I think that much of what you mention here could be applied to bloggers as well. Finding an authentic voice is something that they need to work towards and if that means being unfiltered and letting go of the fear of pushing publish (on posts that you think you shouldn’t), then so be it.

I’d put more value in Lisa’s own observations, presented as such, without any need to back them up with some junk pseudo science pop psychology “study”. I’d also feel better about my tax bill knowing less money was wasted on junk.

There are reasons why we don’t have money for serious research, but spend wastefully on lots of crappy stuff. One of them has to do with how we support the crap and criticize the stuff that takes time and commitment but doesn’t yield immediate, remarkable, “I knew that was true” claims.

Note: I didn’t look to see if the research cited was taxpayer supported, but most of it is either directly through grants or fellowships, or indirectly through the universities and their faculty.

High school kids aren’t real people, don’t bring them into this.

Ha! :)

But it’s not always a choice. Some people, despite how much they HATE Comcast, have to use the service because it’s the only option. Sometimes you’re stuck with a company because that’s how the world works. We don’t always have the option to choose “authentic”, that’s why we get really excited and vocal when we do.

I think he’s more arguing with the methods & conclusions of the study you cited.

Its still a choice. In this day and age if you choose to engage fakes, while fully aware of them being fake. Then maybe you are fake too.

Case closed.

Its ridiculous to assume that behavior can change based on what you are wearing.

Did you attend high school?

It’s not about wearing you’re wearing a knockoff or the real thing. It’s whether you know that YOU’RE either being real or you’re not being real. In the study, they kept participating for the money, I’d imagine, but we do the same thing IRL. We’re just not paid for it. IMO. :)

I don’t think it’s bullshit. I think it shows an interesting relationship between feeling inauthentic and the types of behavior that inspires in people. People interact with authentic brands differently than they do with inauthentic ones — because it’s a matter of the feeling they give off and what inspires in you. I know it all sounds very rainbows and sunshine, but sometimes its about rainbows and sunshine. I wouldn’t steal a pair of shoes from Zappos. I would, however, have no problem thefting 6 months of free cable from Comcast.