minutemen post #1 1-17

Today the readings were thought provoking. I enjoy reading articles that challenge ideas and actions that are commonly accepted as 'just the way things are.' The first article, "Mental Real Estate," was an interesting point of view to take on advertising and the media's influence on our thoughts. However, I don't necessarily see mining for mental real estate as a negative thing. Company's, people, or animals can vie for mental real estate all they want, but if a person does not want to engage they can separate themselves from a majority of conventional forms of media; such as television, radio, art, etc. I think most people aren't motivated enough to seek out things that will interest them and they allow their 'mental real estate' to be taken over by large or small corporations seeking followers.
The ' Tragedy of the Commons' was also an interesting read that I thought made a few good points, but ultimately I do feel as though people should be held responsible for the way they choose to be or not to be influenced.
thank you, virginia*