Apparently you are all the dumbest sacks of shit on Earth

Or at least a lot of the marketing I have seen out there would have me believe.  In fact, I have purchased books and services at one time because the marketing had me so scared that I would be in mortal danger if I didn't.  Let's take a look at some of these marketing ploys. 

If I go here and hang out with Matt Furey, some of the great things that startle me via a pop-up include "looking younger, losing weight without losing strength, and ending carpal tunnel syndrome."                                                                                

I like his mustache

   
If I go here,  I find out what makes a male a "man." Apparently, five one armed pushups, five pistols, a one armed pull up, five hanging leg raises, a standing bridge, and a one armed handstand pushup make a male a man.

At T-nation their writers--especially Nate Green--hype the shit out of their supplements and outright tell me, the reader, that I suck.  At least when TC Luoma does it it's hilarious.  Sadly, he doesn't write much on their anymore and the site has tanked.

This phenomenon of marketing is not new.  Observe this gem:

This is the ad wherein some skinny guy was getting sand kicked in his face by the bros at the beach.  He did what Atlas told him, got buff and kicked the shit out of the bros, and fucked the women later.

Here is an instance of a popular strong guy promoting a supplement.  None other than Eugene Sandow himself.

What is the point of all this?  These companies who make these products are dictating to you what you need to be doing.  They are telling you you have to do something or you will not be accepted into their community of users.  They are offering you a sense of belonging, and unity.  This reminds me of a street gang, but without the killing and otherwise extremely sordid behavior.

There is nothing wrong with buying shit--it's the basis of our culture and society.  However, one should never buy something because they are told.   Especially when the marketeers market to you like you are fucking worthless. When it comes to these products, you are given a goal instead of choosing a goal.  You are trying to fit yourself into a mold that might not accommodate you.  The goal for all of us should be to be able to think for ourselves and choose what is best for us and not let a company tell us.  If you think a one armed pushup is going to be good for you, or you simply want to do it, then go for it.  Use whatever you feel like to help you achieve the goal you desire.

Remember, once you start to live life predicated upon the thoughts of others, that life is no longer yours.