Good insights, and not just software developers, really. We don’t like ads, sensationalism, or anything reeking of bullshit. If we have to talk to someone to find out the price, the product may as well not exist.

    • logicbomb@lemmy.world
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      11 days ago

      Yeah, the thing about propaganda is that it works, and if it doesn’t work, then the propagandists will come up with something else that does work. The thing is that they’re constantly thinking about how to exploit you, while you’re thinking about other stuff.

      So for example, I hate feeling like I receive a hard sell. So, if I am at a store and somebody tries to sell me something, I will not buy it, and in fact, I’ll probably assume the product is so shoddy that it can’t be sold without pressure. Same goes for popup ads online.

      But if a marketer knows this about me, then they can definitely manipulate me. They just have to do it in a way that I don’t realize is marketing. And there are all sorts of campaigns like that.

    • melfie@lemy.lolOP
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      11 days ago

      True, and having the hubris to think otherwise makes you even less immune.

    • zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      11 days ago

      Nearly everyone thinks that they are immune, but we’re not, we just recognize some that probably wasn’t targeted at us. As far as I am concerned, the only way to not be influenced by propaganda would be to completely avoid it and be some sort of hermit.

      • sthetic@lemmy.ca
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        11 days ago

        I bet there are hermit influencers who post videos where they hold the latest chamberpot up to the camera and extol its virtues. Then they post a shelfie that shows their latest book haul about transcendental meditation and bushcrafting.

      • Wildmimic@anarchist.nexus
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        11 days ago

        Exactly. Blocking out ads wherever possible is the only way to not be influenced by advertising. At least it helps to know that one isn’t immune to it. That helps to counteract the effects somewhat, but don’t count on it if you aren’t actively keeping your defenses up.

      • chuckleslord@lemmy.world
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        11 days ago

        No, they aren’t. Any one who thinks they are is more susceptible.

        Humans are social creatures, propaganda is a social contagion.

        The only people who could be would be those with no ties to anyone. Kind of a nonstarter for the whole “cooperative survival strategy” that humans got going on.

          • chuckleslord@lemmy.world
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            11 days ago

            I see what you’re saying, but I’m done talking about this. Your logic is circular at its base, so there’s nothing to talk about.

            • ѕєχυαℓ ρσℓутσρє@lemmy.sdf.org
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              11 days ago

              Yeah, I was just trying to prove a point that anything that’s a blanket statement saying everyone or no-one does something is invalid, unless it’s a physical constraint. (Even those break inside neutron stars and black holes.)

              I agree with you that almost everyone is susceptible to propaganda, but to say that no one is immune is simply wrong. Anyway, sorry for being annoying and pedantic, but it was kind of on purpose.