Is an indictment of the irrationality of capitalism
Aren’t we all deeply irrational, though? Capitalism has turned itself into the most powerful religion on earth. Of course it preys on our emotions….
Well indeed, but you’d think they’d… be better at it, I suppose, instead of relying on nonsense to try to sell things.
I would kindly disagree. Nonsense makes this whole machine go. “Drapetomania” was sold to Americans by the scientific community to argue the slaves wanting their freedom was the result of mental illness.
This kind of bullshit eased americans’ conscious while further painting black folk as diseased/unwell/unfit to take care of themselves.
How is that not brilliant?
Well of course, I mean obviously they sell everyone on nonsense, but I meant more that like… you’d think they’d have a better theoretical understanding of persuasion because their getting their way depends on it. Like being good at persuading people to buy their things is really important to them doing their shitty thing.
It makes perfect sense that they’d support racist pseudo-science because white-supremacy is in their interests (it’s obviously obscene and evil but it’s the ruling class supporting their best interests).
Also I realized I may have been unclear, I meant literature on the science of doing marketing, not in like ads themselves, so like I just feel like them having no real idea of what makes an effective ad and seemingly little idea in finding out makes the whole thing even more strange and irrational. Like they base everything on weird truisms.
OH i see what you mean now. i think i may have misunderstood initially. you’re saying if capitalism is so natural and right, why does it need to be supported by bullshit and lies at all? that IS an indictment of capitalism. my bad!!
Also that if capitalists are so good and smart, why do they base their decisions on books like “Growth Hacker Marketing” and it’s terrifying because these people are in charge of stuff and it’s like YIKES
They can’t even be trusted to act in their own best interests because they’re just… y’ know
Thoughts From The Peacock Angel 