"What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons," remarked Don Draper, Jon Hamm's character in the critically acclaimed television series Mad Men.

The truth is the reality in this statement. In the world of advertising, every word counts. Each word points the consumer towards an emotion that can end in purchase and indulgence into a commercial world.

The world of advertising has had the single greatest impact on body image.

Today's self-indulged Western civilization has erupted in eroticism, materialism and the need to stay in acquisition mode.

Self-image is self-worth.

What you have is what you are. Advertising directs us.

Look no further then our DVRs. We stockpile footage of beautiful men and women set in sitcoms and dramas while we gather as a family to wish up ways of becoming or being with a McDreamy.

Our over-sexed society has placed a high emphasis on women being slender to the point of starvation, resulting in a rising number eating disorders. Neither men nor women are exempt. We are taught to be personally and professionally successful.

Are you going to be the cool, hip Apple spokesperson? Or the nerdy PC guy?

Don't you want to be the guy in the Axe body spray commercials that is tackled by countless beautiful women? Or how about the beautiful Kate Walsh driving the new Cadillac?

Advertising plays on desires and evokes a sense of need.

Take a stroll into your local chain bookstore. What is the largest section of books you see? It's not History, Cooking, Travel or Religion. It's self-help.

There is a void in the human condition and creative people at creative agencies are bent on telling us we can fill it with three easy payments of $19.95, a simple diet plan that allowed an ex-NFL star to lose 30 lbs., or just buying the latest gadget from GadgetCo.

The only solution is acceptance. We are permeated by this existence and its okay to embrace it. Just make sure you buy the right size.

Learn more about this author, Justin Mccord.
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