Movie Review: Thank You for Smoking

They’ve said that sex sells. That was true in the 1960s with the classic Virginia Slims ad and is still true today in 2026 with perfume and cologne ads and other products. The difference, however, between these two types of products: one is a chemical stick that the CDC has proven all too well to cause serious medical problems, and the other contains an alluring smell that turns heads as a person walks by. 

So, in terms of public relations and marketing, what does this mean? Do the connotations and proven effects of a product put a responsibility on the person or company who is marketing it? 

Well, in the movie Thank You for Smoking, that very question is dramatized. 

Personally, the only thing that I liked about that movie was the color grading. I always admire the look of early 2000s movies, and the hopeful and bright tone they seem to have. 

Content-wise, I think that this movie brought up good questions, but just did not quite answer them in the way that I would’ve liked.

As the movie follows the main character Nick Naylor, it depicts a cigarette marketing agency that is dead set on what any other marketing agency is: money. “The love of money is the root of all evil,” and so Naylor’s agency does whatever is possible to better popularize their cigarette brand.

This included coming up with ways to verbally manipulate and twist words in the agency's favor, surrounding their product, and what others would say about the cigarettes.

In the pursuit of new consumers, the movie suggests that certain morals are to be set aside in hopes of achieving the company’s goal. As stated before, the question arises about the moral responsibilities that the agency, or any marketing agency, has regarding the products it promotes. 

From what I observed, the movie seems to answer this question through its goal: money. For example, Mr. Naylor appears in an interview towards the beginning of the film where he emphatically highlights the fact that cigarettes are harmful and can cause cancer. Fifteen to twenty minutes later in the film, we see him excitedly preparing for a trip to potentially get a brand deal with a big movie production agency for the cigarette marketing company.

This brand deal was intended to paint cigarettes as “cool again,” with the expectation of increased sales.

 To me, using a phrase like “cool again” seems to suggest the youth. Typically, when that phrase is used, the youth, or the up-and-coming generation, is what that phrase is referring to. This means that the cigarette marketing company could have very much been attempting to target the youth with their brand deal, in hopes of more youths buying and being attracted to cigarettes. 

There is also that perpetual element of the movie where we know that each person who works for the cigarette marketing agency personally knows the dangers of cigarettes and long-term smoking, yet they are the main people who are avidly working to sell as many packs as possible. 

That is not good. That sure doesn't seem to be in the public's best interest. That does not seem to be morally right either.

As human beings, especially as people in America, which was where the movie was set, we have a lot of choices and freedoms in life. Choosing a place of work, who you work for, and what they are trying to accomplish is one of those freedoms.

Additionally, all humans have a moral responsibility for one another. Due to this, I think that the advertising agencies need to do better about what they are selling and not just focus on their profits. 

Of course, this is an ideal in an individualistic, money-hungry society. 

In the current world that we live in, unless the government places harder restrictions on the advertisement industry, specifically, on broadcasting networks and similar areas that have much room for government involvement, I see what played out in Thank You for Smoking easily continuing. 

As a current college student who is a part of the communications department, has done some marketing work before, and is emerging into the working world, this movie has appropriately brought to my attention some of the concerns that come with that field.

We have to fight fire with fire, or rather, money with more money, in order to smoke out these issues. 

AI: Friend & Competitor

The improving of technology has always been a driving force for human society. From the brick, all the way until now, performing at a better rate and being able to do life most efficiently, has always been the goal. Now, in the 21st century, we've welcomed with open arms a new form of technology that is sweeping our nation and the world--artifcial intelligence (AI).

AI has been frequently quoted as a tool that comes alongside humanity and helps speed up repetitive processes, but also potentially come up with novel solutions. When it comes to data mining as well, AI has become increasingly crutial in the whole process.

Main Competitors

Depending on whether you live in the West or in the East, AI's presence in everyday life and common day activities varies.

In the West, the PBS Documentary, In the Age of AI, talks about the Tech Giants and their use of AI within their software to collect data, putting at risk the privacy of the citizens who are using their technology. 

Additionally, this gives rise to certain privacy disputes and conversations about how much control the average person truly has over their data.

