Warning ahead: Prepare for the ultimate gaslighting

[NaN]

https://forge.medium.com/prepare-for-the-ultimate-gaslighting-6a8ce3f0a0e0

TLDR:

...get ready, my friends. What is about to be unleashed on American society will be the greatest campaign ever created to get you to feel normal again. It will come from brands, it will come from government, it will even come from each other, and it will come from the left and from the right.

I think most of us on using this site have developed the armor to avoid this, but still, it is probably going to be so strong some here might trend towards the other direction with this battle. There have already been the early articles in even so much as NYTimes, "HAHA, look at those who quit their job and tried to FIRE. They're screwed now. HAHA". Expect it to get worse, even though the irony is that adopting practices to get to FIRE make you more robust during situations like this.

[Slee_stack]

I believe just about everything the article claims will happen.

I also believe you are right that this forum will not fall for much if any of it.

The average American consumma suckka has no chance.

[Kris]

I believe just about everything the article claims will happen.

I also believe you are right that this forum will not fall for much if any of it.

The average American consumma suckka has no chance.

Agree.

I’ve seen this article shared quite a bit in recent days, and most who share or comment on it are blown away, as if by an enormous revelation.

My reaction was basically, of course.

[desk_jockey]

Thanks for sharing the link.

[bacchi]

This is a similar article.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/coronavirus-signal-capitalism-200330092216678.html

Without a return to "normal," we slide into governments nationalizing businesses and more stimulus payments.


We'll go back to "normal" of course. It'll take more than one pandemic to change society.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Didn't Bush have something similar to say after 9/11? Spend more to defeat the terrorists.....

[EscapeVelocity2020]

It's an interesting take on what is about to happen (and I agree that life isn't so bad without the consumerism, but isn't a sustainable utopia either - people will start killing each other as opposed to marvel at the clear blue sky if starving).  The reality is that the US is going to try to re-open and now science is the only thing that matters.  There's a lot of data out there (with more coming) and smart people with powerful technology in a race to stop this twin attack of viral spread and economic collapse...  I'm excited that missives like this are being published and see this new light being shed on our existence as a silver lining, but what ever happened to humble writing that didn't try to capture the whole world in one opinion piece. 

Ultimately, no, we are not all going to be subject to a Men In Black amnesia blast.  The internet has archives and people have memories.  Whatever life is like on the other side of this, it will not go back to 2019.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

Didn't Bush have something similar to say after 9/11? Spend more to defeat the terrorists.....

Although that was gross, it doesn't apply to anything in this thread.  The whole point of Bush saying that after 9/11 was to prove to the terrorists that they had not won (Americans would not be cowed, so to speak) and their actions did not change the American way of life.  The coronavirus is not attacking only Americans using terrorism and does not really care if humans go back to consumerism or not - although I guess some forms of consumerism would help it spread more quickly. 

[js82]

Ultimately, no, we are not all going to be subject to a Men In Black amnesia blast.  The internet has archives and people have memories.  Whatever life is like on the other side of this, it will not go back to 2019.

People won't forget it, but you can be damn sure that people will attempt to rewrite the narrative for years to come - although it's not yet clear what that narrative will be.  Subsequent generations may see this event very differently than we do.

"History is written by the victors", as they say.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Didn't Bush have something similar to say after 9/11? Spend more to defeat the terrorists.....

Although that was gross, it doesn't apply to anything in this thread.  The whole point of Bush saying that after 9/11 was to prove to the terrorists that they had not won (Americans would not be cowed, so to speak) and their actions did not change the American way of life.  The coronavirus is not attacking only Americans using terrorism and does not really care if humans go back to consumerism or not - although I guess some forms of consumerism would help it spread more quickly.

He encouraged consumerism to keep your economy moving. It may have been framed as for defeating terrorists but it had nothing to do with them. A bunch of blokes in turbans don't give a fuck if Peggy Sue buys a new toaster to defeat terrorism!

[RWTL]

Thanks for sharing.  Hopefully the mustashian principles have helped train us to see past the gaslighting.

