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  • November 26, 2011 at 10:13 PM #19318
    paramount
    Participant

    I have often wondered – not arrogantly – about the psychology of Black Friday.

    I think this is one of the best explanations:

    November 26, 2011 at 10:33 PM #733435
    briansd1
    Guest

    Talking about animalistic instincts, the sports fans display that the most in my opinion, much more so than the shoppers who wait in line.

    The hardcore sports fans are much greater in numbers than shoppers who wait in line once a year.

    November 26, 2011 at 10:34 PM #733436
    zk
    Participant

    paramount, you’re kidding, right?

    Or do you really think that people act that way because they’re “chemically lobotomized” by fluoride, flu shots, chemotherapy, mercury, aspartame, and msg?

    November 26, 2011 at 10:41 PM #733437
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=zk]paramount, you’re kidding, right?

    Or do you really think that people act that way because they’re “chemically lobotomized” by fluoride, flu shots, chemotherapy, mercury, aspartame, and msg?[/quote]

    The behavior seems irrational so must be the explanation.

    I’m not sure what the cause is, but the behavior is on the fight or flight level.

    As was pointed out, it’s not like the stuff is free..

    November 26, 2011 at 10:44 PM #733438
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=briansd1]Talking about animalistic instincts, the sports fans display that the most in my opinion, much more so than the shoppers who wait in line.

    The hardcore sports fans are much greater in numbers than shoppers who wait in line once a year.[/quote]

    Yes, and that is well understood by the NFL and the military for example.

    I think it was a pigg who pointed out that military and patriotic imagery is strategically flashed at NFL games.

    November 26, 2011 at 10:46 PM #733439
    zk
    Participant

    [quote=paramount]

    The behavior seems irrational so must be the explanation.

    [/quote]

    I see. So, by your logic, before the invention of all those chemicals there was no irrational behavior. Must’ve been nice.

    November 26, 2011 at 10:55 PM #733441
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=briansd1]Talking about animalistic instincts, the sports fans display that the most in my opinion, much more so than the shoppers who wait in line.

    The hardcore sports fans are much greater in numbers than shoppers who wait in line once a year.[/quote]

    A huge police presence tonight at the USC/UCLA game to prevent fights and other mayhem – why would people fight over a game they are not even playing?

    November 26, 2011 at 10:59 PM #733440
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=zk][quote=paramount]

    The behavior seems irrational so must be the explanation.

    [/quote]

    I see. So, by your logic, before the invention of all those chemicals there was no irrational behavior. Must’ve been nice.[/quote]

    Not quite, since I’m not committed to an explanation.

    But I wonder if ‘irrational’ behavior/choices are on the increase due to chemicals, chem trails and too many rats in the cage.

    Or maybe the behavior is not irrational at all since we really are animals.

    November 26, 2011 at 11:01 PM #733442
    zk
    Participant

    [quote=paramount]Not quite, since I’m not committed to an explanation.
    [/quote]

    Ok, I think you left out a word or something. What did you mean to say here:

    [quote=paramount]

    The behavior seems irrational so must be the explanation.

    [/quote]

    November 26, 2011 at 11:11 PM #733443
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=zk][quote=paramount]Not quite, since I’m not committed to an explanation.
    [/quote]

    Ok, I think you left out a word or something. What did you mean to say here:

    [quote=paramount]

    The behavior seems irrational so must be the explanation.

    [/quote][/quote]

    Easy: I don’t know what the explanation is…

    November 26, 2011 at 11:13 PM #733444
    zk
    Participant

    Ok, rereading it, I guess you mean that if the behavior is irrational, then the explanation of that behavior must also be irrational.

    But that doesn’t make any sense at all. Of course there are many rational explanations for various irrational behaviors.

    Why do you think that a “chemically lobotomized” population is “one of the best explanations” for this behavior?

    November 26, 2011 at 11:18 PM #733445
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=zk]Ok, rereading it, I guess you mean that if the behavior is irrational, then the explanation of that behavior must also be irrational.

    But that doesn’t make any sense at all. Of course there are many rational explanations for various irrational behaviors.

