interdependency (sp?)

In light of the fact that I prematurely posted about H&A last week, I guess I have to come up with a new theme of theirs to be cynical about. In class we talked about how H&A discus the culture industry and its relation to the institution of capitalism, coupled with the role that it plays in our society today. And there was a point brought up that was very to the point, talking about how we will never be able to rid ourselves of the intellectual slavery that has come about as a result of consumerism. The culture of consumption, and all of it’s subcultures, are so ingrained in the structural system of our economy that they have almost become part of the foundation, to the point where if we lost any part of it we would have serious economic issues as a result (ironic time to be speaking of this). This past summer the FAA tried to ban all advertising in television shows. Not the commercials, but the product placement in shows. Unfortunately, this didn’t work (or hasn’t thus far). While I don’t know all of the details in this plan, I do know that if that were to happen, thousands and thousands of jobs would be lost, and a source of income for the government would go with it. It’s scary how interdependent we are on some of the things that hurt us the most, such as advertising. Consumerism and Uncle Sam go hand in hand, but I’m not telling you anything new here. So if the problem isn’t going to go away, then what can we do to thwart its damage? Education? Yeah like we’re so strong in that area as well. Regulation? Well that might not work when the people enforcing the rules are also depending on them to be broken. Anyone? Any Ideas? Maybe I should take some medication and relax a bit, topics like this make me a complete cynic. Intellectual survival is doomed and china will Rule the world one day. Have a good night.