Here's something disturbing I found on Craislist... Clockwork Orange anyone?

[scubadude]

Seems companies are looking for neuro-scientists to help them in the advertising, marketing and entertainment areas. Mind control over the tv?

We are seeking highly motivated cognitive neuroscientist trained in EEG and ERP methods for the NeuroLab Director in Dallas, Texas who will be responsible for recording human neuroelectric, eye movement, and peripheral biometric data in studies designed to analyze marketing material. The successful candidate will direct technical personnel and interact with business leaders to ascertain client needs/objectives, experimental design, protocol development, data acquisition management, and analysis outcome review. You also will be responsible for the management and upkeep of the laboratory infrastructure.

I'd post a full link but I don't know if the rules would allow it.

scuba

[saltpoint]

1. The fact that it's in Dallas is in and of itself pretty creepy.

[bobthedrummer]

2. A link to Cheryl Welsh's Mind Justice.org

http://mindjustice.org

[MagickMuffin]

3. "They Live"........ OBEY

Weird they would have this listed on Craigslist:scared:



Edit more info:

Cognitive Neuroscientist

Medical/HealthPosted 10 days 5 hours 38 minutes ago. Viewed: 38 times.
Description

NeuroFocus Seeks Cognitive Neuroscientist for IMMEDIATE HIRE as
NeuroLab Director in Dallas, Texas

NeuroFocus, Inc. is the world leader in applying the latest advances in neuroscience to advertising, marketing, and entertainment, is a global strategic partner of the Nielsen Company and has experienced continuing expanding revenues over its three-year operation. NeuroFocus has built a technologically advanced state-of-the-art human “NeuroLab” electrophysiology recording facility at its Berkeley, California headquarters and is implementing additional centers.

We are seeking highly motivated cognitive neuroscientist trained in EEG and ERP methods for the NeuroLab Director in Dallas, Texas who will be responsible for recording human neuroelectric, eye movement, and peripheral biometric data in studies designed to analyze marketing material. The successful candidate will direct technical personnel and interact with business leaders to ascertain client needs/objectives, experimental design, protocol development, data acquisition management, and analysis outcome review. You also will be responsible for the management and upkeep of the laboratory infrastructure.

A Ph.D. or M.D., post-doctorial training, and expertise in human EEG/ERP recording methods, data analysis, and strong scientific background in cognitive neuroscience required. Background should include management experience of laboratory groups, interaction with scientific counterparts, superior personal and speaking skills necessary; publication record, presentation a meetings, and two references for candidates obtaining their graduate degree within the last 5 years. Employment location is at the NeuroLab facility in Dallas, Texas.
Salary: Annual salary of $100K-$150K (depending on qualifications) + Starting Bonus + Health Insurance + Performance Bonus + Generous Stock Options

Contact information

Email Application Letter and CV to:
John Polich, Ph.D.
Director, Global NeuroLab Operations
[e-mail]

[Fleshdancer]

4. Neuromarketing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromarketing

Neuromarketing is a new field of marketing that studies consumers' sensorimotor, cognitive, and affective response to marketing stimuli. Researchers use technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure changes in activity in parts of the brain, electroencephalography (EEG) to measure activity in specific regional spectra of the brain response, and/or sensors to measure changes in one's physiological state (heart rate, respiratory rate, galvanic skin response) to learn why consumers make the decisions they do, and what part of the brain is telling them to do it.

Marketing analysts will use neuromarketing to better measure a consumer's preference, as the verbal response given to the question, "Do you like this product?" may not always be the true answer due to cognitive bias. This knowledge will help marketers create products and services designed more effectively and marketing campaigns focused more on the brain's response.