[LWYRUP]

Ultimately, no, we are not all going to be subject to a Men In Black amnesia blast.  The internet has archives and people have memories.  Whatever life is like on the other side of this, it will not go back to 2019.

People won't forget it, but you can be damn sure that people will attempt to rewrite the narrative for years to come - although it's not yet clear what that narrative will be.  Subsequent generations may see this event very differently than we do.

"History is written by the victors", as they say.

Agreed.  I still remember being chided by the MSM in mid February for thinking this was going to be worse than the flu.

Starting this summer the "OMG let's all spend spend spend" propoganda will be very strong.

[Buffaloski Boris]

Interesting article and it's probably right that there will be a lot of emphasis to returning to normalcy.  But what does that normal look like?  And are people who already have their BS sensors pegged to 110 going to listen anyway?

Maybe it's my own "normalcy bias" but I see marketing being much, much more difficult than it was 20 years ago.  Ads on TV?  I'm watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. I don't see them.  Newspaper?  What's that?  Internet ads?  Adblocker. Telemarketing? Goes straight to voicemail or hung up on in 2 seconds. As for news coverage, many people don't seem to care for it and if they do, already have their preferred source of validation (e.g. MSNBC vs FoxNews).

Persuading people of anything for a significant period of time is difficult. Heck, take a look at reactions to shutdowns.  I guess most people are compliant, but that's becoming less so.  There are already protests of the lockdowns in several states.  And we're not talking some petty thing; this virus could potentially kill you and/or yours.     

[Dicey]

They can try to fucking gaslight all they want. The beauty of reaching FIRE is the power it gives you as an individual. For example, I can choose to self quarantine for as long as I want. I don't need a bloated Chee-to to tell me to get back to work/spending/commuting/whatever.

[bacchi]

Maybe it's my own "normalcy bias" but I see marketing being much, much more difficult than it was 20 years ago.  Ads on TV?  I'm watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. I don't see them.  Newspaper?  What's that?  Internet ads?  Adblocker. Telemarketing? Goes straight to voicemail or hung up on in 2 seconds. As for news coverage, many people don't seem to care for it and if they do, already have their preferred source of validation (e.g. MSNBC vs FoxNews).

Facebook ads, tiktok ads, and IG influencers.

I don't see many ads either but there are millions of people following celebs and influencers on IG. Feed them something to buy or somewhere to travel and it'll start all over again.

[Morning Glory]

Maybe it's my own "normalcy bias" but I see marketing being much, much more difficult than it was 20 years ago.  Ads on TV?  I'm watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. I don't see them.  Newspaper?  What's that?  Internet ads?  Adblocker. Telemarketing? Goes straight to voicemail or hung up on in 2 seconds. As for news coverage, many people don't seem to care for it and if they do, already have their preferred source of validation (e.g. MSNBC vs FoxNews).

Facebook ads, tiktok ads, and IG influencers.

I don't see many ads either but there are millions of people following celebs and influencers on IG. Feed them something to buy or somewhere to travel and it'll start all over again.

Don't forget the more subtle form of marketing in tv and movies by presentation of what is normal. For example a tv family having 2 cars and a big house in the suburbs, or a group of friends in the city with huge apartments  and new clothes every episode.

They tell us how to style our hair, how to celebrate holidays, whether to be fat or thin, what parts of our bodies to shave, even what to name our kids. None of this is new.

[GuitarStv]

I cut my own hair in a style first popularized in the early 1900s, don't celebrate the holidays, shave my legs in the summer, and named my son James.  Am I immune?  :P

[Villanelle]

Interesting article and it's probably right that there will be a lot of emphasis to returning to normalcy.  But what does that normal look like?  And are people who already have their BS sensors pegged to 110 going to listen anyway?

Maybe it's my own "normalcy bias" but I see marketing being much, much more difficult than it was 20 years ago.  Ads on TV?  I'm watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. I don't see them.  Newspaper?  What's that?  Internet ads?  Adblocker. Telemarketing? Goes straight to voicemail or hung up on in 2 seconds. As for news coverage, many people don't seem to care for it and if they do, already have their preferred source of validation (e.g. MSNBC vs FoxNews).

