Amazing Beat Box Girl

Advertising & PG Wodehouse

I was talking to one of my former students about advertising a few weeks back. I was shocked to find out he was going to make a career of it; advertising that is. I was shocked because I considered him the salt of the earth, and still do btw, and considered advertising something akin to a mental virus.

But after reconsidering, something I have to do a lot of, I've come to a new perspective thanks to my former student and the humorous P G Wodehouse.

The New Advertising, P G Wodehouse

"In Denmark," said the man of ideas, coming into the smoking room, "I see that they have original ideas on the subject of advertising. According to the usually well-informed Daily Lyre, all 'bombastic' advertising is punished with a fine. The advertiser is expected to describe his wares in restrained, modest language. In case this idea should be introduced into England, I have drawn up a few specimen advertisements which, in my opinion, combine attractiveness with a shrinking modesty at which no censor could cavil."

And in spite of our protests, he began to read us his first effort, descriptive of a patent medicine.

"It runs like this," he said:

Timson's Tonic for Distracted Deadbeats

Has been known to cure

We Hate to Seem to Boast,

but

Many Who have Tried It Are Still

Alive

Take a Dose or Two in Your Spare Time

It's Not Bad Stuff

Read what an outside stockbroker says:

"Sir--After three months' steady absorption of your Tonic

I was no worse."

We do not wish to thrust ourselves forward in any way. If you prefer other medicines, by all means take them. Only we just thought we'd mention it--casually, as it were--that TIMSON'S is PRETTY GOOD.

"How's that?" inquired the man of ideas. "Attractive, I fancy, without being bombastic. Now, one about a new novel. Ready?"

MR. LUCIEN LOGROLLER'S LATEST

The Dyspepsia of the Soul

The Dyspepsia of the Soul

The Dyspepsia of the Soul

Don't buy it if you don't want to, but just listen to a few of the criticisms.

THE DYSPEPSIA OF THE SOUL

"Rather ... rubbish."-- Spectator

"We advise all insomniacs to read Mr. Logroller's soporific

pages."-- Outlook

"Rot."-- Pelican

THE DYSPEPSIA OF THE SOUL

Already in its first edition.

"What do you think of that?" asked the man of ideas.

We told him.

Advertising is one of those things we take for granted and put up with and sometimes appreciate when it's done well. "There are somethings money can't by, for everything else there's Mastercard," is especially insidious because it's so good. There are intangible goods that bring unutterable joy. The insidious part is that you're supposed to go on a spending spree with easy credit to get there.

Can we do advertising in a way that honors the imago Dei in all of us? I hope my student and others prove it is so. I'm sure there are already examples out there, but I just can't think of any right now.

Faith Inspires Hope and Love

Grading and resting have kept me away from the blogosphere for awhile, but this dog has brought me back. She reminds me so much of our last dog Sage. The family of Faith is currently taking her to see injured soldiers from the Iraq war who are learning to cope with their disabilities. Faith does inspire hope and love.