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If you're skeptical of marketing and able to discern lies within marketing materials, you're not the target audience. You're water in the gas tank of the world

If you're skeptical of marketing and able to discern lies within marketing materials, you're not the target audience. You're water in the gas tank of the world's economic engine -- but take comfort that people like you only amount to trace contamination and won't cause a stall. Just accept your lot, devnull all the ads, and move on.

IntronExon 9y ago
It makes me angry to think about how true this is. My hope however, is that sophistication spreads over time. Humans right now generally stink at seeing through the most blatant manipulation and grotesque blandishments, but more can see through it than ever before. Maybe we’re going to manage to overcome our worse tendencies with practice, as a group. I think it’s our best hope. Remember that critical thinking can be taught!
FridgeSeal 9y ago
"You're not the target audience, ignore it and move on" isn't a good enough reason to allow these companies to continue doing this. Should we really just let them exploit those who aren't as good as we are at detecting this? No, no we shouldn't. Turning the other cheek because you're immune and not calling them out on it is part of the reason that advertisers have pushed further and further into exploitative methods.
- IntronExon 9y ago
  Serious question then is, how do we resist? How do we act in the interests of people who often don’t see the need for help, and resent it when offered?
  - FridgeSeal 9y ago
    Adblockers, publicly and repeatedly calling them out as much as possible. Blockers for hitting them where it hurts and calling them out to try and force their tactics into daylight. Someone else in the thread mentioned a tactic they employed of calling up the company and asking to speak to the CEO/whoever felt the need to contact them so urgently. Put the onus back on them as much as possible. In terms of our less astute friends, education and patience I guess. The idea of digital privacy has been eroded pretty far and advertisers have successfully pushed the idea that it's completely fine to give it all up and let them harass us as much as they want for the digital equivalent of shiny rocks, so we're facing a long uphill battle there.

IntronExon 9y ago

It makes me angry to think about how true this is. My hope however, is that sophistication spreads over time. Humans right now generally stink at seeing through the most blatant manipulation and grotesque blandishments, but more can see through it than ever before. Maybe we’re going to manage to overcome our worse tendencies with practice, as a group. I think it’s our best hope. Remember that critical thinking can be taught!

FridgeSeal 9y ago

"You're not the target audience, ignore it and move on" isn't a good enough reason to allow these companies to continue doing this. Should we really just let them exploit those who aren't as good as we are at detecting this? No, no we shouldn't. Turning the other cheek because you're immune and not calling them out on it is part of the reason that advertisers have pushed further and further into exploitative methods.

IntronExon 9y ago
Serious question then is, how do we resist? How do we act in the interests of people who often don’t see the need for help, and resent it when offered?
- FridgeSeal 9y ago
  Adblockers, publicly and repeatedly calling them out as much as possible. Blockers for hitting them where it hurts and calling them out to try and force their tactics into daylight. Someone else in the thread mentioned a tactic they employed of calling up the company and asking to speak to the CEO/whoever felt the need to contact them so urgently. Put the onus back on them as much as possible. In terms of our less astute friends, education and patience I guess. The idea of digital privacy has been eroded pretty far and advertisers have successfully pushed the idea that it's completely fine to give it all up and let them harass us as much as they want for the digital equivalent of shiny rocks, so we're facing a long uphill battle there.