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Maverick's Morning Thoughts
Is the Controversial Use of Satanic Branding a Good Idea?
Maverick Steffen - 12/31/2023
Satanic imagery has always evoked feelings such as intrigue, fear, disgust and even fascination.
For the sake of simplicity, let's sidestep religious debate and agree that, in the parlance of our time, the devil symbolizes evil.
Pop stars such as Sam Smith and Lil Nas have been using obvious Satanic imagery during performances as a marketing ploy to shock, awe and thrive financially. Is it working?
The use of satanic and occult symbols can be traced back to early theatrical performances where the shock factor of the devilish elements drew in crowds.
In the 1960s and 1970s, rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath incorporated occult themes to cultivate a mysterious, edgy persona.
It wasn't just about rebellion; it was a marketing strategy that differentiated them from the clean-cut image of previous entertainment icons.
Today, artists and brands dive into satanic imagery more boldly.
It's seen in music videos, performances, and fashion. Lil Nas X and shows like "American Horror Story" use such imagery for various reasons:
1- Shock Value & Attention: In a saturated media environment, standing out is crucial. Satanic imagery grabs attention and headlines, creating a buzz that's hard to ignore.
2- Artistic Expression: For some, it's a form of artistic expression, exploring themes of darkness, the unknown, or forbidden desires.
3- Commentary on Society: Sometimes, these symbols are used to critique or mirror societal issues, religious hypocrisy, or the concept of evil.
But is it successful?
The success of using satanic imagery is multifaceted.
...the devil doesn't come in the form of traditional colors, capes, horns and other conspicuous attire, but rather in the form of indifference toward suffering, calculated avarice and sadistic joy.
It's a blend of shock, commentary, and a testament to the enduring human fascination with the forbidden.
As society evolves, so too does the interpretation and reception of these symbols.
What remains clear is the undying allure of the dark and mysterious, continuing to captivate and provoke audiences around the world.
Online, the reaction is polarized.
Some fans rally behind the boldness of their favorite artists, while detractors denounce the imagery as harmful or offensive.
On one hand, it garners immediate attention and can significantly boost an artist's or brand's profile, while on the other hand it creates widespread controversy.
However, this controversy counterproductively creates more attention for the artist, widening and deepening the artists' base, the way MSNBC helped Donald Trump win his Presidency by covering him constantly.
So yes, this type of branding is effective as a means of polarization to drive more support from the very people that despise your critics.
What's true in the 2nd grade still holds true in marketing today: if you don't like something, ignore it, and it will most likely go away.
While many find the portrayal of the "devil" shocking, I am infinitely more disturbed by historical advertisements glorifying humans being savagely torn apart by wild baboons in Ancient Rome; indeed, it's a testament to how far we've evolved in our sophistication as a species.
To me, the devil doesn't come in the form of traditional colors, capes, horns and other conspicuous attire, but rather in the form of indifference toward suffering, calculated avarice and sadistic joy.
My father was Satan--a sadistic, incest-indulging rapist and pedophile who subjected his own 12-year old stepdaughter to his evil from which I was born.
I never met him, but I did meet the narcissistic, psychopathic, rosary-carrying adoptive mother who tortured me from birth, so I laugh at the critics that scoff at Halloween costumes, while ignoring the true devil raising children next door.
As society parades its superficial fears, I stand as a testament to the true horror: not the fanciful demons of lore, but the very real monsters who wear human faces and walk among us, often unnoticed and unchallenged.
It's imperative that we shift our focus away from the innocuous strategies employed by savvy marketers and toward the insidious ideologies like Marxism, anarchy, and post-modernism that pervade our society, demanding our vigilant recognition and staunch resistance.
The real battle isn't against costumed spectacles to garnish controversy and attention, but against the pervasive evil that lurks within human hearts and deeds.
Only then can we hope to protect the innocent and prevent the real darkness from spreading further.
To your success!
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