Are commercials promoting such things as 'clean coal' and high-fructose corn syrup deceptive?
Commercials promoting such things as 'clean coal' and high-fructose corn syrup are deceptive because the companies selling these things are greedy.
Commercials promoting such things as 'clean coal' and high-fructose corn syrup are deceptive because the companies selling these things are greedy. Health advocates have been warning consumer about the ill-effects of consuming high-fructose corn syrup and so the ads that promote them are coming out to try to muddy the waters to keep themselves making a ton of money off people's ignorance. Clean coal is an oxymoron. Coal is not clean and anybody who says it is is being deceptive.
Posted by: JeffP4ri5Commercials promoting things like 'clean coal' and high-fructose corn syrup are deceptive by nature. They are sound bites designed to convert rather than to inform and audience.
A thirty second commercial promoting anything is deceptive. Almost all items for sale do both good and bad things for society. A promotional commercial is going to ignore the cons and emphasize the pros. It is deceptive to present a complex issue in black and white, let alone with just the benefits and none of the costs to society. For example, high-fructose corn syrup does make food less expensive to produce. But this same ingredient is linked to weight gain which could cost society a lot more in health care spending than it saves at the grocery register. Clean coal is also oversimplified, the question is cleaner than what? How clean is clean enough? What metric is being used? Commercials are designed not to inform, but to convert, and therefore are deceptive by nature.
Posted by: 54mP5KryPtoYes, they are deceptive. They gloss over the bad stuff and show sunshine and try to sound vague.
Yes, commercials about clean coal are deceptive, they show a nice sunny day, hard working men in hardhats, just making energy for us like always. There's no mention made of all of the bad things, like the fact that there's no such thing as clean coal. High fructose corn syrup commercials state no facts to say that it is not bad for you, it throws the burden of proof onto the other person, who, of course can't seem to muster up a good comeback for why it's bad for you.
Posted by: PinkMychAll commercials are deceptive, because they are slanted to promote the views of the party paying for the air time.
Consumers need to not take commercials literally. If someone is interested in what the commercial is reporting, then they need to do research on their own to see what is actually true. While I do support clean coal, I do realize there is some down sides to it. However, the benefits we reap from powering our country on coal are affordable and, right now, there is not another viable alternative out there.
Posted by: ScrawnyNormand46Cleaner coal and small amounts of things that are bad for you are still not good for you, and should not be promoted as healthy choices.
I agree that promoting things that are bad for you and the environment as healthy choices is deceptive. The fact that they are better than a worse alternative does not mean that they good choices that should be encouraged. "Clean coal" is not really clean, because the toxins are only filtered out of the waste to be disposed of later in a "safer" manner. High fructose corn syrup contributes to obesity and diabetes, among other health problems. It is still bad for you in small amounts. Small amounts are preferable to large servings, but there are many other healthier options.
Posted by: EmptyMauricio50Commercials promoting 'clean coal' and high-fructose corn syrup are deceptive.
I believe that commercials promoting such things as 'clean coal' and high-fructose corn syrup are manipulative and deceptive to consumers. It is commonly known that a number of researches have been conducted by reputable institutions and organizations which prove quite the contrary. Clean coal is generally considered to be an umbrella term masking the unclean truth behind coal energy companies. High-fructose corn syrup is universally alleged to be both detrimental to health and harmful to diets.
Posted by: CI3GiggIyI agree that commercials promoting things like "clean coal" and HFCS are deceptive.
Commercials are short and meant to persuade the viewer to believe the side of the advertiser or at least find out more about that side of the argument. However, commercials like these are never balanced and never explain the reality behind these products. Clean coal still involves the use of coal, but includes filters to reduce its impact on the atmosphere. It doesn't stop the coal from damaging the environment at all. No matter which side of the HFCS debate you're advertising about, it won't tell the whole truth because scientists have had conflicting results in experiments about the effects of HCFS on the human body. I am opposed to any commercial that misleads the consumer, and therefore, I agree that commercials promoting these products are deceptive.
Posted by: N3rIamaAdvertising has always been deceptive and it's up to the consumer to keep themselves informed as to the hazards of the goods they are using.
Greed is the goal of most companies and they will say anything they can get away with to sell a product. Clean burning coal? High fructose syrup? We've seen the results of coal polluting the environment and we can't begin to know the affect of high fructose corn syrup, however, it can't be good in the long run. People should try to be informed of the products they are using and not take an advertisers word that a product is safe.
Posted by: ShoPPingGaIIaCommercials for "clean coal" and high fructose corn syrup are deceptive because their ONLY goal is to promote the use or purchase of their products.
The Oxford Dictionary definition of "commercial" includes: "intended to produce profits rather than to be of artistic or scholarly merit."
The sole purpose of a commercial is to influence the viewer/reader/listener to purchase or use the product being advertised. There is, in fact, a dis-incentive for the advertiser to present a balanced, truthful or unbiased case for his product or service.
In the specified cases of clean coal and high fructose corn syrup, the glut of advertising produced recently has been in response to criticism of these two products.