Coke vs. Pepsi

In a study from the group of Read Montague, the director of the Human Neuroimaging Lab and the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, published in 2004 in Neuron], 67 people had their brains scanned while being given the "Pepsi Challenge", a blind taste test of Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Half the subjects choose Pepsi, and Pepsi tended to produce a stronger response than Coke in the brain's ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a region thought to process feelings of reward. But when the subjects were told they were drinking Coke three-quarters said that Coke tasted better. Their brain activity had also changed. The lateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that scientists say governs high-level cognitive powers, and the hippocampus, an area related to memory, were now being used, indicating that the consumers were thinking about Coke and relating it to memories and other impressions. The results demonstrated that Pepsi should have half the market share, but in reality consumers are buying Coke for reasons related less to their taste preferences and more to their experience with the Coke brand.

[fujiyama]

23. Interesting

That's the field my friend's girlfriend is getting her PhD from - from one of the best technical schools in the nation.

[bertman]

5. All of this high-tech, psychological/psychiatric manipulation stuff is very scary.

Just the other day I had an interesting discussion with someone who is in he bio-engineering bidness. He is all excited about the "advances" in crop research and animal cloning--including in humans.

Sorry, but this is too far removed from the natural world for my taste.

But, thanks for keeping us apprised, Scuba.

[ret5hd]

6. Searching for a neuroscientist on craigslist?

color me sceptical.

[leftstreet]

9. lol I thought the same thing n/t

[Xithras]

37. Craigslist is now the biggest job board on the Internet

Any HR director doing online job postings who ISN'T posting to CraigsList isn't doing their job. The CL job boards are now have more users and jobs than Monster and Careerbuilder combined.

[Thickasabrick]

7. I am so glad I gave up the teevee!! eom

[EstimatedProphet]

8. So?

Studying how the mind makes decisions during an ad is hardly brainwashing. It's no more brainwashing than using focus groups to see what people think of an ad.

[scubadude]

10. Brainwashing, no. Disturbing, yes.

People attached to machines measuring their blood pressure, heart rate, eye dilation, skin conductance, EEG, EKG, and who knows what else is a wee bit removed from a discussion group.

Do you deny that what they are doing is researching the subtle art of mental manipulation? What can we do onscreen that will be more memorable than ever before? What are the kinds of images that tend to stick? How can we make people more likely to buy our product? How do people react physically and mentally to the subject at hand?

By the way, my Son works at Stanford with some of the most highly regarded neuroscientists in the world. He is studying to become one at this very moment.

Scuba

[EstimatedProphet]

26. Disturbing, no.

Do you deny that what they are doing is researching the subtle art of mental manipulation? What can we do onscreen that will be more memorable than ever before? What are the kinds of images that tend to stick? How can we make people more likely to buy our product? How do people react physically and mentally to the subject at hand?

Yes, I do. How is this any different than any other advertising? Measuring a lot of meristcs which are going on anyway does not really concern me, and is being blown up by you and others in this thread as a kind of mind control. You were the one who called this A Clockwork Orange, after all. Where's the programming element? So an advertiser finds out that a certain color or design may draw more attention or be more memorable - and? Do you really think this is programming? I don't.

[scubadude]

36. It is one step in the direction of programming.

How could it not be? Isn't it true that if you understand what creates a response, you can guide at least some people to it or away from it?

To deny that we are constantly being manipulated by ads (which intentionally create certain responses) denies the effectiveness of advertising itself. If it didn't work, why would they spend literally billions of dollars on it each year? Why is it necessary to create a science around it? I'll tell you why. They want you to buy their product and want to do it in the most effective way possible.

The pharmaceutical industry is the perfect example. They want to make money, so they create medicines to help you. It just happens that some are addictive. That's why they say use only short term... There are too many examples to list of drugs that are meant for short term use but are used long term and are practically impossible to kick.

If they can create a compulsion to cause more sales, all the better. You may not be old enough to remember this but up until the mid 70's there were no expiration dates on most drugs. These dates were invented by advertising and marketing executives to sell more drugs. Gee, if we can make them think what they are taking should be thrown away because it's too old they will buy more product. Now almost everything has a sell by or throw away date. Even sealed medications that last for decades. Of course there are some where time does matter, but the add agencies don't bother to tell everyone that these are the exception, not the rule.

