It's a cynical view, though. We are saddled with a lot of cognitive and emotional baggage from our entire evolutionary history and we're susceptible to many things. To say that this is what people want is to make a susceptibility into a purpose. To take a dramatic example (and who doesn't like provocation?) Hitler too was giving people what they wanted because he made them feel good about belonging to such a unique and important nation at a time of economic crisis etc etc.
It's a cynical view, though. We are saddled with a lot of cognitive and emotional baggage from our entire evolutionary history and we're susceptible to many things. To say that this is what people want is to make a susceptibility into a purpose. To take a dramatic example (and who doesn't like provocation?) Hitler too was giving people what they wanted because he made them feel good about belonging to such a unique and important nation at a time of economic crisis etc etc.
It's a cynical view, though. We are saddled with a lot of cognitive and emotional baggage from our entire evolutionary history and we're susceptible to many things. To say that this is what people want is to make a susceptibility into a purpose. To take a dramatic example (and who doesn't like provocation?) Hitler too was giving people what they wanted because he made them feel good about belonging to such a unique and important nation at a time of economic crisis etc etc.
To some extent. However all modern commercialism is driven by manipulation whether tobacco companies, oil companies, banks, food companies, agribusiness, Microsofts "I'm a PC" campaign, etc. Everyone does this, some just do it better.
In the end it's up to people to be better consumers.
To some extent. However all modern commercialism is driven by manipulation whether tobacco companies, oil companies, banks, food companies, agribusiness, Microsofts "I'm a PC" campaign, etc. Everyone does this, some just do it better.
It goes without saying that if other companies were able to replicate the same cult mentality and the same fanboys they would do it without thinking twice.
But that's like saying a one time killer is the same as a serial killer in kind, just less successful cause he got caught sooner. Doesn't make the crime equal does it.
Yes, but how? Advertising is affecting us in ways we don't understand, that not even the advertisers understand. So how are we going to smarten up against these techniques to undermine our sense of will and submit to the influence of the advertiser? There is a responsibility here, a power being abused.
It goes without saying that if other companies were able to replicate the same cult mentality and the same fanboys they would do it without thinking twice.
But that's like saying a one time killer is the same as a serial killer in kind, just less successful cause he got caught sooner. Doesn't make the crime equal does it.
Yes, but how? Advertising is affecting us in ways we don't understand, that not even the advertisers understand. So how are we going to smarten up against these techniques to undermine our sense of will and submit to the influence of the advertiser? There is a responsibility here, a power being abused.
Sure I understand the trouble behind everything you say. I agree that there is a problem from Apple to prescription drugs to the sugar refiner association of America (which is way more destructive to society that techie trinket salesmen).
What's the solution Martin? How do we avoid falling in? How can the consumers confront the puppeteer?
Let's spend some time answering those questions, then asking them to others. That's way more productive than sitting back, watching the world burn, while muttering "stupid fanboys" under our breath.
Sure I understand the trouble behind everything you say. I agree that there is a problem from Apple to prescription drugs to the sugar refiner association of America (which is way more destructive to society that techie trinket salesmen).
What's the solution Martin? How do we avoid falling in? How can the consumers confront the puppeteer?
Let's spend some time answering those questions, then asking them to others. That's way more productive than sitting back, watching the world burn, while muttering "stupid fanboys" under our breath.
Would you be prepared to put the issue as bluntly as: capitalism is the problem, what do we do about it?
That's what many voices are saying. I haven't really formed my own opinion yet. But this suggests that the solution has to come from some kind of a global scale leftist movement. Which sounds so utopian it makes me roll my eyes so far back they hurt.
Would you be prepared to put the issue as bluntly as: capitalism is the problem, what do we do about it?
That's what many voices are saying. I haven't really formed my own opinion yet. But this suggests that the solution has to come from some kind of a global scale leftist movement. Which sounds so utopian it makes me roll my eyes so far back they hurt.
Well, capitalism is merely the mechanism. THE MECHANISM, to put it bluntly. There is no non-capitalist economy on earth. Even nations like China and Vietnam operate within the mechanism. Moving to anything other than capitalism is not a option, because such a thing doesn't exist. Once we admit that we can start thinking about ways to make it more fair, more sustainable, less racist, etc.
I view socialism as a system of wealth distribution. However it still relies on principles of capitalism. Only nations take the place of corporations and the aim is still profit however in a "fairer" less competitive market.