Reddit reviews Coercion: Why We Listen to What "They" Say

I read Coercion back in college and it was good. Rushkoff has done a couple of Nova specials too.

Coersion by Douglas Rushkoff

Coercion by Douglas Rushkoff

Coercion: Why We Listen to What "They" Say by Douglas Rushkoff

Before I read it, I thought I knew how advertising and consumerism had invaded every aspect of our culture. Now I realize I had no idea. I can no longer look at anything without skepticism.

Without getting to deep, there was a great book on coercion, basically mentions faith slightly, but really is about marketing. One of the key elements of getting into a persons mind and making them do what you want, to think the way you want them to is through utter WTF confusion. A great example was most malls are designed to get you lost and be bright and full of lights to get you to feel out of your element and buy buy buy.
The point I make here is perhaps this story was just so WTF the Dad's mind just took it in and this is what he tried to pass on to you. Like a mind virus ..... anyways below is a plug to the book. I thought it was great stuff.
http://www.amazon.ca/Coercion-Douglas-Rushkoff/dp/157322829X/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290190150&sr=1-5

> But how can we be manipulated so easily?

Read this, then read this, and then read this. None of these books can be condensed in to an ELI5 answer, and the third book has some dated examples (although they are just as relevant as ever), but they are well worth your time and have the answers you seek.