Some time
ago, I was in charge of explaining the topic “false analogy”. Considering the
magnitude of this huge “imposition” --it was very simple really-- I began looking
for some information; hence, in my research, I found a commercial that exposed
the issue, but what really called my attention was the idea behind of making an
analogy between an ice-cream and a car.
If my
goal is to encourage people to buy a car, why would I compare it to an
ice-cream to promote it? We all know that cars, from the basic one to the top
one, are bounded with doors, headlights, mirrors, grilles, step bumpers, hoods,
etc, and ice-creams are formed by a cone and a tasty cream that can vary
depending on the flavor. So, is there any chance to compare them?
Given the
complexity of this question, which at one point I felt unable to answer, I
considered my mom’s opinion that inspired me to think of this: On the one hand,
the ice-cream represents the things we are used to postpone in our lives,
because we take them for granted; in addition, it is always difficult to make
decisions and sometimes we tend to justify ourselves in order avoid them for
whatever reason. On the other hand, the car represents the ultimate thing a
person can aspire and it’s affordable, but it’s the man’s decision to buy it.
I agree with your mother, I think that the comparison between the ice cream and the car is not based on their physical appearance but on the feelings that our desires provoke on us; anyway, I guess that the relation between these elements is not related to what you can or cannot afford; is something commercial; they are trying to convince you by telling you: “Hey! He has been living his entire life without eating ice cream, you shouldn’t stop yourself of getting what you want; if you desire something just obtain it (or buy it);” at the same time, it has a lovely “carpe diem” message: enjoy your life and don’t waste it dreaming and get what you want.”
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