[clnq]

How would one snap out of being seduced by feel-good marketing?

For the last six months or so, I've been aware that I want to buy an iPhone even though I have a smartphone that fulfills all my needs. The cost for the value proposition of the iPhone is inferior to many smartphones, and for me, it has zero marginal value. I don't care about the iPhone's prestige or "lifestyle" angle. There is no justification for buying it. Still, it appeals to me, and I don't know why. This could be a problem if I did not have the rational faculties of an adult. And now and then, I read about a kid saving up for an iPhone and being very disappointed/regretting the purchase.

It's seriously hazardous that we no longer have a way to opt out of this influence of advertising. I wish we did (on reasonable terms, without completely withdrawing from society). For a while in the 2010s, minimalism and anti-consumerism became more popular. But looking back, they seem to have been more of a fad. Now if a kid doesn't have an iPhone in school, it's "cringe".

[SoftTalker]

There will always be a must-have thing in high school, there always has been. In my day it was a car, and somewhat less importantly, the type of car.

Prior to driving age, it was other things. But there's always something.

[nicbou]

Ad blocking helps a lot. I have almost zero exposure to marketing. I do not follow anyone either, so I'm not exposed to their consumption habits.

It helps.

The other part is to ground your identity in a different set of values. There are many circles in which frivolous purchases are a sin. There are many people who find virtue in economy and restraint.

[lancesells]

> Still, it appeals to me, and I don't know why

I wouldn't blame yourself. Humans are curious and seek out new things. Humans like things of "beauty" and Apple does an unbelievable job of marketing & product design.

[angry_cactus]

Everything else aside, iPhones are more protected on an OPSEC level.

[lotsofpulp]

>it has zero marginal value.

Sounds like it has some marginal value, otherwise, by definition, you would not want it.

[clnq]

I don't think humans are that logical. Feel-good marketing aims to associate buying, owning, or doing something with a pleasant emotion. Whether any pleasant feelings, added value or utility are achieved by actually buying, owning or doing something is beyond the scope of this marketing. And it often is just a false promise.

[animal_spirits]

Maybe it has a social value