Wake Up!

I’ve seen this Liberty Mutual commercial on TV several times recently.  It’s a series of “pay it forward” moments where people see someone going out of their way to do something for someone else and it inspires them to do the same.  While this seems like a positive and uplifting message, the commercial cunningly hides something insidious.

The specific commercial I’m speaking of begins with a scene in a crowded station of some sort where a man moves his luggage out of the way of a blind woman.  Someone sees that and is moved to do something nice for a stranger.  What follows is a montage of people raking each other’s leaves and helping to carry things.  The commercial ultimately ends with someone opening a door for the original blind woman.

While on the surface the commercial seems like an exhortation for altruism, selflessness, and philanthropy, there is something more to it lurking just below the patina of benevolence.  This commercial is actually an expose of the subtle manipulation of the sighted by the blind to do their bidding.  We do the work, they reap the benefits.

Well, no more!  I’ve seen through the ruse and I’m not going to allow myself to be manipulated anymore.  Do not allow yourself to be played for a fool by the blind.  Wake up, sheeple!