Recently, a newspaper in Xi'an published an eye-catching advertisement titled "Astonishing Initiative, Brave Enough to Swap Your Spouse" on its front page. The title of this ad was "Astonishing Initiative, Brave Enough to Swap Your Spouse", with the content stating: "On May 1st and 2nd, there will be an event on-site called 'Eliminate Aesthetic Fatigue, Swap Your Spouse'. Would you dare to bring home a spouse you don't know?" Couples aged between 45-60 can sign up in advance to participate.
Although the organizers of the "spouse-swapping activity" claimed that this event is not a real spouse exchange but rather a game designed to liven up the atmosphere on-site, and essentially just a creative advertisement, such "creativity" lacks shame and challenges ethical boundaries, and should be banned.
I do not reject novel and bold advertising creativity; after all, "the world changes fast." Under the impact of diverse cultures, people have many channels for receiving information. If businesses lack attention-grabbing advertisements, then even "fine wine fears a deep alley." "Selling melons without boasting about their quality," would make even "Wang Po" lose money. However, bold creativity should not abandon ethics or challenge the moral bottom line of humanity. China is an ancient civilized country, where yellow skin and black eyes are our markers, and possessing virtue is also a characteristic of the Chinese people. "Spouse swapping" is considered a form of incest according to traditional morality and has always been condemned by mainstream ethics. In daily life, probably only beasts and livestock engage in indiscriminate mating. If a normal person behaves this way, how are they different from beasts or livestock? How can advertisements promoting such animalistic behavior be deemed appropriate?
The market can be open, and thoughts can be open, but sex cannot be open. If sex is also made open, it will inevitably lead to chaos in marriage, disease, economy, and law. Media bear the social responsibility of "arming people with scientific theories, guiding people with correct public opinions, shaping people with noble spirits, and inspiring people with excellent works." If media outlets pursue circulation and economic benefits by publishing news and advertisements that violate moral ethics and lose social conscience, leading to intense controversy or even criticism, being shut down naturally wouldn't be surprising!
Although the feudal concept of "remaining faithful until death" has long been abandoned, loyalty between spouses is still regarded as a virtue by millions of people. "Holding your hand, growing old with you" remains the pursuit of married men and women. Fun or loneliness, aesthetic fatigue, none of these are reasons to swap partners. Even if one really experiences aesthetic fatigue, one should elevate the level of emotional communication between spouses, jointly cultivate aesthetic taste, refresh love, and eliminate this fatigue. Partners are not commodities; swapping them when experiencing aesthetic fatigue has no end. Doing so makes one no different from animals. Therefore, I advise those who participate in activities aimed at "spouse swapping" not to blindly seek fresh stimulation. While chasing trends, think about the Chinese blood flowing in your veins and consider China's traditional morals!
Public order and good customs are important because they are the moral principles that sustain public society. Social harmony requires both legal external constraints and self-discipline through moral ethics and public order. Such "spouse-swapping" advertising creativity must be banned!