SIR.—I do not pretend that all is completely well in
the advertising business but still think there is a lot in what Mr. Copland says. 1 feel, too, the problem is a good deal broader than he suggests. I think Anthony
Crosland, in the November Encounter, touched on this problem rather well in his first Page. Mass media and advertising in particular is seen by many of its critics to be the reason for the failure of the workers to turn to what are felt to be worth-while pursuits and investments. Quoting Crosland, 'Rather than give up long-cherished and idealistic myths and dreams, these intellectuals prefer to blame the media; it is they, with their hidden, conspiratorial power, which have somehow "corrupted" the innocent workers.' I think any advertising man who is concerned with reaching the mass of the population is continually surprised by the low opinion of his audience that critics of advertising maintain. I am sure that most practitioners in advertising share the Molony Com- mittee's views on the maturity of the average
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