And thats vhere we disagree. I firmly belive all manipulation is negative, for the simple reason that it in-fringes on our freedom of thought and decision (of corse, if we let it, vhich is where critical thinking comes in, something most ppl sorely lack IMO). You want to know how I come to Iwaku? It had NOTHING to do vith google ratings or anything. It only had to do vith my - my - estimate on how active the site is, after I got a good look at it before I decided to join. I didnt come here on anyones recomendation, I didnt read any review, anything. I accidently run across it, among a score of other sites. I had a good long look at each one, before deciding on this one. Simple as that. I vasnt manipulated to join here in any way, shape or form.
Next example: I never picked up any "bonus cards" for supermarkets. And it vasnt from a lack of ofers (every time I buy more then 5 products at once, the cashier ofers me a card. I refuse each time). Its all just a marketing ploy, time-limited discounts for very specific products. Yes, great... assuming I buy them in time, and I NEED them at all? I wont buy them, and I dont need them. I know beter then to be manipulated by that. Also, discount sales for electronics and stuff? A-ah. I wil go all over the city, check out all the small specialized electronics stores, just to make SURE there isnt any place I can get the product even cheaper. And in 99% cases, I'l find a better deal, if I do some leg-work.
Next - sale-baits. Oh no... takes a lot more then a flashy "on sale" sign to get me to buy something new. I'm VERY much a creature of habit, and I dont break habits easy. I weigh all the pros and cons, vhether I need/want it or not, and THEN decide. If I need/want something, I'l buy it vhether its on sale or not, even pay more, if needed. If I dont need/want it, they can give it away for free, and I wont take it.
And finaly the J.C Penney's efect. I wont even coment on this, except to say it absolutly proves my point how most people are impresionable sheep. I can assure you, I dont want to be manipulated to buy ANYTHING. And I'm not. I ignore commercials, I dont vatch TV in general, I have ADblock active at ALL times on the net, I am not a slave to corporate marketing. The LAST thing I want to do is support those parasitic leeches. I go back to the previus example, Electronics and clothing - I'l scour the whole city, every obscure smal dealer, if necesary even travel abroad, to make sure I get the best posible deal on a product. Quality product if at all posible, one I wont have to replace in 2 months. And once I get it, I stick with it, until it gives out; I wont buy a new thing if the old one stil works. Example, I use a 4 years old smartphone. I have no intention of replacing it, as long as it works and does its job.
Long story short - manipulation works, if one is a consumer. I'm not. I'm a survivalist/esentialist. Therefore I am not manipulated, for the simple reason that my value-system isnt suseptible to it.