Ways of Seeing, John Berger

The difference between oil painting and publicity being oil painting reminds the on-looker/ spectator what he possesses, yet publicity reminds of the spectator what he/she doesn’t possess.

Publicity is to make the spectator marginally dissatisfied with his present way of life. The oil painting showed what its owner is already enjoying among his possessions and his way of life. 

Publicity as a system only makes a single proposal. It proposes to each of us that we transform ourselves, or our lives, by buying something more.

Publicity is about social relations. Not objects. Its promise is not of pleasure, but of happiness: happiness as judged outside by the others. The happiness of being envied is glamour. Publicity is the process of manufacturing glamour. 

All publicity works upon anxiety.

Publicity is the culture of consumer society. Thus," money is life, the power to spend money is the power to live."  Without money, we are faceless.

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Hey M,

Berger wrote it at 1972, when we are yet to be overwhelmed by advertisements and big tech company.