Perhaps it was banned because the network executives had their heads up their asses and felt that it hit a little too close to home. That would be my guess. Maybe there’s a [...]]]> Even though I shan’t be watching the Super Bowl today, I thought I’d note the occasion by posting this banned ad:

Perhaps it was banned because the network executives had their heads up their asses and felt that it hit a little too close to home. That would be my guess. Maybe there’s a subtle, subliminal sexual connotation there. There could be very flexible men out there who get a sexual thrill out of placing their head inside their own anus.

There’s a third, much less likely explanation. It may have been banned because it degrading to men. In advertising and sitcoms, men, particularly married men, are usually portrayed as completely clueless idiots. You rarely, if ever, see women portrayed in that manner because if they did, women’s groups would pitch a bitch about it being sexist and degrading to women. Portraying women as stupid and clueless is sexist while portraying men that way is high comedy. Yet men don’t complain. The wife says, “That’s just like my husband.” The husband smiles sheepishly and says, “Yes, Dear. You’re right.” Maybe we are clueless idiots.

For what it’s worth…

Trying to change cultural norms is what social engineering is all about. What gives a minority the right to try to manipulate the norms of the majority in that way?

Does a minority have the right to try to manipulate the cultural norms of the majority? I don't know but isn't nearly all social change brought about by some minority attempting to change existing cultural norms? How about women's suffrage, civil rights, gay rights, to name a few changed cultural norms? Have majorities throughout history had epiphanies and just decided that commoners should be able to own land, women should be able to vote, blacks should have equal rights, and gays should be accepted?

Social engineering occurs all the time. Sometimes it's called public relations, sometimes advertising, sometimes entertainment, and sometimes it's not quite so subtle. Whatever you call it, it boils down to social engineering. Governments, corporations, religions, and special interest groups all engage in it. Apparently this commenter feels it's OK for the majority or those who represent (or claim to represent) the majority to use social engineering but forbid a minority from doing the same.

The majority generally has no vested interest in changing cultural norms. Their vested interest is in maintaining the status quo.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!" — Margaret Meade