On July 21, 2007, we were first introduced to Mad Men (Liongate Television, 2007-2015).  The title refers to the staff of a fictional Madison Avenue advertising agency in the 1960s.  Senior partner Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is the central character who struggles with both his professional and personal life when the sanitized world of the 1950s turns chaotic as Americans experience political assassinations, the Vietnam war and the sexual revolution.  The final episode aired on May 17, 2015 (spoiler alert) with Draper embracing the times and, as a result, coming up with the iconic 1971 Coca-Cola marketing campaign, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”

I encourage AMC, the cable network which broadcast the show, to consider a sequel.  Except, this time, the major protagonist is Donald J. Trump and the location has shifted from Madison Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue.  Two weeks into the new administration, you may be thinking Mad Men is the perfect moniker for Trump and his underlings who have exhibited behavior and a thought process consistent with any of the following definitions of the word “mad.” (Source: Merriam-Webster.com)

• arising from, indicative of, or marked by mental disorder —not used technically
• completely unrestrained by reason and judgment
• unable to think in a clear or sensible way
• incapable of being explained or accounted for
• carried away by intense anger

 But that would be too obvious when it comes to counter-intuitive thinking.  What triggered this post was the Trump administration’s use of 1960s advertising techniques to sell a product a majority of Americans have or should have no interest in buying.  At its core, 1960s marketing could be defined as “simple solutions to complex problems.”  Consider the following.  (1) Can’t get a date, try a new toothpaste or shampoo. (2) Want to be cool, smoke a particular brand of cigarettes.  (3) Want your home to be a palace of marital bliss, buy your wife the latest household appliance.

And what were the results?  Despite clean teeth and shiny hair, many consumers still found themselves sitting home on Saturday night.  Inhaling tar and nicotine was more likely to make you “stone cold dead,” rather than just cool.  And although I have no empirical evidence, I doubt the installation of a new Maytag washer and dryer prevented a single case of domestic abuse.

Now fast forward to 2017.  Losing sleep over ISIS and fear of terrorist attacks, ban Muslims from entering the United States.  Lost your job to more productive deployment of resources, cancel trade agreements and blame immigrants.  Believe a gay couple holding hands will destroy your marriage, manufacture a false war on Christianity.  If you honestly believe any of these quick fixes will make a difference, I have a pet rock listed on eBay for $1,000.00.

It took seven seasons for Don Draper to see the light.  I’m not sure we have the luxury of time for today’s Mad Men (and one woman, yes you Kellyanne) to experience a similar change of heart and mind.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP