Wisdom Comes with Age Youth

Once again, (see previous rant here) a hidden society destroying agenda comes to light in something disguised as entertainment or advertising.

Kraft has launched a new ad campaign for their star product Miracle Whip with the tag-line "Keep An Open Mouth." The first version of this campaign features angry villagers with pitch-forks and torches converging on a colonial house. It has an intentionally distinct "Witch Hunt" tone (as is proven by the title of the ad). The door of the house is opened by a 13 or 14 year old girl. Well, here, you might as well watch it rather than have me describe it for you:



And what do we learn from this piece? Once again the youth of society are bestowing wisdom upon the aged. It is the very people in the community who should be most respected who are blinded by prejudice and rage. The youth challenges them and they answer with ignorance and hearsay. After scolding them for their closed-mindedness the youth turns and returns to the house. As the posse leaves the youngest of the adults begins to see the light.

Why does our society so worship at the alter of youth? What is it about postmodernism that it instructs us to exchange the wisdom that comes with age for the self-righteous sophomoric views that are prevalent in youth? And so the question becomes: Does the media shape our views on society or merely reflect them?

When researching this post I stumbled upon a site called The Inspiration Room. That is where I found the second installment of this ad campaign:



Surprisingly, this episode is not quite as egregious as the first. Here the person portrayed as being "in the right" appears to be approaching middle-age while the most out-spoken ignorant towns-people appear to be the political leaders. A potential redeeming aspect is that the Reverend of the community has actually kept an open mind. The manner in which the villagers react to the "MW" emblem, however, still makes it seem as though the Reverend has done something obscene, rather than leading his flock in something good and proper.

The most ironic aspect of all of this is the tag-line. "Keep an open mouth" is an obvious play on "keep an open mind." And the message is that we ought to keep an open mind regarding all things, except the wisdom and traditions of previous generations. If we aren't going to rebel against those, we should, at the very least, ignore them.

When we look around and wonder why our society shouts for entitlements, can't stay out of debt, and obeys its hormonal urges rather than controls them we need look no further than our unquestioned adoration and idolatry of youth.

Credits

The Open Mouth campaign was developed at mcgarrybown, Chicago, by chief creative officer Ned Crowley, group creative directors Dave Reger and Michael Straznikas, copywriter Tyler Campbell, and art director Brant Herzer.

Filming was shot in Romania by director Joachim Back via Park Pictures with executive producer Jackie Kelman Bisbee, director of production Lisa Burke Snyder, producer Katie Juras.

Editing was done at Whitehouse Post by producer Laurie Adrianopoli, editor Rick Lawley.