Steven,

You're hitting on the key point -- IT developers and people in data processing are the *most* susceptible to this type of advertising. The people in IT have a tendency toward "intellectual arrogance", for lack of a better phrase, that's greater than the general population. In their minds, they can't be tricked. Because of that, we're more likely to be manipulated and controlled.

>> (That includes actual words embedded below the threshold of initial visual awareness. This was quite popular in tobacco ads. See books "Subliminal Seduction" or "Clam-Plate Orgy".<<

I've read "Subliminal Seduction" before and I may still have it on my bookshelf. Good book.

You mentioned embedded words. Guess what's in the next .NET print advertisement to be reviewed? The "Monday meeting" ad has lots of words in plain view, but they are **backwards**.

>> Have you studied psyche or marketing? Or do you just happen to notice BS? ;-) <<

More the latter than the former <g>.

I'm glad you enjoy it!

Bill Anderson


>Ok Bill,
>
>I agree with Sylvain to a certain extent, but I don't think its mere facility with words that is making your assessments enjoyable -- rather it's the analysis. I've had psyche classes in which we examined magazine/TV ads for subliminal content contained in the 'assumed story' and the literal print. (That includes actual words embedded below the threshold of initial visual awareness. This was quite popular in tobacco ads. See books "Subliminal Seduction" or "Clam-Plate Orgy". Phamaceutical ads are big into the assumed story thing.)
>
>I've enjoyed your observence of the 'assumed story'. These stories function in a very Rorschach-like manner. i.e. our brains *will* fill in the blanks, and in a usually predictable and controlable way. Interestingly, the type of persons/personalities most susceptible such "persuasion"? The technically trained/oriented/educated types!! :-)
>
>Also your storyboard-like descriptions remind me of my wife's frequent commentaries on media/ads -- she's a BA in Marketing. Have you studied psyche or marketing? Or do you just happen to notice BS? ;-)
>
>Steven-