Persuading people of anything for a significant period of time is difficult. Heck, take a look at reactions to shutdowns.  I guess most people are compliant, but that's becoming less so.  There are already protests of the lockdowns in several states.  And we're not talking some petty thing; this virus could potentially kill you and/or yours.     

You think you aren't seeing ads via Prime and Netflix?  That Chevy (TM) driven by the lead character who nonchalantly uses her convenience keyless entry, or the delicious Coke (TM) consumed by the hero of the piece?  Advertising.  Husband and I have a little game where we make a "ding!" sound every time we see one of these "subtle" product placement moments in a show. 

You walk or drive or bike past billboards and even just store signage.  A truck with branding drives past you on the highway. 

And that's before you look at things like Facebook, Instagram, etc. 

Ads are everywhere. 

[Paul der Krake]

I cut my own hair in a style first popularized in the early 1900s, don't celebrate the holidays, shave my legs in the summer, and named my son James.  Am I immune?  :P

You got that name from literally the most purchased book in the history of the world, what a sheep.

[GuitarStv]

I cut my own hair in a style first popularized in the early 1900s, don't celebrate the holidays, shave my legs in the summer, and named my son James.  Am I immune?  :P

You got that name from literally the most purchased book in the history of the world, what a sheep.

Star Trek fanfic has really gone up in the world since last I checked.  :P

[Morning Glory]

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/

I have only seen the first segment of this series. It's about how the tobacco industry convinced a generation of women to smoke. The same tactics are used today but for different products. We even have a whole tv channel dedicated to getting you to buy granite counter tops.

[FiveSigmas]

I cut my own hair in a style first popularized in the early 1900s, don't celebrate the holidays, shave my legs in the summer, and named my son James.  Am I immune?  :P

You got that name from literally the most purchased book in the history of the world, what a sheep.

When I start seeing ads for locust-extermination services, I’ll start to worry.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/

I have only seen the first segment of this series. It's about how the tobacco industry convinced a generation of women to smoke. The same tactics are used today but for different products. We even have a whole tv channel dedicated to getting you to buy granite counter tops.

Advertising has worked like this from the get go. They create the problem, and then solve it.

[Paul der Krake]

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/

I have only seen the first segment of this series. It's about how the tobacco industry convinced a generation of women to smoke. The same tactics are used today but for different products. We even have a whole tv channel dedicated to getting you to buy granite counter tops.

Thankfully us men are immune to such tactics. No testicle owner has ever been convinced to buy something they didn't need. This is why America is known the world over for being populated with lentils-eating, bicycle-riding alphas.

[Gremlin]

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/

I have only seen the first segment of this series. It's about how the tobacco industry convinced a generation of women to smoke. The same tactics are used today but for different products. We even have a whole tv channel dedicated to getting you to buy granite counter tops.

Thankfully us men are immune to such tactics. No testicle owner has ever been convinced to buy something they didn't need. This is why America is known the world over for being populated with lentils-eating, bicycle-riding alphas.

LOL.  But to be fair, bicycle-riding MAMALs are some of the biggest targets...

[FiveSigmas]

I cut my own hair in a style first popularized in the early 1900s, don't celebrate the holidays, shave my legs in the summer, and named my son James.  Am I immune?  :P

You got that name from literally the most purchased book in the history of the world, what a sheep.

When I start seeing ads for locust-extermination services, I’ll start to worry.

Okay, maybe locusts were a bad example. A spike in ads for hearing aids, maybe?

[cerat0n1a]

This is a similar article.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/coronavirus-signal-capitalism-200330092216678.html

(Slightly O/T - I like Paul Mason, who wrote that article, but I'm amused that someone who has a degree in Music and has worked as a freelance journalist for the past 20+ years can now describe himself as an economist.)

[Dicey]

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/

I have only seen the first segment of this series. It's about how the tobacco industry convinced a generation of women to smoke. The same tactics are used today but for different products. We even have a whole tv channel dedicated to getting you to buy granite counter tops.

