Pop-up ads and border ads are how the Internet is funded, no doubt about it.
The ad that caught my eye this morning had a huddled figure in a gray landscape with the caption:
If you died today, who would take care of your family?
Which got me thinking -- not in the way the marketers intended.
If I died today, my family would be fine. Seriously. I have insurance that would cover the burial expenses and take care of some counseling, if needed. All my children are grown and have busy lives of their own. The small income I have is not in any way relied on for managing our household.
So, the fear and guilt the ad is meant to inspire so that I would run out and buy more or better life insurance fails miserably in my case.
However, the ad *did* make me feel something-- uncomfortable, sad.
If I died tomorrow, it seems, it would make no difference at all.
Yesterday, Oprah announced that she will be ending her TV show in about a year and a half, and it was MAJOR NEWS.
My life? not so much.
3 comments:
When I was growing up, you taught me many wonderful lessons. Once of the most important of these was that money and material possessions are not particularly good indicators of actual success or happiness. It is within our relationships with other people that true meaning can be found.
So, you're right. You are not currently counted on for financial support or talk show hosting. But, those aren't the most important responsibilities in the world. Instead, you are sought out and appreciated by many for your emotional support, your wit, your wisdom, your talent and your love.
Love always,
Adam
I think one of the most harmful things about our culture is the emphasis it places on other people's attention. Things only count if someone is watching, and approving, and shining lights and pointing cameras.
Of course, it's not true. It's just one of those poisonous social ideas, right up there with money will make you happy, and men determine how good you are at being a woman.
Our relationships, our love, our ideas, our struggles...these don't make the news. They are the only things that really matter, though.
If you died today, your family would not be financially devastated, true. But they'd still be devastated. And it wouldn't be because their lives depended on you for sustanance...it would be because they love you.
I think Adam and Megan already said it all very well (and I'm very behind on all of my blog reading - sorry for my delayed comment). But to add my own two cents...
The folks advertising the insurance are driven by one thing: money. You are driven by many things: love, art, curiosity, education, nurturing, and on and on and on. It comes down to what we really value - money, fame, or an actual person.
Put another way: if I were to die tomorrow, I would actually be leaving you and Dad some money. Not enough to start a hospital or anything, but some money. I wouldn't be leaving behind any children, spouse, or talk show program. Does that mean I would leave no void? That you'd be better off, because while you wouldn't have me, hey, you'd have my life savings?
Didn't think so.
Love you,
Beth
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