Comments on: Big Companies Are Making You Buy By Promising You Happiness: Here’s How to Break Free

By: Artificial intelligence that makes YOU think | AboutAI.info

Artificial intelligence that makes YOU think | AboutAI.info — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:16:08 +0000

[...] Big Companies Are Making You Buy By Promising You Happiness … [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:26:59 +0000

Interesting point, Hadi, and it does give me some pause for thought. I don’t own a car (I can’t drive – I had a few lessons but then I moved to London where it’s very easy to get around using public transport). I can relate to that “alive” feeling when walking and cycling, though! I think what bugged me about the BMJ ad was the idea that you “buy” or “own” joy … it’s something that you experience.

Glad you’re enjoying the blog!

By: Hadi

Hadi — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:54:58 +0000

Hi Ali

I’ve really enjoyed reading through all of the posts on this blog but just wanted to pick up on the “BMW joy” thing.

I wonder whether that ad was just poorly targeted at you.

I can totally equate ownership of a car designed for driving pleasure with joy.

I feel at my most alive when sliding a car through a corner on a deserted country road in the soft light of a summer evening.

For me it’s spiritual and vital.

Keep up the great work.

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:22:28 +0000

Thanks Isabella! I guess for me, it’s about tuning out some of the screaming (by avoiding excessive TV, not spending hours reading/listening to the news, etc). I think people are getting better and better about avoiding the low-quality content and the advertisments in modern media and finding places where they can hold conversations with like-minded folk. But I agree, there are never easy answers!

By: isabella mori (@moritherapy)

isabella mori (@moritherapy) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:51:55 +0000

interesting post and discussion. i think john’s comment re the title shows how deeply ingrained the whole process is although i wouldn’t say that you’re overly commodifying freedom. in the end, perhaps, it’s all about persuasion. I HAVE A GREAT IDEA / PRODUCT AND YOU MUST USE IT! when there’s three gazillion others screaming, how will we be heard if we don’t scream ourselves? and if they all scream about joy, sex and weight loss, how will anyone pay attention if we talk about philosophy and buttercups? i don’t think there are any easy answers to these questions.

By: Are All Your Goals Materialistic Ones? - PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:01:02 +0000

[...] Marketers and advertisers play on our emotions. Rather than selling us a watch, a car or a holiday, they sell us a particular feeling – perhaps even succeeding in getting to the heart of what we really want. Next time you see an advert and think “I want that”, ask yourself what feeling or emotion you’re being sold. Security? Freedom? Escape from concerns? [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:13:04 +0000

Thanks Katherine! It always surprises me when people say they “can’t control” their spending – no-one’s *making* them buy stuff.

By: Katherine SOLO dot MOM

Katherine SOLO dot MOM — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:36:26 +0000

Well said and excellent post!!!

I totally agree with your take on the marketing strategy we are all under (and I also enjoyed the movie District 9).

Thanks for reminding us we are in control of our money and we are in control of our “joy” if we choose to be. Take back the power, i say!

I just posted a blog today, titled – Be Bold – It’s Your Money, where I share that we are in control – or at least should be in control of how we spend our money, if we take the bull by the horns – and take the incentive to be good stewards with what we have. And you just took it to the next level.

Thanks again.

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:22:42 +0000

Thanks Alex! I think your kind of “selling” of happiness is legit — you actually ARE helping people to find happiness. It’s all the people selling some sort of empty happiness-replacement that I find distasteful…

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:25:35 +0000

Wonderful post! As a big anti-consumerist (who yes has his weaknesses) I struggled for a long time with my coaching business because really I’m selling happiness but was able to continue because after learning to rid oneself of “Someday” all the other happiness and joy purchases tend to fall off because clients have found true happiness within. (Or so I tell myself )