Oh, dear. Granite countertops are so yesterday's news. It's all about quartz these days, doncha know? /s

[Morning Glory]

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/

I have only seen the first segment of this series. It's about how the tobacco industry convinced a generation of women to smoke. The same tactics are used today but for different products. We even have a whole tv channel dedicated to getting you to buy granite counter tops.

Oh, dear. Granite countertops are so yesterday's news. It's all about quartz these days, doncha know? /s

I am overdue for the dentist because of corona virus so I am behind on house styles. I liked the article by the mcmansion lady about leaving your house alone.

[Leisured]

Thank you for the gaslighting link NaN

[somebody8198]

This isn't news and the article reads like it was written by a college freshman in an intro to philosophy class. Of course brands will use any opportunity to try to sell you how warm and friendly and caring and wonderful their product is. They do this in every circumstance, no matter what's going on.

If an asteroid was headed at the earth and we just barely deflected it with the entire nuclear arsenal, there would be Coca Cola ads like "The asteroid has passed us by. But don't let life pass you by. (TM)" and then there would be a video of models with pure white teeth smiling while drinking coke.

I've already seen ads that start with the pitiful, dreadful piano and then a woman's voice chimes in, "We're here for you during this trying time... Brawny paper towels." Or whatever brand it happens to be.

No need to be dramatic, this is the ad people doing their jobs.

[ketchup]

Interesting article and it's probably right that there will be a lot of emphasis to returning to normalcy.  But what does that normal look like?  And are people who already have their BS sensors pegged to 110 going to listen anyway?

Maybe it's my own "normalcy bias" but I see marketing being much, much more difficult than it was 20 years ago.  Ads on TV?  I'm watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. I don't see them.  Newspaper?  What's that?  Internet ads?  Adblocker. Telemarketing? Goes straight to voicemail or hung up on in 2 seconds. As for news coverage, many people don't seem to care for it and if they do, already have their preferred source of validation (e.g. MSNBC vs FoxNews).

Persuading people of anything for a significant period of time is difficult. Heck, take a look at reactions to shutdowns.  I guess most people are compliant, but that's becoming less so.  There are already protests of the lockdowns in several states.  And we're not talking some petty thing; this virus could potentially kill you and/or yours.     

You think you aren't seeing ads via Prime and Netflix?  That Chevy (TM) driven by the lead character who nonchalantly uses her convenience keyless entry, or the delicious Coke (TM) consumed by the hero of the piece?  Advertising.  Husband and I have a little game where we make a "ding!" sound every time we see one of these "subtle" product placement moments in a show. 

You walk or drive or bike past billboards and even just store signage.  A truck with branding drives past you on the highway. 

And that's before you look at things like Facebook, Instagram, etc. 

Ads are everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCz1CigY2FM

[LWYRUP]

This isn't news and the article reads like it was written by a college freshman in an intro to philosophy class. Of course brands will use any opportunity to try to sell you how warm and friendly and caring and wonderful their product is. They do this in every circumstance, no matter what's going on.

If an asteroid was headed at the earth and we just barely deflected it with the entire nuclear arsenal, there would be Coca Cola ads like "The asteroid has passed us by. But don't let life pass you by. (TM)" and then there would be a video of models with pure white teeth smiling while drinking coke.

I've already seen ads that start with the pitiful, dreadful piano and then a woman's voice chimes in, "We're here for you during this trying time... Brawny paper towels." Or whatever brand it happens to be.

No need to be dramatic, this is the ad people doing their jobs.

I laughed out loud at this. 

[phildonnia]

Others have pointed out that the FIRE community will go largely unaffected by the coming advertising blitz, for the simple reason that they already ignore advertising. 

However I am hopeful that everyone else will also become resilient as well.  Here's why:

We have been told for the past few months to "only buy what you need", and there has developed now a strong social stigma to consumption.  It's possible that people will hit on the question: Why shouldn't I "only buy what I need" in the normal course? 

This event may make people realize that eating at home turned out not to be so bad after all.  We could live this way all the time. 

Maybe not so extreme as that, but I think the trend will be toward lower unnecessary consumption overall, and some adoption of financial habits that also happen to be FIRE-oriented.

But against my thesis, I am totally going to book a cruise as soon as this is over.