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Here’s what I’m up to…

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    Image "/approve" by hobvias sudoneighm, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Image “/approve” by hobvias sudoneighm, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

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  • Universal Mind Control?

    Over the last few years, I’ve had the feeling that the Universe is Talking To Me.

    Not with words. The Universe is bigger than my language skills. And not in a tinfoil-hat kinda way.

    I've stopped ignoring the messages from the universe. Photo "Brothers in a Dangerous Trade" by Joel Penner, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    I’ve stopped ignoring the messages from the universe. Photo “Brothers in a Dangerous Trade” by Joel Penner, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    These Messages From The Universe appear as coincidences in my life. We all have them.

    Some people would miss these. Some may see the coincidences but ignore them.

    I’ve started paying attention. (more…)

  • And Now, A Message from the Universe

    I’ve written other posts about the messages I’ve received from the Universe. Yeah I know it sounds crazy. Maybe they’re coincidences. Maybe it’s cognitive bias, lending make-believe support to my theory.

    But if the Universe’s Messages are helpful, why would I ignore them?

    With Persuasion techniques, you can be ahead of the game. Photo "Black & White" by Dean Strelau, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    With Persuasion techniques, you can be ahead of the game. Photo “Black & White” by Dean Strelau, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    Here’s a message that I am listening to. I think you are, too. (more…)

  • Kanye talks Emotional Intelligence

    Kanye West is persuasive. As Scott Adams has noted, he’s rocketed to success in industries where he wasn’t expected to succeed. Kanye may be running for President in 2020.

    Hear Kanye talk about Emotional Intelligence here.

  • Baked Beans Bring Hopkins Back (My Life in Advertising: Chapter 9)

    Do you like to barbecue? How about baked beans, do you like them?

    I like baked beans especially at a barbecue. They’re sweet, with a touch of tomato, brown sugar, and pork. They remind me of summer days and paper plates.

    But I don’t eat baked beans weekly.

    Summer barbecue in 1913. Looks refreshing, doesn't it? Photo courtesy Orange County Archives
    Summer barbecue in 1913. I don’t know if they served baked beans. Looks refreshing, doesn’t it? Photo courtesy Orange County Archives

    Apparently in the early 1900s, baked beans were all the rage. People couldn’t get enough. Baked beans were frequently homemade. They would sometimes ferment while cooking. Other times they would explode in the 16 hour cooking process. That didn’t stop anyone.

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  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

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  • Kanye West Reminds Us He’s Running for POTUS 2020

    Kayne West, fashion designer and hiphop mover, recently interrupted his San Jose, California show to tell his audience that Trump is a Genius.

    Amid boos from his fans, Kanye spent about 20 minutes discussing the election and current events. Kanye said he supports Trump’s non-political history and his communication style. He also suggested people need to focus less on racism.

    Kanye West in Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey Thomas,
    Kanye West in Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2016. Photo (c) Jeffrey Thomas

    If you read the headlines and Twitter reactions, you’d think Kanye had joined the KKK. People think that Kanye no longer believes racism is a problem. Their cognitive dissonance is showing:

    Of course, the headline is never the true story. It’s an emotional hook — you click because you can’t believe that’s really what happened. And it’s not. (more…)

  • Persuasion Posts of the Week

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  • Medical Claims My Eye (My Life in Advertising: Chapter 7)

    I am blown away at the number of medical commercials on TV these days (in the US). They’re a huge portion of the evening broadcast. You can’t watch network television without being warned of ED.

    What's the TV suggest today? Photo "Television" by dailyinvention, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    What’s the TV suggest today? Visual Messages play a large part in our receptiveness to an advert. Photo “Television” by dailyinvention, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    Did you know that advertising pharmaceuticals directly to consumers is the most common way people receive health communications? It’s true. No one is suggesting the viewers get off their asses to exercise. There’s no money in advertising the health benefits of zucchini — unless you’re the Food Network!

    No one wants to hear the bad news of health issues. Instead, we’re fed commercials of attractive actors frolicking in a meadow. The visual message is Happiness, even as the voice-over suggests the medicine might cause exactly what it’s trying to prevent. Everyone is interested in a sunnier life.

    Apparently, these ads are an improvement from what was published 100 years ago. (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

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