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Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

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Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#11

Post by itronitron »

non-entity wrote: post #2

I remember a while back seeing an ad for smart toilets. Somewhat intrigued, I googled for them and found that a good many of them cost several grand. I remember thinking "who the hell are they advertising to?" No average person is going to spend that money on a smart toilet, and I'm sure even the upper middle class has better purchases to make in that price range. Also I've noticed everything in commercials is so idy…

That is a lot, however I can see a smart toilet being a reasonable cost during a bathroom renovation (I assume you are referring to the type that wash your behind and are standard in Japan.) Although since a toilet is an easy thing to install afterwards, unlike bath, sinks, and shower, then the purchase may just be delayed a year (and then another year...)

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#12

Post by glitchc »

logjammin wrote: post #5

I spent a lot of time in Vermont many years ago. I'd been there a little while, blissfully unaware, before someone told me "yeah, they banned billboards here in the sixties - you didn't notice?" I hadn't consciously noticed, no, but I'd spent my time there until that comment driving around stunned at how beautiful the place was. Now I knew the reason for that (well, partial reason - billboards or not, it's a pretty p…

Whoa, I never realized that. I live north of the border and drive through Vermont every so often to visit family. Now that you mention it, there are zero billboards on the highways.

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#13

Post by nabla9 »

New animated ads and videos in the street are just horrible. Eyes follow movement automatically. You have to consciously avert you gaze constantly to not look into them. Two hours in the city and you start feeling tired from the cognitive load and the resistance towards impulse buy decreases a little.

* Walking on the street looking down is the only defense in the streets.

* Online only ad-blockers keep you sane.

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#14

Post by wpietri »

itronitron wrote: post #6

that's how you know that the advertising is working

Exactly. This is classic POSIWID: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_purpose_of_a_system_is_wha...

People mainly buy things to solve problems, to end negative feelings. So if you want people to buy things, the obvious solution is to create negative feelings that can be ended by spending money on your product.

The most obvious example is of course addictive products. Just when we were finally weaning society of nicotine, Juul has been very successful in creating a new generation of addicts.

But I think they dynamic is true more broadly. Feeling low in social status? Buy this expensive car, these expensive clothes, this expensive watch! And if you aren't feeling like that, let's show you enough fancy people with fancy things until you do feel bad. Social status isn't your weakness? Well we have plenty of creative teams who will find something we can make you feel bad about.

And for those who are skeptical, I encourage you to read about Edward Bernays, the "father of public relations", who took his inspiration from war propaganda and applied it to manipulating consumer behavior: http://theconversation.com/the-manipulation-of-the-american-...

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#16

Post by whatshisface »

nkrisc wrote: post #4
non-entity wrote: post #2

I remember a while back seeing an ad for smart toilets. Somewhat intrigued, I googled for them and found that a good many of them cost several grand. I remember thinking "who the hell are they advertising to?" No average person is going to spend that money on a smart toilet, and I'm sure even the upper middle class has better purchases to make in that price range. Also I've noticed everything in commercials is so idy…

That stuff exists, it just costs a lot of money. Well, except for a functional family, money can't buy that. Want a house that looks clean and perfectly staged all the time? Hire a full-time cleaner to come every day and sweep, pick up, do the dishes, etc. The lie in those commercials is that their target audience can never afford something like that. So in a sense, you're right, they're showing "you" what you can ne…

You can also keep your house clean and perfectly staged all the time by cleaning it yourself. It's not impossible, or even difficult.

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#17

Post by TheGallopedHigh »

xtracto wrote: post #8

This reminds me of an anecdote a friend told me: This friend dedicates his time in going to very rural areas/towns here in Mexico to implement government programs. At some point in the past he got to a town were the cantina had just gotten the only TV in town... apparently people in the town were generally happy, and they had everything they needed... so in their view they were not poor. But once they started watchin…

Said succinctly: Comparison is the thief of joy

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#18

Post by nkrisc »

whatshisface wrote: post #16
nkrisc wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That stuff exists, it just costs a lot of money. Well, except for a functional family, money can't buy that. Want a house that looks clean and perfectly staged all the time? Hire a full-time cleaner to come every day and sweep, pick up, do the dishes, etc. The lie in those commercials is that their target audience can never afford something like that. So in a sense, you're right, they're showing "you" what you can ne…

You can also keep your house clean and perfectly staged all the time by cleaning it yourself. It's not impossible, or even difficult.

Well, duh. I kinda thought that went without saying.

But it's work. And if you have 4 kids and 3600 sqft McMansion that aspires to be one of those beautiful, large homes in the commercial with the car with over-sized bow out front, you'll spend most your time doing that. But that's not what people want. They want a perfect, clean home and to be able to spend all their free time on leisure activities, just like the commercial promised them.

Re: Researchers find inverse correlation between advertising and life satisfaction

#20

Post by cm2012 »

xtracto wrote: post #8

This reminds me of an anecdote a friend told me: This friend dedicates his time in going to very rural areas/towns here in Mexico to implement government programs. At some point in the past he got to a town were the cantina had just gotten the only TV in town... apparently people in the town were generally happy, and they had everything they needed... so in their view they were not poor. But once they started watchin…

We should strive to take away the option of knowledge from the poor, so they can be happy with their place in society.
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