Small Object, Large Scale: Red Bull Flys High

As a society run ragged by the pressures of everyday life, what seems only "natural" is for distributors creating a highly caffeinated beverage to keep the American consumer alert, awake, and bopping around with sugar pumping through their veins. Red Bull is replacing the need for sleep with a tasty can of caffeine. Instead of sleeping recommended hours for healthy living, the American society can easily fix exhaustion by chugging a Red Bull. This alternative is known for its fast acting awakening affect, and shows that the American culture values its active time more so than sleep. The society likes being busy, and anything to enhance or minds is greatly appreciated.



When Red Bull first became popular, it took a simple illustrated commercial to show the viewer enthusiastically that 'Red Bull gives you wings!' The advertising suggests that Red Bull can be used as a super power, to fly up and away as little wings sprout from the cartoon character after the first gulp. This energy will make the contemporary American surge through our power struggle to continue to take part in our hectic schedules. The association with Red Bull ads are high energy, an online video shows people driving various objects such as water planes and parasails, off of a jump down a long drop into the water. Extreme sports are where Red Bulls major promotions come from, showing the charged effect Red Bull has on its drinkers.



I drank a Red Bull Shot last night to give me a boost to write a previous blog around 12, quite ironic that today I was handed an assignment and instantly chose the Red Bull, even though I do not regularly drink it. Last night I wrote my blog with ease, showered, and still felt alert. Falling asleep was a joke. It's funny that something designed to give us so much energy takes away from the natural way our bodies want the energy. Obviously my decision to consume Red Bull at midnight was not the best idea if I wanted to get a good nights sleep, but I am a contemporary American who struggles between two jobs and school; falling into the "wing" trap wasn't too hard.

Time is the most valuable thing anyone can have, and the human race has very little of it. Companies know that designing a product high in caffeine for those on the go will sell with no problem. Because of the caffeine in Red Bull, the American population will continue to come back to the store fiending for the same energy high. Maximizing our potential is important but at what cost? Red Bull is high in sugar and the effects of the heart-pumping beverage are dangerous to the general populations health. Ultimately the contemporary American will always seek out whatever will get them out of bed in the morning, as well as keep them on high speed for the rest of the day. And without that Red Bull, how else would one get wings? We are a people obsessed with caffeine.