Part 2
The Penis In Advertising:
American's supposedly live in a free country with freedom of speech but it is still illegal in many states to say "penis" on television. On a penis enlargement pill commercial featuring Ron Jeremy, a porno actor during the 70's and 80's, you will find them saying "that certain part of the male anatomy" being an obvious reference to the male genitalia. Are these lawmakers that ashamed of their penis to uphold such damaging laws? Don't they see that they are not a solution to the sexual problem but rather a part of the cause? In Europe sexuality is seen as a normal, beautiful function of humanity. The penis can be shown on TV and there are no laws limiting the language and we see a much lower rate of sexual mental dysfunction. I ask, did the United States forget about the constitution? With rape statistics over the last 2 years in the United States reaching more than 700,000 doesn't the government see their approach to sexuality just isn't working?
Even with mainstream media we will find the same shell game of illusion through language, [words=http://www.
phallosan.com/shop/catalog/default.php?z=eNortjIxtVKyL0pNszWxMFcrSSxKTy2JL0hMT7U1UisoykyxtbBQSy4tLsnPjS8uKcrMS7dVsgZcMMpbEbo%2C]ads[/words] and commercials, television shows, movies and magazines. We see this in underwear [words=http://www.
phallosan.com/shop/catalog/default.php?z=eNortjIxtVKyL0pNszWxMFcrSSxKTy2JL0hMT7U1UisoykyxtbBQSy4tLsnPjS8uKcrMS7dVsgZcMMpbEbo%2C]ads[/words] where the models are portrayed as larger than life. This may be a marketing angle where these companies believe a man will buy their underwear in hopes to look like the model but it usually does not happen this way. Men will usually compare themselves to these models and feel inadequacy. Even though most of these [words=http://www.
phallosan.com/shop/catalog/default.php?z=eNortjIxtVKyL0pNszWxMFcrSSxKTy2JL0hMT7U1UisoykyxtbBQSy4tLsnPjS8uKcrMS7dVsgZcMMpbEbo%2C]ads[/words] contain digital alteration or a simple stuffing of the underwear a man still takes this as a reality. We see in the next picture, we see an attractive male with an overly large bulge. Even though this bulge is shaped nothing like a normal, flaccid penis many men will not see this, they will only see themselves in comparison.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jDLD-eOuoksyY0EZwTN5NQ?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedaswGkkI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/QVs38eEkG1M/s400/CalvinK.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
Everywhere we look we are reminded of size. It has become a marketing tool. This is seen in TROJAN CONDOMS [words=http://www.
phallosan.com/shop/catalog/default.php?z=eNortjIxtVKyL0pNszWxMFcrSSxKTy2JL0hMT7U1UisoykyxtbBQSy4tLsnPjS8uKcrMS7dVsgZcMMpbEbo%2C]ads[/words] featuring the larger sized Magnum Condoms. Do condoms need to be any bigger? Of course not. On my public forums there is a video showing a man take a normal sized condom and stretching it over his head. So why do the condom companies promote a larger condom? Simple, it plays on the insecurities of men and lines their pockets with more money. Imagine this for a second; you are in a drug store and a very attractive woman is the cashier. You need to buy condoms and you make your way over to the massive collection of different prophylactics. There are many condoms to choose from, all priced about the same but the TROJAN Magnums catch your eye...LARGER CONDOMS and the first thought is "what will the cashier think if I don't buy the larger condoms?" Even though the condoms may cost several dollars more you still buy them to avoid embarrassment. The perfect sales tactic. The Magnum box as seen below is pure marketing genius. A fear tactic that guarantees them a larger profit margin at the expense of insecure men.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B3oCEZwrd2fm42gqHRBumQ?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQeda4HzikI/AAAAAAAAA-g/asZQLxGJz_c/s400/Magnum%20COndoms.gif" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
This type of reminder is not just used in the sale of sexual products, we see it in everyday life. Around every corner another indirect way of promoting products using penis size is lurking. Is it any wonder men are obsessed with their penis when the entire world is?
