Life, 1910-11-03 · page 17 of 72
Life — November 3, 1910 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes satirical commentary with period advertising. The main article "We Are Still Adamant" (continued from earlier) discusses attitudes toward seriousness and earnestness in society, with a humorous digression about "mental advertisers" and "mental money"—a satirical jab at the growing advertising industry's absurd claims about influencing thought. The cartoons are brief, practical jokes: "The Spot Spread" mocks a hair-restorer advertisement's misleading testimonial (a man claims the product reduced his three bald spots to one—clearly nonsensical). The bottom cartoon jokes about precision manufacturing, likely referencing industrial quality control. The advertisements (Investment Securities, Sterling Debenture Corporation) represent the legitimate financial services Life's readers would encounter. These contrast with the satirized "mental advertising" critique, suggesting Life positioned itself as a voice of rational skepticism against commercial hype during the early 20th century.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
We Are Still Adamant (Continued from page 744) was in strict harmony, nobody thought of having fun out of it. Subliminal selves, as a general rule, took themselves too seriously. They had an idea that in order to be in earnest, it was necessary to be solemn about it. Now the whole physical world is on a broad One word to our mental advertisers from Gee. Ime. Mit. Only pure thought ads. are admitted into the mental Life. Position not guar- anteed. If you are thinking of becom- ing an imaginary advertiser, get on the premium list at once. Rates on appli- cation. Results quicker than in any other medium. Here is a vibration just received from an old advertiser, which we translate for the benefit of all: “T vibrated my copy at four o’clock, the Mental Life containing it, came out at five, my imaginary stock was sold out at six, and at seven I was on my way to Europe with the profits. Love to Gee. Ime. Mit. He’s all right."” In concentrating, sit in a room about as dark as a New England front parlor at high noon on a summer day, and think of a blue disc with a yellow centre, and express your mental willingness to give up five dollars of mental money right away. It’s a great help. Mrs. Otpun: I hope you and your husband live happily together? Mrs. Stroncminp: I should say we do. I'd just like to see him live un- happily with me !—Weasp, INVESTMENT SECURITIES (e} mew Bronx Bank and Trust || and High-Class Co. Stocks Indsstrials q Complete facilities gq We specialize stocks for purchase and of approved business tale of Stocks in Banks |] enterprises of a broad and Trust Companies |] and substantial char- located anywhere in || acter. Our customers United States. Our || may invest in moderate current Lists present || amounts and pay in vousual opportunities || convenient iostallncents, ‘or investment in new |) The largest investment in growing towns |) business of thischaracter a well as ia established | inthe world—over forty- Givideed-paying banks. || five thousand discrimi © quote lowest prices. || nating customers, fegurding Bank Stocks as an investment. We (our current List, STERLING DEBENTURE CORPORATION BRUNSWICK BUILDING MADISON SQUARE NEW YORK ‘Write for our free “No, 110" setting forth the fa wil ao mal you The Spot Spread “{ don't know whether to accept this testimonial or not,"? mused the hair re- storer man. “What's the matter with it?’ de- manded the advertising manager. “Well,”” explained the boss, “the man writes: ‘I used to have three bald spots on the top of my head, but since using one bottle of your hair restorer I have only one.’ "'—Pittsburgh Press. “Gee! THE MAN WHO BORED THE HOLES THROUGH THESE THINGS MUST HAVE HAD A WONDERFULLY TRUE EYE! ’?