How about vitamins. Take one every day and you will be insured of having your daily requirement of all the important vitamins and minerals you need, whether your diet calls for them or not.

Cigarette companies the same thing. How many cigarette ads were there in the 40's through the 60's that actually touted the health benefits of smoking? My doctor smokes Camels... I guess that isn't manipulation at all.

Scuba

[conscious evolution]

30. The work this lab is doing

is not brainwashing.
What it appears to be is an effort to study/determine which FORM of brainwashing has the best effect on the target audience/consumer.I would also bet that they will be using the results to tweak standard brainwashing/indoctrination techniques that are already being used in advertising and other avenues requiring control of the subjects thought patterns.

[KittyWampus]

11. I've posted several times about neuro-marketing. DU'ers THINK they know why they choose things

Fact is, marketers have extremely sophisticated methods of manipulating us on a subconscious level without our being aware of it.

[seabeyond]

12. are you kidding, there is a whole board for getting it at this very moment

and are totally cool with it.

[scubadude]

13. Yeah, and who owns marketing companies?

I just cannot help but think that this type of data could be used for political manipulation too. Is that Ludwig Van playing in the background? Noooooo.....

Scuba

[KittyWampus]

14. first I heard of details was about the marketing of SUV's. Not just how they were marketed

by how the actual DESIGN PROCESS was geared towards influencing our perceptions of vehicles. Some guy who actually participated in the research was interviewed on NPR. Grills that looked like clenched teeth, wheel wells that looked like clenched fists etc. All aesthetic/design decisions made to make the SUV appeal to our Reptilian Brain.

[scubadude]

16. Our reptilian brains?

Are you a fan of Carl Sagan because that rings a bell. The Dragons Of Eden comes to mind.

And what works for affinity may be different than what works for avoidance. Imagine incorporating the negative types of manipulation to paint your opponent's "product", whatever that may be, in a negative light, while painting yours in glowing terms, all tuned in to the base instinct level.

It sure is a Brave New World eh?

Scuba

[marksmithfield]

20. That sounds like

a bunch of hooey to me. Grilles on vehicles have looked like clenched teeth since they quit producing model T's. Sounds more like someone has an agenda. My SUV wheel wells look like wheel wells. As far as the marketing research goes, there is nothing unusual about the job or the company. This is just the best way for a company to try and test their advertising. Put away the roll of tin foil, if you don't want the product don't buy it.

[KittyWampus]

22. Sure, you're immune. LOL!

[Orangepeel]

21. marketers aren't really as smart as people tend to give them credit for being

neuro-marketing is at a level of sophistication akin to "funny ads make this part of the brain light up!"

Not that they aren't trying, and of course consumers should be wary. But it is mostly hype by ad agencies/marketing research companies to try to convince clients that they actually understand and can manipulate behavior.

[and-justice-for-all]

15. This is nothing new...

So I do not understand what the ad is for. Marketing and PR firms know the neurological and psychological effects the boobtube has on our brain and decision making.

In Al Gore's book, "The Assualt On Reason", he explains it very clearly.

[scubadude]

17. There is always more to learn. Improving technology will always ...

create ever more sophisticated ways to examine things.

Until we can completely and accurately model human behavior digitally there will be research conducted to do so. After that, it won't matter.

Scuba

[jmowreader]

18. Someone's looking for an H1B

I don't know what the going rate for neuroscientists is, but I don't think they surf Craigslist looking for work. When no one answers their ad...hey! There's obviously not a qualified American worker!

[fujiyama]

24. LOL

It did seem odd that they would list such a job on Craig's List of all places...

[marksmithfield]

27. I'ts right there next to the

Have truck will haul ad.

