Jesus D. Mena, Jr.

Society has become so one-sided in its thinking that many are removing their own accountability for day-to-day activities, including responding to advertising. We’ve become overly sensitive that every little thing offends someone in some group.

A perfect example came earlier this year with Diet Pepsi’s reveal of their new “skinny” can. In actuality, this is just a brand making a marketing decision to provide new packaging. However, the use of the apparently evil “S” word has drawn the ire of some.

“Pepsi should be ashamed for declaring that skinny is to be celebrated."
- CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, Lynne Grefe.

Pay close attention to the wording here as she did not say “that only skinny should be celebrated.” Why shouldn’t skinny be “celebrated”? Many people have worked hard to maintain their health and/or size. This type of work ethic should be “celebrated”. Why is it that only those who may not be in the best shape, and fully accepting of this fact, can be “celebrated” for their bodies?

This brings us back to the original question. Why is this controversial? Everyone should be accountable for their own choices and decisions. I assure you that Diet Pepsi will deal with the potential upswing, or downfall, from this new marketing scheme. So why don’t we hold consumers to the same standards? Have we really come to point where we are being told that a beverage can presents a bad body image? What if that image is, by definition, a positive one?

The story for years has been that society has become desensitized by media and advertising. I present this as proof to the opposite. We have become so sensitive that we allow a soda can to create major controversy. We have become so sensitive that we allow a soda can to bring us to state that “skinny” is a bad thing. Most of us need to get over ourselves, and if we don’t like what’s on, just change the channel, turn the page or just buy another product.

How do you feel about the new skinny can?

Graphic Credit:
Animationfactory.com