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REVIEWS


Martin Howard’s book is entertaining yet McLuhanesque - filled with engaging graphics and provocative but easy-to-follow guidelines for maintaining autonomy in a world made of marketing. This is a far more accessible and applicable treatment of my material for a wider audience looking to understand what is happening in our commercialized culture, and how to lead a life guided by meaning in spite of it all.”
Douglas Rushkoff

‘must read’ for any interested in business, marketing, consumerism and beyond,
Midwest Book Review
“captures precisely what’s going on at the moment... a fascinating overview of all the marketing tactics that are working to influence consumers on a much subtler level than traditional advertising...It’s well-done.” AdPulp

“a vibrantly designed, practical introduction to how we are psychologically influenced as a result of intentional strategic design”
BuzzFlash

a guide to maintaining autonomy of thought in a world more and more dominated world from the marketing, the publicity and the disinformation.”
Libero (Italy)

a classic... very easy to understand”
La Republicca (Italy)

"something we badly need, a readable, usable guide that brings to light these hidden mechanisms of consumer control.... could easily be a textbook for a much-needed freethinking school curriculum"
News From Nowhere
“in order to get at the truth, you should read this great soft cover, beautifully produced with exceptional graphics and quotes about ‘how they change your mind. It is a brilliantly conceived book"  John Austin

"Solid primer about the ways your mind can be and is controlled by corporations looking to make you buy their stuff. This will freak you out.Quimby’s


ARTICLES

Sensory Manipulation at the Supermarket?

Do you ever wonder why things are so hard to find in the Supermarket? The longer you walk around, the more likely you are to make extra unplanned purchases. Visual layout tricks and scientifically tested muzak are incredibly successful at extracting more money from your wallet.

Propaganda in a Democracy

When it's time to launch a war or cover up an environmental catastrophe, the government's first phone call is to their public relations firm. These opinion engineers are paid to "manage" public perception of inconvenient facts, and turn them around for better. Using fear, patriotism, and simplistic slogans, these high flying spin doctors are paid to sway the population.


Data Mines: Predicting your next purchase.

Your medical records, political profile and spending habits can zip around the country two million times before you've had breakfast. The information about you that is available for sale might surprise you - it can attract unwanted attention from marketers, and if you're unlucky, you could get treated as a security threat at the airport.


Trend: Planted News Stories

The best way to catch ad avoiders is to plant the promotion in a news story. Take the latest 'miracle drug' story on last nights news - was it genuine news or was it just a carefully packaged VNR. TV newsrooms love these free news items that are circulated around the networks, it saves them time and money. But it pushes out community news and genuine investigative reporting.


Secret buzz agents can stalk you on the street and in your home.

People can get paid to become local undercover agents for the latest soft drink, magazine or gadget. It works like this: they promise to secretly promote a product to their friends or family without them finding out. The more people they tell, the more they get paid. Others are paid to drive around a new car and park it where everyone can see it. Some pretend to be tourists, or stage elaborate pranks in public places, to draw attention to the product they are advertising.


Would you fall for a crazy cult?

If you think you wouldn't, you would make at ideal recruit. Those most vulnerable are the ones who think that they could never be tricked into adopting a bizarre belief. By using simple mind control techniques, cult leaders create a magnetic appeal for curious seeker. Modern cults cruise universities and personal columns for new followers and are growing rapidly.

"...filled with engaging graphics and provocative but easy-to-follow guidelines for maintaining autonomy in a world made of marketing."
Douglas Rushkoff

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