[earth mom]

19. They've been brainwashing the public for years-how is this new? nt

[Edweird]

25. Sounds a little more like 'Max Headroom' to me, but I'm splitting hairs...

[InkAddict]

28. What's worse - tests will be on children.

Brought to you by a creepy corp more famous for keeping a private CD4 lab - seeking under Non-Profit category on the Columbus, OH page 2/12- go look.

Study activities involve working in teams of two interviewers to conduct computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) with parents and administer standard neurobehavioral assessment tests to parents and children ages 6-15.


Wait a minute - not sure this is the same thing but equally creepy.

[lunatica]

29. They do this stuff every single time they test market anything. Focus groups.

Example, I worked in a lab once where new foods ready to go on the market to be sold as pre-packaged snacks or quick heat up dinners, etc. were extensively tested for more than just taste or allowable chemicals, but also for eye appeal, texture, aftertaste, color etc. Every aspect is given a multiple choice answer from poor to excellent, then at the end comments are allowed, mostly for ways to improve the food. Test were given and analyzed by people with doctorates in the field. they also used spectrometer tests to analyze all the ingredients.

This isn't new at all. They do it with video games too. It's one of the reasons the video games improved so fast over the years.

The Bush administration did it to roll out their latest policy and the wording they used. Bush called them 'focus groups'

[scubadude]

32. They give eeg's and and ekg's for food testing?

I think this is a little different that what you are describing. Did you read the add?
Maybe I'm wrong here but it sure seems different to me.

Scuba

[lunatica]

33. My point is that marketing is an ongoing industry

And that it evolves. There may be some nefarious agendas but it's a fact of life.

[scubadude]

35. Yes, it is a fact of life one must be aware of.

That is the point. That is the reason for the Clockwork Orange reference. Remember Alex, being fed a stream of images that created within him an absolute revulsion to violence?

What if it were possible for advertisers to create advertisements that were impossible to refuse. That created an absolute compulsion to act.

Is that the goal here? I'm not saying researchers are anywhere near that capability now but perhaps in the future we will be even more like sheeple than we are now...

The Repubs are wetting their pants at the thought. They own the media. They own the advertising agencies.

Anyone want to head to the Korova milk bar?

Best,
Scuba

[ThomWV]

31. Each day there are 2 or 3 posts that are really worth pondering - this is one of them.

Scubadude has done us a good turn today by posting this - and his observation in reply number 10 give clarity as to his point. This isn't about advertising or about television and its mind-numbing effects. This is about subtle manipulation and if not controlled at least very predictable results from inputs that we aren't even aware of. The naysayers will say its all baloney. They are wrong.

There is an even darker concern; what about its application in reverse? Can your loyalty to a product be determined by scan? How about your loyalty to god and country? How about your suitability to live with the rest of us, can that be determined by scan, or will it take just a little more to perfect the system before that can be done?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

34. 60 Minutes did a segment on real mind reading and it sure looks like it's not too far off.

Apparently everyone stores certain words or phrases in the same general location in the brain with slight variances based on things like experiences. The trick is, and it looks like what's happening, mapping those locations.

They read one of the producers' mind on camera while hooked up to the MRI? CAT? (can't remember which one) and got ten out of ten words correct.

Talk about lie detectors.

[scubadude]

38. Yes, subtle manipulation is the goal.

The way it permeates our lives, in the background, but ever present.

In another post I explained one simple form of "programming" and I believe it bears repeating.

Expiration dates.

Here is link to some important info.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update1103a.shtml

Of course they tout the benefits but I believe the chief thing to take from this article is that manufacturers have decided to use very short expiration dates. The law requires them to print these dates, even though 90% of the drugs tested were still good 15 years after the manufacturers chosen expiration date. 15 years.

How many people reflexively check expiration dates before taking medications? I would venture to guess that there are at least some. Have they been programmed? Not exactly, but perhaps being lied to to create a certain response has brought them close.

Scuba