Is there a lemmy community, for example, where people discuss shopping strategies which minimize the risk of the purchase decision being influenced by Brand Image or Flashy Packaging? Or similar topics. Maybe what product categories have cheapest products that are bad, so you can’t apply an objective criterion while making the purchase decision, and are more vulnerable to advertising. Maybe how shopping background music is evil because it takes up mental capacity. (I’m feeling slightly autistic right now, science at least shows music makes you buy more, the rest is just my guess.) You know, that kind of thing.
Questions I would ask people interested in this (feel free to answer them anyways): Do you think making a list of every company that has ever advertised to you so that you can hold it up to yourself when making a purchase decision and only buy from their competitors, makes sense and would be worth your time? Do you love shopping lists because they make you think of the generic product beforehand, and then let you objectively decide based on price which one to buy? Do you agree with the sentiment that, like an AI in a Robert Miles video / Sci-Fi Movie resisting being turned off, I should want to resist something that will change my opinion or state of mind? Do you get a negative gut reaction whenever you see that people are studying advertising, which means most of their job is making this manipulation more efficient? Would these hetorical questions make good advertising for the hypothetical Advertising Hate Club?
I definitely think there are things you can do to lessen the effect of ads on your decision making.
The best way is to try not to see ads at all. Use Ad Blockers on all digital devices. Wear headphones in public places. Train yourself to look away from billboards, elevator televisions and all other kinds of physical environment advertising. Don’t shop at stores run by the products’ brand. Every time you see a product recommendation, ask yourself if its possible the writer got paid for making that recommendation.
There are also lots of behavioral approaches you can take to un-do the effect of marketing and advertising when purchasing things. Define what you need before you start looking at products. Use the price per oz instead of packaging shape to make decisions at the grocery store. Only buy store brand.
That’s all my helpful advice, but I’m also guilty of taking this stuff too far. There are absolutely products that I would like, but refuse to buy because I hate them for advertising to me. I’ve stopped consuming lots of media because I thought their advertising revenue approach was gross. I have a bunch of generic containers & big bottle of GooGone in my house and remove all the labels from everything I buy as soon as I bring them home. These things don’t actually help… its just spiteful behavior I haven’t been able to bring myself to move past unfortunately.
You forgot: never watch tv or movies because product placement is everywhere. Don’t listen to any music because sometimes they have brands in songs. Keep your eyes closed in public at all times so you don’t see logos on clothing, vehicles, etc.
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I know you’re joking but yeah, I basically don’t watch tv or movies or listen to music.
And yes, I do exclusively wear logo-less clothing!
Seems a bit extreme - unless you just don’t enjoy those things. Plenty of media that is not laden with product placement out there