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posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday July 15 2015, @06:42PM   Printer-friendly
from the illusion-of-choice dept.

Shoppers like to think they're in control of their own food decisions, but there's actually a complex web of manipulations between supermarkets and food processors going on behind the scenes.

Who's really in charge at the supermarket? Most of us assume that we're in control of our own shopping decisions. After all, we are the ones with a grocery list in one hand and a wallet in the other. It should be that way. But the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) doesn't believe it's so. Most shoppers, even the most conscientious and frugal, can fall victim to the manipulations of a food industry that pairs up with supermarkets to influence our purchasing decisions.
...
1) Unconscious Mind

Our unconscious minds rely on habit and what's deemed comfortable and familiar to us. Supermarkets use tools such as windowless buildings, forgettable music, large carts, scrumptious bakery smells, and constantly reorganized aisles to make shoppers stay longer and, by extension, spend more.
...
2) Defaults

Defaults are what you get at the supermarket, unless you actively choose something else. This can be packaging size, product formulations, or standard food combinations.
...
3) Willpower Reserves

Supermarkets and food processors count on the fact that many of us will go shopping at the end of a long day, perhaps on the way home from work, or with tired, hungry kids in tow. That's when it's hardest to rely on willpower reserves.

It must explain why Cheetos constantly show up in the shopping cart.


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  • (Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @09:06PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @09:06PM (#209593)

    I really don't understand the response to this article, or the article itself. Do people here really think that individuals lack self-determination, and have no responsibility for their choices? Let's take a look at what the article asserts.

    1) Unconscious Mind

    First this label is completely wrong. They are talking about convenience and time wasting.

    Are we really saying that it's evil for retailers to make their most profitable items the easiest for people to reach.

    Unless you think there are mind-control rays going on or something, then this seems entirely a consumer's own choice. If you care enough to pay attention you buy the best deal for your circumstances. If you want to not think and grab what is closest at hand, then that's your choice and fine too. It's the same logic of coupons. Those who care will get the better tailored (and possibly cheaper) option, and those who don't won't. It's the person's choice. There's no dirty trick here.

    2) Defaults

    This label is also completely wrong for what they describe. They are talking about how food manufacturers have been trying to make food taste better in order to sell more.

    So to be clear, it's now bad for producers to make food that people think tastes good. Uhh... okay? So they should only make food which tastes bad? Are they to blame for consumers making the choice to buy food which tastes better over a food which is healthier?

    3) Willpower Reserves

    So the supermarket is to blame for when people choose to shop there? I'm sure if supermarkets could dictate when people shopped there they would love to have that ability, and would organize shopping time completely differently...

    I started off skeptical, but in actually reading this article in detail in formulating a response it is actively making me angry. It's full of drivel and assumes people are brainless chattel not responsible for their own choices. Clearly there is a continuum where if all stores only carried heavily processed and unhealthy food they would be to blame... but do people here really think that is true? Maybe in some "food deserts," but everywhere? This article sounds like superficial oversimplified thoughtless corporation bashing. I know nothing about CSPI besides this article, but as it stands now my best guess is it is some kind of false-flag operation to make consumer protection organizations look bad.

    This site generally has better content (and more technical content) than slashdot, but if this submission becomes the new norm I fear for its future...

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  • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @09:32PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @09:32PM (#209618)

    I was wondering how long it would take a randian uberman to show up and unintentionally validate the article by denying it in anger. Bravo sir! Never change! Not that you could, being exactly the kind of person most susceptible to this shit because they believe they are immune to it.

    • (Score: 2) by fnj on Wednesday July 15 2015, @10:06PM

      by fnj (1654) on Wednesday July 15 2015, @10:06PM (#209645)

      I was wondering how long it would take a randian uberman to show up and unintentionally validate the article by denying it in anger. Bravo sir! Never change! Not that you could, being exactly the kind of person most susceptible to this shit because they believe they are immune to it.

      Bzzzt. No, bright eyes, just no. This may surprise pseudo-intellectual know-it-all pricks, but some people actually possess intelligence, will power and self control. Project if you want to; I can't stop you; but you're full of shit.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @11:35PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @11:35PM (#209683)

        > some people actually possess intelligence, will power and self control.

        Another contribution from the peanut-brain gallery of self-styled ubermen proving that he's not actually an uberman. Nobody has infinite reserves of any of those things.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @11:50PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @11:50PM (#209692)

          Keep name-calling I'm about to come

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @01:57AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @01:57AM (#209747)

            > Keep name-calling I'm about to come

            I didn't realize your name was Randy.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @02:41AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @02:41AM (#209763)

    Mod the parent up.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @03:47AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @03:47AM (#209787)

      > Mod the parent up.

      Ah, but that would be allowing yourself to be manipulated and proof that you do not have self-determination. Thus any mods the post receives would disprove the content of the post.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @03:57AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @03:57AM (#209791)

        Mod the parent down: dumb ac.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @04:40AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @04:40AM (#209806)

          A crafty appeal to social marginalization to effect group action. I say, the force is strong with this one. Not OT VIII strong, but still a very skilled padawan.