It turns out we can't even enjoy looking out at the sea without being reminded about 7-Eleven’s Big Gulps.
Yes, in a striking display of advertising ingenuity, a boat towing a large digital billboard was recently spotted cruising along Miami Beach - drawing a mix of shock and disgust from beachgoers and social media users.
A TikTok video shared by user RadicalMusica captured the moment, with the brightly illuminated letters of the ads easily visible from the beach. The billboard showcased eye-catching advertisements for 7-Eleven's Big Gulp drinks and the movie The Tomorrow War.
Originally captured in 2021, the video continues to trigger a wave of anger and frustration. Check it out below:
After amssing more than 1.2 million viewers, social media users took to the comments section to express their discontent, calling for such advertising practices to be deemed illegal.
"This needs to be illegal it’s literally sad," one Tiktoker wrote, with another adding: "There is no escape from capitalism."
"This is pure greed on the advertisers side. Is there nowhere sacred, anymore?? The beach is a place of peace, & beauty! Not a place for more money grubbing," a third commented.
One devastated viewer added: "I genuinely cannot describe the level of sorrow and grief that this has brought me."
According to Scenic America, there are approximately two million billboards scattered across the United States. This incident in Miami is just one example of advertising encroaching into spaces where it is least welcomed, including serene beaches and open fields.
The impact of billboards extends beyond mere visual disturbance; they have tangible consequences for residents. Properties located within 500 feet of a billboard typically sell for $30,000 less than comparable properties farther away from such structures. Additionally, the pervasive nature of advertising can take a toll on mental health. The average person encounters up to 10,000 ads per day, and research has shown that this inundation negatively affects well-being.
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, increased advertising in an area correlates with decreased happiness among residents.
Environmental concerns also come into play, as digital billboards consume a significant amount of energy. In fact, a single digital billboard uses the equivalent energy of 11 homes.
While a handful of states, including Maine, Alaska, Vermont, and Hawai'i, have implemented no-billboard laws to maintain a billboard-free environment, most states lack such regulations. However, certain cities and townships are taking proactive measures to limit the construction of new billboards and the use of digital billboards in their communities.
So, has advertising gone too far? Let us know your thoughts on this viral video in the comments.
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