Those of us in the West seemed to pushed into believing that the future of AI can be optimistic and promising--at least that's what the overtone is perceived to be. 

The undertone of this same message, however, seems to be soaked in distrust, uncomfortability, instability. 

What will the future hold? How will forthcoming generations be affected by these things? What does this mean for jobs?--all valid and pressing questions that are raised by encroaching of AI.

In the East, zeroing in on China, AI plays a more major role in the everyday lives of citizens and what they do on a day-to-day basis. Extremely personal surveillance about specific details of what people do is the huge role AI takes on.

Whether its crossing the street, shopping in a grocery store, or going to school, through the rapid growth of China's AI technology, close surveillance and facial recognition, from person to person is becoming more possible and accurate.

The main and obvious concern seems to be the critical and watchful eye of the state. The documentary explains how China is on its way to being a total surveillance state. This is intriguing.

How will life fare for China's citizens? Is there anything from stopping China from becoming a 25/8 watchful eye? What does that mean for onlookers?--again, all valid and quickly arising questions.

Implications

As of now, the West and East have big decisons to make as AI makes bigger and bigger strides into the future. 

Will monitary gain be the only goal or can true human florishing take its place? 

Being strategic and careful is of the utmost importance as the clock is ticking.

Do We have Privacy?

"I spy with my little eye--someone 5'7" who goes to college, likes the color black, has a thing for indie music, and goes to church each Sunday."-- the American government.

After a period of time data mining, this is likely to be the specified data that the government has stored about me.

In this new age, we have access to so much technology that allows us to search and find what we want at the click of a button. We want a new sweatshirt, we got it. We want a new app, we got it. We want a new car, we got it. It’s all right there. 

The downside of all this convenience is that it comes at the expense of our personal privacy. Every search engine, every website, every application is tainted by spying malware that invades our privacy.

The worst part is that we’ve opened the door and allowed it to happen. 

Personally, I did not realize the level of detail that could be collected on individuals today. With every click, something new could be discovered and potentially commodified.

Not only through our personal devices is our privacy leaked, but through military grade software that has been put into the hands of police. 

For example, certain license plate reading technology has lo the collection of thousands of people’s sensitive data. 

That very issue was discussed in a TED Talk about the gradual scarcity of our personal privacy.

Concerning issues like these, it is very important that us as citizens know our personal rights and are more apt to read terms and conditions. 

At the very least, conducting some online research about what we’re signing up for instead of impulsively hitting “accept," can be helpful in the long term.

Additionally, reading up on recent technology and remaining informed about laws being passed in relation to technology, is another way to be on top of your personal information.

8 Values of Free Expression: Protecting Dissent

“The way to right wrongs is to shine the light of truth upon them.”-- Ida B. Wells 

The Earth is the center of our solar system. Upon first glance, this statement already appears wrong because in the 21st century it is known that the Sun is actually at the center of the solar system. 

That is a widely agreed upon fact, at this point in time. However, for those in the 1600s, there would have been debate on whether or not this statement was true. 

During that time, the majority view at the time was that the Earth, as we know it, was the center of the universe. So much so, that those in the minority view were revoked for being heretical due to believing otherwise. Ironically, history and science eventually would side with the minority view, proving it to be factually correct.

This initial conundrum is a historical example of the necessity and importance of the minority view in a society. Our founding fathers understood this concept; thus, we have the First Amendment and the various freedoms that come with it.

Mob mentality is not a new concept, rather one that spurs up constantly as a part of the reality of being human and living in societies. It’s a mentality that comes with social pressures and leaves little room for proper thoughtfulness and clarity. When left unchecked, it can be dangerous. 

Cancel culture is swathed in mob mentality and unfolds right before our eyes every day. Social media influencers and famous socialites are silenced overnight due to the overpowering assumptions made from hordes of occasional viewers. 

This often results in major social, and sometimes occupational, changes for that individual which can leave societal and personal marks. 

These marks seem to be able to set the tone for what society, more like the majority, sees as acceptable, allowing bold claims and believed statements of truth to be created and stated as though they were publicly mandated.

