I believe people are capable of completely independent thought
beyond the age of 7. That's not that people can't be led-by
media; they definitely are. But the choice is always there for
all humans, no matter how deep they choose to accept the
messages.
Even when we're led to believe something through lush music,
pictures of sad puppies and Sarah Maclaughlin to donate money,
we still have the choice. It may be harder for some, but that's
why offering competing messages (like this graphic) of thinking
for yourself are so important.
The choice is always ours.
I don't find this image depressing: I find it a call-to-action -
a REMINDER that if I believe this to still be true for somebody
out there, my mission isn't complete.