Emotions are Winning Out Over Reason

"There's nothing wrong with selling stuff, just as there is nothing wrong with buying stuff. But what has happened over time is that advertisers have become more sophisticated and more effective at bypassing the simple, straightforward type of message they used to deliver, which generally appealed to reason or common sense.

Advertisers have learned that it is more effective to bypass the rational part of the brain and instead target the emotions, crafting messages that appeal to pleasure, or give you a feeling of need you never knew you had, or take advantage of your weakness for convenience and instant gratification."

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 26-27