Quote
If we can identify exactly when these discontent ads were targeted at specific age groups of children and adolesents, we can then see if this was tied to a corresponding surge in diagnoses for depression in those same age groups.
Next, we can study how prevalent these advertising campaigns are in various parts of Europe and the UK, note which age groups were targeted and whether rates of diagnosis for depression also go up.
Yes, I think that would be very difficult to correlate. Were the ads responsible for depression? Or was a population trend towards depression noticed and marketed against by the ad agencies?
Also, is there actually more depression in the US now, or is there just greater awreness of depression and more discourse about it, so it [i:24d126c808]seems[/i:24d126c808] like there's more of it? Are more people being diagnosed with depression because it means more profit for counselors/drug companies?
I do think there's a societal condition that's making people more open to cultic influence. Or am I wrong? There is a history of cults going back through the ages, worldwide, in all kinds of different cultures, after all. This may go against some people's beliefs that the US is the "source" of most cults and that we export them to other countries -- Moon's from Korea, right? Where did TM start?
Is the preponderance/dearth of cults cyclical? Or does it tend to remain steady? I don't know. I think it would be interesting for someone to study the percentage of populations that become involved in cults in different cultures and at different points in history. I think all these questions are interesting.