Neuromarketing & the Illusion of Free Choice

"It's all about money, not freedom. Nothing to do with freedom. If you think you're free, try going somewhere without money."

" Go back to bed, America. Your government is in control again... You are free to do what we tell you!"
-Both quotes from Bill Hicks

I recently watched the documentary "Neuromarketing: How Brands are Manipulating Your Brain | Consumer Decisions Documentary" on Java Discover. One of the training modules I have used in my coaching practice is titled, "Humans Are Emotional Creatures" because, well, we are. Even though people might love to think they make business and financial decisions using cold, pure logic... ❌ nope!

In this documentary, they use the dictionary definition of manipulation as "shrewd or devious management, especially for one's own advantage," particularly when the other person does not know that's what you're doing.

So what happens and what are the ethics involved when companies intentionally use neuroscience as neuromarketing? In other words: is it ethical when you are manipulated into making certain decisions without the knowledge that you are being manipulated?

Links I mention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNbDw4NUf-Q

https://www.smh.com.au/national/rewriting-the-rule-book-so-dining-out-doesnt-leave-a-bad-taste-20130608-2nx3d.html

https://hbr.org/2019/01/neuromarketing-what-you-need-to-know

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/14/yuval-noah-harari-the-new-threat-to-liberal-democracy


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