A 'pretty' society

Okay, this week's statement of excruciating obviousness is: We live in a society of superficiality. Pretty deep, huh? I thought so too. Let me tell you how I came upon this earth-shattering conclusion.\nThe other day, I found myself exiting my local supermarket and on my way out the door, I looked casually at that green change machine commonly referred to as a Coinstar machine. This wonderful device supposedly changes one's miscellaneous pocket change into cash. How convenient.\nThe thing is, why in all my years as a Marsh shopper had I never seen anyone use this life-altering device? Well, upon closer inspection, I noticed that the machine displayed an attractive person enjoying its convenience. Interesting. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for the onslaught of questions that I would find myself asking a result of this observation. Here are a few of these thoughts:\nGiven: Coinstar is a currency changing machine designed for the beautiful.\nQuestions:\n•Can only pretty people use Coinstar?\n•If you use Coinstar do you become pretty?\n•Are only pretty people intelligent enough to use Coinstar?\n•Am I pretty enough to use Coinstar?\nAs you can see, Coinstar's marketing campaign was lost on me. Instead of inviting me to use its services, I am instead left feeling alienated and generally depressed as a result of the beauty prerequisite required to utilize a this coin-changer.\nBut, what I want to know is this: Is it really necessary to show beautiful people using the everyday items that we are supposed to be buying? Think about it. If they showed Mr. Joe Everyday (or Mrs. Jane) using this device, would it really dissuade you from doing the same? I think not. Besides, its not like by depicting Mr. Joe Everyday that we, the consumer, have to be informed that he is using his cash to go on an all-night bender. I think you see my point. Use everyday people and alleviate me of my alienation. Thanks.\nThis investigation thus lead me to think about other facets of our society. Obviously, advertisers emphasize their products with a clean image -- hence the need for beautiful candidates. But, look at all other aspects of society and you'll see the same thing. Television and movies all have this same malediction. Even look at the newest movie blockbuster, 'Star Wars.' \nEveryone in this movie meets the same beauty prerequisites. Sure, half of them are aliens, but I'm sure they're all supermodels or something on each of their respective planets. Aside from dueling the darkside, I'm willing to bet that each Jedi pauses to pose for billboards, trading cards and marketing campaigns, (The Jedi swimsuit calendar is a huge seller from what I have been told). \nBut criticisms aside, I'm not here to question their ethics, it just makes sense that pretty people with superpowers (i.e. the Jedi) would take the time to make a little extra cash on the side.\nBasically what I'm saying is that our culture has been inundated with a plethora of gorgeous spokesmen and women endorsing every sort of product in the marketable spectrum. But my question is, is this really necessary? \nWould you the consumer really feel discouraged from purchasing a product or service just because they had someone common-looking on the cover? I doubt it. So, the next time you're standing in line at the supermarket with your Mace Windu brand toothpaste and your Yoda trading card, ponder not only my arguments, but also find that lonely Coinstar machine and ask yourself how that little picture inspired this completely insane article.