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RXCll99dCOi9JoR0OgpmyA?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQeda_P7b4I/AAAAAAAAA-o/ZQsdc4IBHC4/s400/guypeeing.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
Seen below are a few products that promote on the premiss of size wielding the slogan SIZE MATTERS. This is obvious and in my opinion carry no subconscious illusions. They simply state the most popular reference to the penis: SIZE MATTERS. I am more concerned with the subliminal, the web of deceit that many companies use without the consumer consciously knowing.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KU1Uew2WZz-QacNidHjSBw?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedbUNHnpI/AAAAAAAAA-w/yCOHgmq7ckM/s400/guiness.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/818VjGneMSvWT2lsx43HYQ?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedbipNeII/AAAAAAAAA-4/zIj8uXTa9bw/s400/Limo.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lb1egggrOIBbdtqxSsDnyQ?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedrTLI04I/AAAAAAAAA_A/8kKq6OeFKZ0/s400/apple.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MJsE7xYc5Oc2B-54RvPeLg?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedreau8uI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Me8FMahSXf0/s400/trojanshirt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
The use of suggestive language has been used in advertisements for many years. The product may have nothing to do with sexuality but the language used suggests sexuality. This type of marketing is not limited to adults 18 and over, it is used in marketing to children. In the next series of slogan lines we will see different companies using sexual innuendo's, mainly fallacies to promote and sell their products:
Alkaseltzer: Pop, pop, fizz, fizz...Oh, what a relief it is...
All State: In good hands.
army: be all that you can be.
AT&T: reach out and touch someone.
Bacardi: taste the feeling.
Beatles: now a quarter smaller than it used to be.
BIC Lighter: Go ahead flic my bick
Big Red: it lasts longer with Big Red.
Burger King: have it your way
Butterfinger: No body better day a finger on my Butterfinger
Cambells soup: mmm mmm good
Charmin: Don't squeeze The Charmin!
Charmin double roll: It lasts longer because it IS longer.
Chevy Truck: Like a rock!
Chips Ahoy: bite a chip.
Diet Coke: Just for The taste of it...
Doublemint: chewing really satisfies.
Edge Shaving cream: ultimate closeness, ultimate comfort.
Ego: Leggo my Ego
Energizer: It keeps going and going
ERTL: just like The real thing, only smaller.
Excedrin: It's tthhhhiiiiiiissss big.
Extra: lasts an extra extra extra long time
Flintstone's vitamins: strong and growing
Folger's Crystals: best part of wakin up is a in your cup.
George of The jungle: watch out for that.......tree?
Gilette: The best a man can get.
Jell-o: look at it wiggle, look at it jiggle.
Jolly Green *Giant*
Juicyfruit: The taste is gonna move ya.
Kentucky Fried Chicken: needs a little?
Kix: tested, mother approved.
Lays: Betcha can't eat just one.
Life Savers: Five fruity flavors.
Macintosh: power is everything.
Mazda: It just feels right.
McDonald's: 8 billion served.
Micro Machines: a whole world, in The palm of your hand.
Milk: it does a body good.
M&M: melts in your mouth, not in your hand
Monte Carlo: you'll always remember it
Mr. Clean: Is it wet or is it dry?
Nike: just do it.
Nintendo: you're playing with power.
Nokia: Connecting people.
Nuprin: Little, Yellow, Different.
Nyquil: nighttime coughing, sneezing, runny-nose, itching, burning, so you can't rest.
Phillips: let's make things better
Pringles: once you pop, you can't stop
purdue: more meat, less bone.
Ragu: chunkier than The rest.
Right guard: anything less is uncivilized
Robitussin: by nine out of ten moms.
Sanka: Good to The last drop
Secret: strong enough for a man, ph balanced for a woman.
Snickers: It satisfies you.
Sprite: Image is nothing...Taste is everything.
Starburst: The juice is loose.
Swiss Miss: The taste you can enjoy anytime, anywhere!
Timex: takes a lickin and keeps on.......
Tootsie Roll: How many licks DOES it take...?
