So many unrealistic images are promoted through media be it with regard to body image, material possessions, hyper-sexualization, etc. and all of it is used to promote products.
If advertising didn't influence the decision making processes of large numbers of human beings, it wouldn't be a multi-billion dollar industry.
Imagine a can of a cola drink, what brand is it?...
The first thing that probably came into your mind was coca-cola, or pepsi... you've been conditioned by media to do just that.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201008/what-does-advertising-doIf some people are stupid enough to extrapolate these images into a conception of a positive, healthy lifestyle then they can starve/steroid/sex themselves to death for all I care. I have very little sympathy for their "hardships".
Do you currently engage in mild or extremely self-destructive behaviour (ie., punching a wall when angry, smoking, etc), why do you persist despite conscious knowledge that it's self-destructive?
Evidence from neurology, cognitive and social psychology suggests that contra-causal free-will is a myth, and - as shown by your responses - it's also a belief that can diminish empathy.
Our decision making processes are determined by our biology, stimulus and environment, not our 'will' - even though we experience our 'conscious will' as primarily determining behaviour, it's simply an experiential illusion unsupported by science.
If you think you have contra-causal free will you're simply deluded...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0dCrnFqpr4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1K_fkEpnOgHere's a quote from a site about naturalism regarding the issue of free will;
Social consequencesBehavioral Health: Mental illness, addiction, obesity, and other behavioral disorders are too often misunderstood as failures of will. Instead, we can understand dysfunctional behavior as fully caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. This understanding reduces the stigma associated with behavioral disorders, while pointing the way toward effective treatment. Naturalism supports the development of psychotherapeutic and self-change techniques that apply a causal view of behavior. Properly presented, challenging conventional wisdom about the self and free will is a powerful means to increase life satisfaction and deepen interpersonal relationships. See Addiction and Behavioral Health. -
http://www.naturalism.org/conseque.htm