Re: Way OT: Adam Smith and Software Markets

[Hyman Rosen <hyrosen@mail.com>]

Jason wrote:
> I don't know about telepathy, but hypnosis really does "work". 
> Granted, it doesn't really work the way they show in the movies, but
> pick up a psych 101 textbook if you don't believe me.

Have you *seen* what's in psych textbooks? Psychology has come up
with more crackpot notions of what goes on in a human mind than
you can shake a stick at.

 > If advertising does not influence the choices that people make

Well, *of course* advertising influences the choices that people
make, or else what would be the point? The reason even makers of
ubiquitous products advertise is that there's a free market. If
you don't advertise, and your competitors do, pretty soon you will
lose your market share because your customers will forget you.

It's just that this influence isn't "reducing your free will".
Advertisers try to appeal to people in a variety of different
ways, engaging both reason and emotion. Those who find hidden
messages are saying more about themselves than about the ads.

> I for one would like to see more substantive advertising (this product
> is better because of these points) and less associative advertising
> (watch this hot chick drink this product).

I for one would much rather watch hot chicks than see a
dissertation on why the bite of Coca Cola is tastier than
the sweetness of Pepsi. Fortunately for me, so do lots of
other people :-)