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I think the big difference is you didn't hear of heavy metal or rock bands hiring psychologists to engineer their product. There was an element of TV and adver

by matt_s 8y ago

I think the big difference is you didn't hear of heavy metal or rock bands hiring psychologists to engineer their product. There was an element of TV and advertising to sell you a physical product. What is different with tech is the stimulation of the brain that it accomplished something or makes you feel good about something (likes on a social media pic). Game and social media companies aren't just grabbing your attention to show you a cool new toy. They are grabbing your attention by hiring psychologists to help engineer their product (game, social media) so you don't want to put it down. Many mobile games are engineered like a heroin dealer - first one's free, you get to a certain level/time played and you have to pay to get ahead. That is much different than seeing a commercial for a new Star Wars toy. And much more different than an older person not relating to new technology.

malvosenior 8y ago
I would argue that psychological manipulation is at the heart of all 20th century media and advertising. If you haven't seen it, check out The Century Of Self. It covers the roots of 20th century marketing and individualism (psychology). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_of_the_Self https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_of_the_Self Bands may not have hired psychologists but record labels were definitely manipulative to fans and artists alike.
- ska 8y ago
  Of course it is. Advertising and it's sibling propaganda have always been about psychological manipulation, at least in part. The main difference in the cell phone era is access and engagement. It's an interesting question, I think, as to whether this constitutes merely a difference of degree or a fundamental shift.
- imron 8y ago
  > I would argue that psychological manipulation is at the heart of all 20th century media and advertising. The difference here is the incredibly tight feedback loop and a unique, detailed psychologial profile of each user to work with.

by matt_s 8y ago

malvosenior 8y ago

I would argue that psychological manipulation is at the heart of all 20th century media and advertising. If you haven't seen it, check out The Century Of Self. It covers the roots of 20th century marketing and individualism (psychology). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_of_the_Self https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_of_the_Self Bands may not have hired psychologists but record labels were definitely manipulative to fans and artists alike.

ska 8y ago
Of course it is. Advertising and it's sibling propaganda have always been about psychological manipulation, at least in part. The main difference in the cell phone era is access and engagement. It's an interesting question, I think, as to whether this constitutes merely a difference of degree or a fundamental shift.
imron 8y ago
> I would argue that psychological manipulation is at the heart of all 20th century media and advertising. The difference here is the incredibly tight feedback loop and a unique, detailed psychologial profile of each user to work with.