Class discussion sparks emotion

WARNING: This is an entry from my journal (yes, I write in a journal...lol). It is long, a rant, and has no pictures (deadly combo!)....read if you dare.

Today I was a little surprised by the reaction of my class to a proposed ethical dilemma. The assignment was small, but it did make me think and get a little passionate. My class was presented with the topic of subliminal messages. Although the degree of effectiveness of subliminal messages is unknown and doubtful, I struggle to agree with any use of unconscious persuasion and control.

In class we primarily focused on subliminal messages used in businesses. The messages may be used for ‘good causes’ or ‘manipulative goals’. Some good cause subliminal messages can help employees love their jobs or prevent theft by employees and customers. Examples of the subliminal messages are “You love your job. You are a great salesman.” and “Do not steal. If you steal ,you will go to jail.” These messages are repeated throughout the day and unconsciously heard. On the other hand, some obvious manipulative uses of subliminal messages are to convince customers to purchase products that they would not have autonomously purchased on their own. These messages could be as simple as “Smell the freshly baked cookies. You want cookies.”

The majority of my class was not troubled by any of these messages –for good or manipulative purposes. My class argued that the good uses have beneficial end results –being happy at your job and not stealing. They also were not phased by the manipulative messages. My class felt the customers were only being gently pushed to purchase cookies they already desired anyways. I see this viewpoint, but I think felt it was a narrow view. Being happy at your job and not stealing are good ends, but I don’t think the method (the means) to obtaining these results should be so easily accepted. I may be crazy, but easily accepting the use of subliminal messages makes me uncomfortable. Uses like subliminal messages take away our autonomy. People do not act freely, and instead, they act as the message commands.

This class discussion made me recognize how much I value the freedom to independently make decisions. This freedom allows us to use our minds, challenge processes, and grow. Autonomy is a good that should not be easily sacrificed for any amount of an alternative good. If someone is unhappy with a situation, the I don't think the individual needs a subliminal message to become happy at the work. The individual is unhappy for a reason(s) that needs to be addressed. Uncovering and handling these reasons should be the goal, not burying them. Additionally, ‘bad feelings’ can bring about positive change. For example, being unhappy at work (a bad thing) may encourage an individual to do things a little differently and bring about a good in the future. Similarly, people should not steal because of a subliminal message, they shoudn't steal because ‘not stealing’ is the right thing. A message that unconsciously convinces people to not steal is a short-term solution. Understanding that ‘not stealing’ is the right thing is more important than the outcome itself. Realistically this can probably never be universally achieved, but I still think it's the direction worth going. I compare this short-term solution to the wise saying “If you give a man a fish, he can eat for the day. But if you teach a man to fish, he can eat everyday.” A command (in this case, a subliminal message) makes someone act rightly that day. But if people learn to do things for the right reasons, they will act rightly everyday.

It slightly worries me how easily my class was willing to sacrifice autonomy for instant results. I know I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but I'm realizing how much I value autonomy. This may be due to my upbringing. My parents allowed me to make my own decisions. They offered advice at serious times, but they let me go through the process of making a decision. They always said, “It is a parent’s job to make sure his/her child can live independently when the parents aren't around.” This goes hand in hand with autonomy. I wasn’t told what to do but taught how to decide what to do --how to govern myself. Sometimes my decisions have gotten me into trouble (and it continues to sometimes), but I go through the process and learn. My parents did not want to raise a robot that merely followed commands. I really do love that I was raised this way.

Subliminal messages are a minor issue, but I think easy acceptance of minor issues can lead to future problems. Society might be becoming much too dependent on (or desensitized to) technology to solve problems. Quicker results from technology seem to be preferred over the longer process of learning and understanding the reasoning behind good actions. And don’t get me wrong, the inventors of technological advances (and the creators of subliminal manipulations) are greatly impressive thinkers. However, I just don't want to see the broader society become overly dependent on their technological innovations to solve everything. Technology can do a lot, but it shouldn't substitute decision-making. Stealing and hating one's job are problems, but failing to understand the reasoning behind a right action is a larger problem. I think we should avoid things like subliminal messages at all costs to protect autonomy. We need not become robot-like. Learning to make the right decisions and understanding the reasons behind these decisions is a valuable process in the long-run.

Sorry if I sounded too much like George Orwell’s “1984” world of big brother manipulation.