I swear that all the erect penis images in the limited-release documentary “Programming the Nation?” had nothing to do with my interest in posting this brief review. After all, it’s my job to keep up with the myriad ways that corporations use embedded phallic symbols and many other subliminal messages to promote addictive consumerism and MINE (More Is Not Enough).
The fact that sex sells stuff isn’t news, but “Programming the Nation?” is an in-depth examination of just how this occurs, along with all of the other societal tactics that influence our subconscious desires to want “more, more, more.” It features interviews with such icons as Amy Goodman, Noam Chomsky and Dennis Kucinich, while being careful to simply explore (both proven and unproven) cultural brainwashing rather than make lots of declarations. Between the lines, it recognizes the irony of its important role in counter-brainwashing, just as Postconsumers.com has fun with the irony of building a national brand.
Subliminal messaging is an enormous factor in mass consumerism, and the more we can learn about it (and phalluses) the better. All in all, I think that the movie is pretty sublime.
