I'm guessing that this is going to come and bite him big time.

[DodgyAgent]

Modern marketing research would contest that statement. I also believe that since the advent of TV and it being used as a babysitter - it's totally niave to think theres anything voluntary about it at all. We are a social experiment in conditioning - its been blamed for the recent riots and I think that arguement holds a bit of credibility.

I'm not saying all consumerism is bad, but marketing is very very powerful nowadays and it pays to be aware of it.

Marketing and Consumerism | Special Issues for Young Children
Cycle of 'compulsive consumerism' leaves British family life in crisis, Unicef study finds - Telegraph
Watch not, want not? Kids' TV time tied to consumerism

It's a very interesting topic.

So do you consume things because you are forced to by advertising?

[Scoobos]

What has happened is that there is a huge swell of entitlement and envy in this country that looks for any excuse to belittle people who create and sustain wealth. For example It may be that Bob Diamond is overpaid and not doing a good job but when people like AtW (who as a businessman and entrepreneur should know better) jump to conclusions that are founded upon nothing other than newspaper stories, it is no wonder wealth creators are villified.

There seems to be a consensus that says that if everyone was given an equal slice of the cake all our economic woes would be over.

I'm with you until you try and use Bob or any other high street bank CEO as an example you lost me. CEO's of financial institutions are merely figureheads who ponce around doing nothing other than try (vainly in my case) to intimidate and act like they know what they are doing.

Its the line of thankless execs below him that do the work - the system is in place and the figurehead is irrelevant.

Andy Hornby is a brilliant example of this - they are born with silver spoons in their mouths and do very little to actually earn their positions.

At least Bob Diamond has a good academic background thats relevant to his job!

I still dont understand when we are in a system that pushes democracy so hard, that we appear to allow totalitarian regimes inside our large corporations.

Look at their histories , on wikipedia even

These people go to Elitist unis, sent their by their wealthy parents - and walk STRAIGHT INTO executive or even managing director roles at major institutions, because they are in the circle and just go around spouting crap , surrounded by yes men - they give themselves fat pay cheques for nothing other than who they are and then when it goes tuts up , they blame the guys who set policy below him and leave for another fat cat job.

My 2 cents.

[SupremeSpod]

So do you consume things because you are forced to by advertising?

Usually it's because I'm ******* starving! Don't know about you...

[Scoobos]

So do you consume things because you are forced to by advertising?

I believe a lot of people are, tbh. I think marketing is incredible.

Obviously, as I said we all have to consume to a certain extent, but this throwaway need the next big thing model is just crap and makes sure everyone always WANTS more, but feels like they NEED it to make them happy.

If something needs marketing then you don't need it, you are being conditioned to want it. This was one of the first phrases I got in my economics course years ago. Oh and Resources are Finite, but Wants are infinite - that was another beauty.

Going further, I think there's a lot of people who seriously confuse WANTS with NEEDS.

[AtW]

For example It may be that Bob Diamond is overpaid and not doing a good job but when people like AtW (who as a businessman and entrepreneur should know better)

[DodgyAgent]

I believe a lot of people are, tbh. I think marketing is incredible.

Obviously, as I said we all have to consume to a certain extent, but this throwaway need the next big thing model is just crap and makes sure everyone always WANTS more, but feels like they NEED it to make them happy.

If something needs marketing then you don't need it, you are being conditioned to want it. This was one of the first phrases I got in my economics course years ago. Oh and Resources are Finite, but Wants are infinite - that was another beauty.

Going further, I think there's a lot of people who seriously confuse WANTS with NEEDS.

That does'nt answer my question. I was asking whether you are "brainwashed" into making decisions

[DodgyAgent]

I'm with you until you try and use Bob or any other high street bank CEO as an example you lost me. CEO's of financial institutions are merely figureheads who ponce around doing nothing other than try (vainly in my case) to intimidate and act like they know what they are doing.

Its the line of thankless execs below him that do the work - the system is in place and the figurehead is irrelevant.

Andy Hornby is a brilliant example of this - they are born with silver spoons in their mouths and do very little to actually earn their positions.

At least Bob Diamond has a good academic background thats relevant to his job!

I still dont understand when we are in a system that pushes democracy so hard, that we appear to allow totalitarian regimes inside our large corporations.

Look at their histories , on wikipedia even

These people go to Elitist unis, sent their by their wealthy parents - and walk STRAIGHT INTO executive or even managing director roles at major institutions, because they are in the circle and just go around spouting crap , surrounded by yes men - they give themselves fat pay cheques for nothing other than who they are and then when it goes tuts up , they blame the guys who set policy below him and leave for another fat cat job.

My 2 cents.

This statement tells us about you having a huge chip on your shoulder. It tells us nothing about chief execs (how would you know anyway? )

[Scoobos]

That does'nt answer my question. I was asking whether you are "brainwashed" into making decisions

Personally, yes.

I went to go watch "lost in space" remake and that still hurts today. *runs away with arms flailing wildly"

I don't feel like i do have a big chip on my shoulder tbh, but do think that theres assumptions made that these CEO's, as they like to call themselves now - are skilled practioners who've worked their way into these positions and then take the micky at everyone elses expense.

Look at hornby's background - where has the "experience" come from? He nailed HBOS completely and yet took massive bonuses.

Just how many contractors lost jobs at HBOS, then Lloyds, and to some extent RBS - due to these guys sorting themselves out at the cost of their staff?

Also, why the laugh? Why shouldnt I know some of some of these people?

[amcdonald]

Well, that's one proposal for reconciling the differences. It's actually one I quite like, especially when NI & the tax credit system are rolled up into a nice simple allowance + a flat rate on everything above it, although I suspect the resulting 46% marginal rate might come as a shock to many people.

The Institute For Fiscal Studies - Options for a UK 'flat tax': some simple simulations

But then the onus would be on who ever is in government to reduce spending once people see how much they really pay in tax. How many voters for instance know that when they buy petrol that most of the price is duty with vat added on top of the duty

With a more clued up electorate perhaps they'd be less keen on having a benefits culture

[Doggy Styles]

No, he's right. Dave's a knob.

He may well be, but it's very easy to say isn't it, sitting here.