The term was established in 1986 when an environmentalist named Jay Westervelt picked up a card in a hotel room urging customers to be environmentally friendly and reuse towels. He then noted that these institutions weren't living up to the reputation they gave themselves and didn't actually put in the effort to be as environmentally friendly as their cards advertised. Companies use of words to encourage consumers to purchase products is emphasized in the article "Weasel Words: The Art Of Saying Nothing at All" by William Lutz. Lutz explains how in advertisements people use false words that distract or deceive the audience from the bigger picture at hand. Lutz encourages the readers to think and question an advertisement before rushing to buy into it. This essay recounts the different ways advertisers persuade people into buying the product due to the use of "weasel" words. Lutz suggests that people must reflect on these weasel words and it should trigger the buyers to decipher the true meaning of the words being used.
In Kim Severson's essay, "Be It Ever So Homespun, There's Nothing Like Spin," she reflects on the "greenwashing" of America's grocery shelves and the concerning predicament it has on our marketplace. Greenwashing makes "subtle use of specific colors, images, typefaces, and an authentic narrative" (Severson, 436) to sell food although it does not necessarily mean that the contents are organic or even inorganic, just that the packaging accomplished its job of convincing the buyer to purchase that particular food brand. Greenwashed products tend to come from larger companies, while not greenwashed products are generally individually owned industries that are maintained in local businesses. The principal purpose of greenwashing is primarily to persuade consumers to buy the popular brands from well known food companies in order for it to benefit all of the parties involved, but this takes profit away from smaller business owners.
Greenwashing can have a very damaging effect on the world as it tends to discourage consumers and investors to reward companies for their socially responsible behavior which in turn decreases the incentives for the firm to behave as such....
Prior to World War II, shopping was not a major part of American culture. ... The ability to purchase with credit cards and not think about the money leaves many Americans in debt. Americans are saving less and spending more, increasing the bankruptcy level. ... Taking such actions as walking instead of driving, buying ecofriendly products, and recycling can help preserve and maintain our existence. ... In American society, having more is encouraged. ...
Americans have been envied since they have evolved. ... That's why Americans comes in different colors. ... In the 20th century Americans have changed dramatically. ... Americans has a reputation of being lazy and rude. ... In his essay "What is an American" he states that all Americans are of European descent and that people who comes to America lives a better life. ...
The song "America Town" by Five for Fighting tells a tale of contradiction on the positives and negatives of American life. ... "America Town"s lyrics capture a contradicting opinion of American life told through the eyes of the artist. ... But first I"ll take a nap tonight and know someone's looking out for me" shows how the artist is content with the feelings safety that America produces, and the line saying "but first I"ll take a nap tonight" shows how most Americans take for granted the safety in America and how only a certain percentage of Americans actually do anything to protec...
Are Americans really over the plane attacks of September 11? ... The destruction was supposed to rip America apart. ... Some Arab Americans began to discover the other side of American life. Arab Americans started to feel that they were being profiled. ... September 11 is a day that Americans will never forget. ...
Fear has consumed the United States of America. ... America's violence was committed by America's people. ... America has a reputation of self-centeredness and superiority. ... Getting to that point will take as long as Americans push it. ... It is important that Americans overcome their fears. ...
Why can't America just mind their own business, and stop getting involved in everyone else's. ... Is it true though that American is the only super power in the World? Yes, many people believe this, and even if so, they shouldn't get too used to having America always on their back. "Although that belief is reported around the world, our officers attribute that to Americans and not necessarily to the rest of the world's belief." Now this isn't fair, because America has and still is trying to do their best to solve other countries problems, before they even try to solve ...