Toyota: love what you do for me.
Transformers: more than meets The eye.
Twizzler: makes mouths happy.
Virginia Slims: you've come a long way, baby.
Wendy's: where's The beef?
Wonder bubbles: Magic wand inside!
Yellow pages: Let your fingers do The walkin.
Although these slogans are not as evasive as others they still work on a sexual premiss. A reminder that triggers a line of thought. In some people it may go unnoticed but in others it provokes negativity.
A recent series of commercials for the AXE body spray use penis suggestion on many levels. One commercial (see image below) portrays a multi level apartment complex. A thick pipe runs the distance from the ground floor up traveling through many apartments. On each level there are females dressed in sexy clothing hugging the pipe. Some straddle it while others hug and rub it. As the camera pans up through the floors we see the same actions by the females. When it reaches the top floor there is a man in a shower where the pipe ends. This commercial is disturbing on many levels but the area I would like to focus on is how it effects men and the size of there penis. Most men would not consciously degrade their penis size due to this commercial but subconsciously the information is doing it's intended job; using fear of size as a way of selling their product. Men will find the commercial amusing, as will women but there is a deeper, more sinister message happening. First, most men will unknowingly walk away feeling inadequate about their size. They will also feel as though woman desire immense size, who can compete with a penis that spans a length of 5 floors? The subliminal effect will emerge when the man goes shopping next. He will see the phallic shaped can of AXE in in many cases buy it. Has anyone noticed how quickly AXE has cornered the male, body spray market?
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6m9uCxxjli10sp_S4DoFHQ?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedreZsvuI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/0AFA2APrFT4/s144/womanpole.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
In this next magazine ad for AXE, whether you can read the language or not, makes many implications about the penis and size. First notice the exaggerated bulge in the male models pants, whether it is real or not the message comes across strong; females prefer a massive penis. Next look where the female model is looking, directly at the man's penis again reinforcing "the big penis" as a females preference. Next, and perhaps the most damaging, is the position of the male models right hand. His fingers depict the most over used implication of a small penis. He is looking directly at the viewer with his fingers showing a tiny measurement. The female also wears a shirt the reads "iresistable" another factor tied to her line of vision towards the penis. Finally the 2 AXE cans suggest another phallus oriented message with a longer and shorter versions of the product...Bigger is Better.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4dHRQzgK9osrWpa7WK-fTg?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedrf3VRyI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/AklAfL6wBio/s400/axe.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
In this next advertisement for AXE we see the products with a tag line "The AXE Effect". The center visual point is a bolt suggesting an erection. The accompanying nuts suggest 2 lines of thought, a female's vagina or a man's testicles.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v9_Oepce9UDO3J8pzRKO9A?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQedrU6qzaI/AAAAAAAAA_g/2tUtrHjB2-0/s400/nutsbolts.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
In this next advertisement men are again reminded of the importance of a big penis to woman. The picture of the product on the lower right suggests a penis, the
package, and testicles, the 2 pieces of gum. Notice how the product is in line with the females genitalia or anus, another hidden sexual innuendo. Lastly, and most obvious, is the products name, "Big Red". WHen combined with all other components it becomes a penile, marketing stroke of genius.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_Jw4RHn4cSDrgJZiNkBN9Q?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQee1JIkOqI/AAAAAAAAA_o/NFwgFWyvMKI/s400/bigred.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
Even in [words=http://www.
phallosan.com/shop/catalog/default.php?z=eNortjIxtVKyL0pNszWxMFcrSSxKTy2JL0hMT7U1UisoykyxtbBQSy4tLsnPjS8uKcrMS7dVsgZcMMpbEbo%2C]ads[/words] from the earlier part of the 1900's use penile suggestion to sell products. This travel ad for Yosemite portrays a female skiing down a mountain. In her hands is an extremely long poll. She is holding the poll with 2 hands, something many men crave with their mate and their penis. The poll itself disappears between the females legs again suggesting sexuality.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vIklkd44a7xlJL2gRMWhdw?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/GURU.DLD/SQee1cNbWNI/AAAAAAAAA_w/v54bx0IuD-E/s400/Yosemite.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GURU.DLD/BloggerPictures?authkey=gFMWz7wsAAw">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></table>
Movie & TV Examples
In recent years, jokes and anecdotes about penises and penis size have increased in Western culture. Popular women's shows such as Sex and the City and Ally McBeal devoted several episodes to penis size, suggesting that a larger penis is preferable. Critical observers point out, however, that the writers of these shows were largely male, sometimes gay males, so their portrayal of realistic female preferences are suspect.
