What role do "shocking" images play in our society?

In todays society shocking images are the best way to get an important message or product across to the entire population. However as media evolves peoples idea of a shocking image also evolves. 50 years ago a shocking image may have been something as simple as a man and a woman sleeping in the same bed. Today it is not unusual to view a movie with a couple engaging in full on sexual contact. In fact it is almost the norm to expect sex in movies. Shocking images can sell almost any product and draw attention to almost any cause. Take for instance the recent disasters around the world (e.g. Japanese Tsunami, Hurricane Katirina), To raise money organizations show pictures of suffering and dying people as part of their campaign to raise money. These images give people a feeling of guilt and grief. These grief inducing advertisements are mainly directed to people in middle and high class america. These people live day to day with no real life or death concerns, because of this they are most likely to feel guilty and give some of their excess money to the less fortunate. Another way shocking images are used is to get a certain groups opinion across to the public. Organizations such as PETA and ProLife use gory images to make people feel uncomfortable with their views and hopefully change. However I do not agree with some of these methods. I am most against the Pro-Life organization and the pictures they display on billboards and trucks. This organization shows mangled and bloody fetuses. I believe this is very wrong to force people who are innocent to view these photos.