The Art of Persuasion

Persuasion.

I have always struggled with this word.  My inner moral compass always tends to spin in a 360 degree direction when I contemplate the many ways I could influence another individual for my own personal benefit.  Is not the most basic meaning of freedom for an individual is to be able to make his or her own choices and decisions with out an others persuasion?

But then I reflect on the utility of persuasion.  Without the use of persuasion there would be no incentive for companies to fabricate the most advanced products that is possible. If companies could not persuade customers to buy their product then why manufacture the product at all?  Would a world without persuasion just lead to dead ends and lost capital?

Being a retail associate in the fly fishing industry, I have had many opportunities to examine and apply persuasion.  As an employee I was instructed to arrange the merchandise to where that the customers would view the most expensive and "boutique" items first.  I believe that this tactic gives the customer a nudge to purchase these products.  We as consumers obviously always want the best possible product that is available on the market. If retailers can, for lack of a better term, force these items into the eyes of the consumers, then the consumer will experience a sense of tunnel vision for that particular product and will take little consideration into the alternatives.  I experience this phenomena myself when I'm scouring store shelves for my next purchase.  I frequently find myself trapped in the bright lights of beautifully displayed items.  These techniques both subliminally and blatantly cater to my desire for purchasing the "biggest and the best" that manufacturers can offer.

To conclude this post, regardless of the utility of persuasion I will still struggle with the morality of it.  I concede and recognize that there is no preverbal gun being held to the consumers head when they make a purchase.  But, the thought of taking advantage of an individuals wants and desires for my own personal gain will always make me question the ethics of the art of persuasion.