What can we do about covert persuasion?
Friday, April 15th, 2011Subliminal messaging is the flashing of words for a frame or two in the middle of a movie or show. It was outlawed in America, but it is an inaffective form of covert persuasion? There are many forms of covert persuasion that are very affective, including product placement, repitition, association, and a variatey of word studies that determine what words and images can be said first to induce positive emotions that the mind will subliminally associate with the main subject of focus. These methods are used in political campaigns, product advertising, corprate pr and court rooms. I believe they are the true enemy of American people and democracy. What can we do about it?
Fascinating question. Assuming that we, the public may be powerless to stop the practice, we may need to adopt a new scepticism toward everything that is outside our homes, or comes from outside our homes when we are inside our homes. I know this sounds like saying "adopt a generally cynical attitude towards everything", but maybe that is just what it takes. Other safeguards are more easily taken: Realize that all sublime messaging only tries to sell you goods or philosophies. If you take a generally hostile attitude toward any goods or aphilosophies brought to you via the media, and ask for any information to be sent to you in WRITING for you peruse, sublime messages will be wasted on you. Can you do that?