A case has been made that there is no such thing as "clean coal," and that additionally any method for extracting coal from the earth is environmentally destructive. The recent advertisements by coal interests have attempted either to deal directly with these objections or to deflect our attention through fear: if we don't use coal as a fuel source we are playing into the hands of "foreign interests."
In the case of high fructose corn syrup, regardless of the scientific evidence that our bodies process different forms of sugar differently, the commercials we see assure us that "don't worry your little heads, after all sugar is sugar, right?" Yes, this is deceptive.Posted by: CI3IikeYes, these commercials are deceptive because in most cases, there are claims proving the opposite of what they are telling you.
High Fructose Corn Syrup commercials are deceptive because there are studies that show it can cause certain types of cancer and even diabetes. The commercial does not tell you that, though, do they? No, they act like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. In a way, it is like damage control. They know there is bad press out there so they want to create a nice shiny image with cheesy, misleading commercials.
Posted by: I33IessYes, because "clean coal" is an oxymoron, plain and simple, and is nothing but a trick to try and gain support.
The re-branding of certain industries as more "eco-friendly" or "green" is a cynical charade meant to trick people into supporting their business. The bottom line, not the environment, is paramount to many companies proclaiming the virtues of "clean coal". There are many alternatives to coal that are far more "clean" and, using the descriptor "clean coal", is like saying "least painless root canal". Hijacking buzzwords that once stood for morally good causes (e.g. green, clean, etc.) is one of the most insidious ways that savvy marketers present something as possessing the virtues it is diametrically opposed to. Shame on marketers everywhere.
Posted by: C Valentine 83Yes, because they are commercials put out to counter the factual concerns behind their products, as a means of confusing the consumer.
These ads are clearly deceptive, as there is absolutely no such thing as clean coal. In addition to the polluting by products that are still released into the environment, there is additional pollution when coal is mined, transported and disposed of. As far as high fructose corn syrup, it has no benefits and is a direct cause of the increase in childhood diabetes and obesity and should be removed from most products.
Posted by: daveyxhI believe commercials promoting clean coal and high fructose syrup are deceptive, because these ads are self-serving.
I believe commercials promoting clean coal and high fructose syrup are deceptive, because these ads are self-serving. First off, clean coal is an oxymoron. Some companies just use these "eco-friendly" words to create buzz. Secondly, there are a lot of articles stating that high fructose corn syrup is not healthy. Using this term in ads shows the company's poor integrity to providing quality products.
Posted by: SecondNoel50Commercials are normally deceptive in nature.
Commercialism is and has been one of the biggest deceptive devices in this country. Every day people are fooled into purchasing products that are misleading as being one thing when they are another. Our government needs to start holding these companies responsible when it comes to adds promoting false advertisements. They have been getting away with it for way too long and the public has to pay in the long run.
Posted by: SlipArnalYes, because these ads are self-serving, and other sources disagree with their content.
If you were to type in "clean coal" or "high fructose corn syrup" on the Internet, you would be able to read viewpoints that greatly differ from these self-promoting ads. They are nowhere near as wonderful as the promoters of these two products advertise them to be. The disadvantages and negative results of these products are not mentioned in the ads.
Posted by: NettN355Clean coal and MHD
MHD generators were proven decades ago. Google it. The Russians are using them. Our country is rich in coal and this technique would let us use this energy source with a LOT less pollution than conventional burning. It's not lack of knowledge stopping them. It's political crap. Ask your congressman where MHD generators for clean coal are. Ask why it's OK for China but not us. Ask why we should sign the Kyoto accords when North America is a carbon SINK?
Posted by: AnonymousCommercials promoting clean coal and high fructose corn syrup and the like are a bit deceptive because they skew the information to fit their products.
I believe that some commercials for items like high fructose corn syrup and clean coal are a bit deceptive because they use only the information that promotes their agenda. I know that all advertising does that, but these type of items have a political leaning and are promoting an overall political viewpoint. Only the information that helps their cause is used and that skews that thinking of society and misinforms to a degree.
Posted by: SascM0nThese advertisements provide misinformation and have glaring omissions.
These advertisements are clearly deceptive. At best, they omit vital information. For example, the fact that there is no real "clean coal" technology yet is never mentioned. By the same token, the advertisements for high fructose corn syrup never discuss the fact that doctors uniformly agree that it is incredibly fattening and unhealthy.
Posted by: P4cBran
No, because they are not saying that they are great items, they just don't focus on the negative aspects.
Well, I can see why some may think they are being deceptive. However, take corn syrup, for example. They are simply telling you all of the positive things about it, instead of focusing on the negative. They are not claiming to be good for you, just that they are not going to cause any serious harm to you in moderation. It's the same with potato chips. Chips are not "good" for you, but they taste good and are fine, if eaten in moderation.
Posted by: 5h4yGloryI believe that common sense would lead most people to not be deceived by advertising gimmicks.
Every one knows that products high in corn syrup are not good for you. People also know that black smoke tar producing coal will never be safe to breathe. Tobacco and Liquor manufacturers market their products. Who doesn't know that isn't good for them? Once again this boils down to self accountability.
Posted by: TaraThi