[ExI] The atoms red herring. =|

[BillK]

On Thu, Nov 18, 2010 at 2:36 PM, Alan Grimes  wrote:
> Choice is sacred, EOD.
>
>

It is a common marketing tactic e.g.mobile phones, to give the
consumer too much choice. The consumer is baffled, with the result
that the consumer buys what he doesn't want or need, often at
substantial extra expense to him and profit to the supplier.

Alternatively you can offer a 'pretend' choice, like in the US
elections, where it makes little difference which of the two parties
you vote for, but it makes you feel like your choice made a
difference.

Or there is the famous marketing story about the ready made cake mix.
It had very poor sales until they took the egg part out and used the
slogan 'Just add an egg'. The housewife felt that by breaking an egg
into the mix she was contributing to the cake and sales went through
the roof.

Or there is the marketing trick that takes advantage of the fact that
people don't have any idea of intrinsic value.  People choose by
comparison. So the supplier provides an expensive item and a cheaper
alternative. The cheaper item is not necessarily a better buy, but
people feel that they have chosen a bargain.

Choice is over-rated and usually manipulated.


BillK