Lewis Lapham, in the Introduction to the thirtieth anniversary edition of Understanding media, summarizes McLuhan’s insights about advertising: ‘McLuhan notices, correctly, that it is the bad news – reports of sexual scandal, natural disaster, and violent death – that sells the good news – that is, the advertisements. The bad news is the spiel that brings the suckers into the tent… The homily is as plain as a medieval morality play or the bloodstains on [‘Miami Vice’ star] Don Johnson’s Armani suit – obey the law, pay your taxes, speak politely to the police officer, and you go to the Virgin Islands on the American Express card. Disobey the law, neglect your insurance payments, speak rudely to the police, and you go to the Kings Country Hospital in a body bag.’ McLuhan for beginners. W. Terrence Gordon.