Escape!

A cool morning. Cool and not cold. Very odd for this late in November. Do I care? No, I have plenty of wood to burn when the temps finally head downward.

I was reading a great article about “herd mentality” and grocery shopping. In an experiment, shoppers at a market were informed, via a cart mounted video screen, as to what items were most popular at that time. Odd, but those same shoppers then went on (and out of their way) to buy those very same items. In a related experiment, a group of people downloaded the music that they were told was most popular. (None of the music was popular at all) This is also why you will always see a list of “related items” whenever you buy something from Amazon. “Shoppers who bought (blank) also bought these items.” And I noticed it being used on the Netflix site; “Members in and around Chico, California are currently renting these titles much more than other Netflix members…” It seems that most people want and need validation for their choices and will always go for the most popular. Critical thought never enters into their decision making.

Of course none of this great news. Retailers (and politicians) of all sorts depend on the herd mentality. What’s sad is the fact that it’s so common. How else do you explain Bush getting a second term after failing so miserably during his first?

Anyway, forewarned is forearmed. Pay no attention to shopping carts that try to tell you what’s good on aisle 12. Cancel your subscription to People magazine. Listen to music YOU like. Stop watching Fox News. Exercise your mind!