    [/quote]

    Please enlighten.

    Since there are many, how about just 3 (for the case of mob mentality as it relates to so-called Black Friday)?

    November 26, 2011 at 11:37 PM #733446
    paramount
    Participant

    There are pharmaceuticals and fluoride in our water supply
    Our food is genetically modified
    Food packaging leaches chemicals
    Preservatives, colorants, antibiotics, dyes and many other chemicals in our food
    Pesticides
    Chem trails
    Vaccinations
    The pharma industrial complex has us on all types of drugs

    I’m sure there is some biological effect from all of this junk being ingested by so many Americans.

    We’ve been exposed.

    November 26, 2011 at 11:37 PM #733447
    zk
    Participant

    [quote=paramount]
    Please enlighten.

    Since there are many, how about just 3 (for the case of mob mentality as it relates to so-called Black Friday)?[/quote]

    I said there were many rational explanations for various irrational behaviors, not for each irrational behavior. For instance, if a schizophrenic hears voices telling him to kill his mailman, and he kills him, there’s one rational explanation for that. The poor bastard had schizophrenia.

    As far as black Friday behavior goes, it’s just basic human nature. You put a bunch of people in a position where they’ve been listening to hype for weeks, they’ve been waiting in line for hours, their adrenaline is flowing, the moment they’ve been waiting and preparing for arrives, and they can’t think of their fellow man any more, only the coveted goal that awaits them if they push and run and grab. So they push and run and grab.

    It doesn’t take much to make humans, especially in a group, act irrationally. They’ve certainly been doing it since long before any of the aforementioned chemicals were invented.

    So I still don’t understand why you think this is “one of the best explanations.” Please enlighten.

    [quote=paramount]There are pharmaceuticals and fluoride in our water supply
    Our food is genetically modified
    Food packaging leaches chemicals
    Preservatives, colorants, antibiotics, dyes and many other chemicals in our food
    Chem trails
    Vaccinations
    The pharma industrial complex has us on all types of drugs

    I’m sure there is some biological effect from all of this junk being ingested by so many Americans.

    We’ve been exposed.[/quote]

    You’re sure? How are you sure? And what makes you think that the “biological effect” is strong enough to modify our behavior? Do you have any proof? Any evidence? Anything at all besides random b.s. youtube videos?

    Also, if you think that all these chemicals are adversely affecting our health and our behavior, do you think the government should step in and more aggressively regulate these chemicals?

    November 27, 2011 at 12:11 AM #733448
    paramount
    Participant

    [quote=zk]

    As far as black Friday behavior goes, it’s just basic human nature. You put a bunch of people in a position where they’ve been listening to hype for weeks, they’ve been waiting in line for hours, their adrenaline is flowing, the moment they’ve been waiting and preparing for arrives, and they can’t think of their fellow man any more, only the coveted goal that awaits them if they push and run and grab. So they push and run and grab.

    It doesn’t take much to make humans, especially in a group, act irrationally. They’ve certainly been doing it since long before any of the aforementioned chemicals were invented.

    [/quote]

    That’s really an unsatisfying explanation (and largely incorrect) and really only address potential behavior in the moment. In the midst of a mob scene – well that part of the behavior is well understood.

    The real question is that given a choice to be home in bed (for most), why do some people choose in some cases to camp out on a cold sidewalk for days just to save a few bucks (maybe…). Or wait in line for hours on end in the cold to get a shot of saving a few messily bucks in most cases. Often just for ‘stuff’ – so it’s not for survival.

    Q: What reasoning sets in motion that makes Black Friday so appealing in the 1st place? Is it the hype? No, not really.

    A: It’s an addiction – an addiction to consumerism and the drive to maintain an illusion of a living standard that is not sustainable.

    Could that addiction and illusion be partially induced by chemicals, much like a smoker is addicted to cigarettes via nicotine. Diminishing ones ability to make rational choices. Sure, it is possible.

    In the face of declining buying power, many people/families are willing to resort to basic behaviors to feed the addiction and maintain the illusion.

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