a fine line

We've watched two film clips recently in my Mass Media class. One was about Hitler's propaganda films and the other was about Coca Cola's international marketing. It was unsettling to me how much these two have in common.

Now, before you start writing angry comments about how I shouldn't compare the horrors of Nazi Germany with something as trivial as soft drinks, let me say that I'm not putting the two on the same level.

But I need to ask why we view Hitler's propaganda war against the mentally and physically frail as a menacing evil, but sit passively as Coca Cola wages cultural warfare across the globe?

Why are persuasive tactics deemed sinister or saintly based on the motives of the speaker? What exactly is the difference between propaganda and public relations?

It keeps moving when I try to put my finger on it.

the emperor's new bracelet

Last week I got my first rubber cause-supporting bracelet. It's for ending family violence.

It doesn't really count, though, because I didn't even pay for it. All I did was show up at the grand opening for some women's housing.

That's why these bracelets kind of bug me.

I understand that they work really well to make people who do work to support a cause feel good about themselves, and that they are positive peer pressure, but they are also a fashion trend, and a little too easy to come by if you ask me.

Anyone can pay ten bucks at some boutique in the mall and proceed to walk around with a little rubber bracelet in their favorite colour, saying "look, I'm a good person. I support a worthy cause."

Will they even remember what that cause is later, without having to read it off the bracelet?

I don't think I'm going to wear mine. It's way too big for my wrist and gets in my way. I can feel good knowing that I support all kinds of good causes as a donor, volunteer and employee without any bracelets.