That exact circumstance, and other akin to that, is where the 8th value of freedom of expression through the First Amendment shines by protecting dissent.

Allowing for dissent through giving a voice to the minority not only allows for the most ideas to populate but re-enforces the American way: democracy. Voices are not just heard in general; rather, there is an emphasis on every voice being heard—for good or for worse.     

Because we as a nation have so many freedoms, great ideas can be spread. Looking back at history, the back-and-forth of our very constitution being finalized was in part due to people using their voice and speaking up about the atrocities of slavery.

The opposite is also true that due to our freedoms, people used their voices to fight for the continuation of slavery.

It is not a perfect system, but it's one that has been built on lasting principles with the vision of allowing as many people as possible to be able to voice their opinions.

Through dissent being protected, Americans have a legal way to resist mob mentality and potentially shine a light of truth on those few voices.

My Top 5 News Sources

 In a world of many sources to choose from, of many people vying for your attention, of distractions left and right, it can be difficult to hone in on one news source. Personally, I find this search just as difficult as the next person; however, there are a few things that I look for to help narrow down my choices. 

As an aspiring journalist, the primary qualities I look for are a history of objectivity and a consideration of multiple perspectives. Additionally, I consult the Media Bias Chart curated by AllSides. With these
checkpoints in mind, I have been able to narrow down a few sources from which I get the majority of my news or world updates. They are as follows:

#1 Reuters: From beginnings in the 1850s with Paul Julius Reuter, Reuters, as a news source and a business, has built a reputation of trustworthiness, speed, and accuracy. To the best of their ability, they attempt to follow a true and authentic journalistic style by remaining objective and fair to each side as much as possible. 

According to the Media Bias Chart, they are ranked in the middle, indicating that they can be seen as reasonably objective compared to their competitors. In my eyes, Reuters checks most of the boxes and gives me a clear rundown of the news.

#2 The Associated Press (AP): Although their rating has shifted over the last four years, the Associated Press is still one of my preferred places to receive my news. Aesthetics are not everything, yet the way they set up their website and display their news catches my eye. The organization and attention to detail that is put into it tells me about their work ethic and attention to detail overall. To me, this means that they most likely carry that attitude into their journalistic work as well, giving me more trust in how they convey the news. 

Additionally, as someone interested in the photojournalistic side of news as well, I have appreciated the AP's work in photography, which I see come across my media feed. 

#3 Instagram: This leads to my third news source: Instagram. Despite being seen as an unreputable source, I believe that when used properly, it can be a very beneficial way to access news. 

For example, as a college student, I do not have the financial means to subscribe to multiple news websites at once. 

Through Instagram, I can access multiple news outlets that end up posting reels about their top stories or even breaking news. In this fashion, I can stay up to date about certain things that are happening in the United States or other parts of the world, and occasionally read the public's opinions on the event. 

The use of hashtags on news posts can serve as the typical article link, allowing me to go on a deep dive into a specific aspect of the news post that was made. Whether that has been a political figure, an organization, or a business, those hashtags can be very useful.

#4 TikTok: When I am looking to get a feel for what the public is thinking about a current news-related issue, and want to hear multiple perspectives, I go to TikTok. 

Although fact-checking is imperative for utilizing this app for news, the hoards of citizen-journalists that can be accessed through it are immense. 

Depending on what my algorithm is, my main feed displays intriguing videos that have helped to humanize the news that I receive from mainstream news sources a bit more. That aspect is important to me.

At the same time, my algorithm has presented videos from my local verified news stations, allowing me to engage with reputable news as well. The plethora of content that I can acquire from TikTok grants me the ability to understand news events from many different perspectives and holds me accountable to do my own research. 

#5 Friends: Last but not least, conversing with those close to me about what is going on in the world is one of my favorite ways to get the news. Different people have different perspectives, so having friends who come from various walks of life and ethnic backgrounds makes conversations about the news quite interesting. 

Some of my friends pick up on social issues that occur in the media, while others recount news about politics or the environment. The fact that everyone has something unique to say keeps me engaged and more receptive to the news that I receive.