Other examples:
• Ally McBeal S1, E12, "Cro-Magnon Man" - Ally (Calista Flockhart) falls for a nude model with a huge penis. (story continued in Episodes 13 and 21); S4, E1, "Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts" - Ally breaks up with a man because he has a tiny penis, "like a pop-up chicken thermometer".
• Along Came Polly Debra Messing eyes get wide open while checking out a naked man's penis on the beach while on her honeymoon. Then later in the movie ends up cheating on her husband with the same naked man.
• American Beauty - Mena Suvari questions her friend about the size of her boyfriend's penis.
• Boogie Nights - Various females comment on Dirk's penis.
• Dream Lover - Mädchen Amick confesses that's she's cheated on her husband with a guy who has a "huge cock".
• Foxy Brown - Foxy (Pam Grier) makes fun of "little-dicked white guys".
• Futurama - Leela, upon spotting Fry's penis, comments on what women had to put up with before genetic engineering.
• Human Nature - Patricia Arquette leaves her "tiny penis" boyfriend for a well endowed man.
• Sex and the City - Mr. Big storyline; S2, E18, "Ex and the City" -This time it's a penis that's too big; S2, E2,"The Awful Truth", Samantha (Kim Cattrall) finds it hard to tell her boyfriend that his penis is too small. In another episode Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) says "Women don't care. We care about nice arms, great eyes, a big dick..."
• The Sweetest Thing - Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate and Selma Blair discuss penis size. In a later scene Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate are seen with a look of amazement on their faces when they see Selma Blair's boyfriend naked.
• Caroline in the City: Del discovers that Caroline's ex is better endowed than he is, and as a result becomes more anxious in the bedroom.
• Coupling - Sally (Kate Isitt) becomes interested in Patrick once she finds out that he has a massive penis, she instantly wants to have sex with him, but is conflicted on whether or not to because of his political views. Sally coined the term "Patricked" as the past passive tense of a verb involving sex with Patrick.
• Moulin Rouge! - Nicole Kidman pulls down Ewan Macgregor's trousers and exclaims "big boy!" with a look of delight on her face.
• Degrassi: The Next Generation - In the locker rooms, J.T., who was then dating Manny, discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Craig, is much better endowed than he is. This causes J.T. some distress, eventually leading to him purchasing and using a "penis pump." Manny catches him attempting to use the device, and goes through with her already-made decision to break up with him, taking it as a sign of his immaturity. She later tells him the reason that she ended their relationship was that he couldn't "be the bigger man," clearly a reference to the fact that she was more worried about his childish behavior than his penis size, but also a barb she knew would aggravate his insecurities.
• There's Something About Mary - In the restaurant/bar scene Mary is chatting with three of her female friends about personal [words=http://www.
phallosan.com/shop/catalog/default.php?z=eNortjIxtVKyL0pNszWxMFcrSSxKTy2JL0hMT7U1UisoykyxtbBQSy4tLsnPjS8uKcrMS7dVsgZcMMpbEbo%2C]ads[/words] seeking men. One of the women suggests an ad should read: "Seeking deaf mute with three-pound cock and trust fund."
• HBO Original Series Rome: Episode 6 ('Egerian') - 'After collapsing into a fit of sobs, Atia shifts her focus towards making amends with Servilia, who she will need "when Caesar is defeated." She enlists her daughter Octavia to bring the noble woman a naked man with a large penis.'
Tomorrow: Part 3
Photography and Video Distortion