#Understanding consumer behavior

[ronelgomes]

Neuromarketing: how brands are manipulating your brain?

A process called neuromarketing blends marketing with neuroscience. Also discusses how consumer behavior is impacted by the marketing system and how the human brain responds to it. It influences consumer behavior, feelings, and decision-making. It examines how the brain processes and reacts to marketing-related stimuli like branding, packaging, and product design. To learn how the brain reacts to various marketing stimuli, neuromarketing strategies can utilize eye tracking, biometric tests, and brain imaging instruments like fMRI and EEG. 

[incesthemes]

my hot fandom take is that discouraging authentic interaction with fanworks through arbitrary "rules" and increasingly limited and prescriptive scripts of "acceptable" interactions damages fandom as a community perhaps just as much as passive, entitled consumers who demand free labor from fan creators without offering interaction in return

[twistmusings]

An examination of the New Jade and Floyd Cards

CW: Spoilers for the Japanese Release, Talk of the discourse about the cards and how they were handled, discussions of anatomy, very brief mention of animal death (related to consumption and preparation of Moray Eels for eating - no images are shown and it is not gone into in graphic detail.)

TW: Extensive talks about Sexualization and information on the correlation of sexualization and it's impacts in the second half of the post. There is a heading in purple if you would like to skip this section.

I touched on this very briefly in another post, but I honestly really like how the Jade and Floyd card art is handled for multiple reasons when we're talking about how it's handled and I want to give a bit of an explanation why! I am far from a marine biologist, but I was examining the biology of eels and wanted to give my two cents considering that they boys are both in their merman forms.

Of course, the cards have not released just yet, so we only have the promotional images to go off of as well as the other canon materials.

The biggest complaint I've seen over the cards generally speaking is the anatomy, but I also think that's not considering two important facts - 1: this is a dream as a few people have stated, so we're likely seeing the versions of Jade and Floyd that they see as their "ideal" or internal versions of themselves. 2: Jade and Floyd aren't human. Despite what they look like after the potion, I feel like it's important to note this because Moray Eel Anatomy is wildly different from human anatomy and that doesn't get taken into account. The second highest criticism is that these cards are overly sexualized. I will go into more depth about that, but to give my short thoughts for now, I truly think it could have been argued either way though in this instance a lot of the arguments I've seen have been rather bad faith.

So, let's get started first with the anatomy. Both cards have been criticized, for the anatomy of the drawing. Starting with Jade's card, the thing I see complained about most often is how muscular his chest and shoulders are. I think its a bit more of an issue with the clarity of the image than anything else, which yes, is an art issue but allow me to explain my line of thinking regarding this. First, examining Jade's positioning and anatomy by examining the anatomy of the art.

Bone structure is on the left and Muscles on the right

First, let's start by saying that I definitely think the anatomy of Jade's card is sort of correct, but I think what roughly equates to his trapezius muscles are a bit exaggerated for the position he's in. However, what I believe the artist is going for is that Jade is putting weight on his arms and pushing himself up, which is making his scapulae flex backwards. You see this a lot when people push themselves up out of pools using a solid object.

1. Notice how the scapula pulls the muscles of the back out to a sharp point at the end of where the bone rests.

2. Notice the way that the force exerted by pushing has caused a 'ridge line' between the different parts of the deltoid muscles.

3. The pectoral muscles seem a little more convex when the trapezius muscles are pulling them upwards.

Basically, I think the artist knew generally what they were going for, but the trapezius muscle throws it off a bit. Here's a quick edit to show what I feel like would look a little more natural for this card and likely solve a lot of the issues people have with the art.

Left: Edit to follow anatomical structures strictly

Middle: Edit to maintain the "defined" sort of ridge Jade's Deltoids have in the original card

Right: Unedited original

All of this to say, I don't necessarily think that Jade is "extremely muscular" as a lot of people have argued, because I think there's a misconception that his deltoid muscle is his bicep because of the slightly wonky scapula and trapezius and deltoid anatomy. (TLDR, I think the artist just drew his scapula and delts too low, making his neck look unnecessarily muscular because of the lighting in the card.) It's also worth noting that the pitched angle of the "camera" in this card makes his right shoulder look larger than it would if you were looking at him at a lower angle because of the perspective involved.

That being said, I think it's worth considering that Jade is also a hiker and is confirmed to go climbing, so it makes sense for Jade to have broader and more defined shoulder muscles than Floyd does. I also think it's a bit of a strange thing to argue that at 17 he shouldn't be this muscular. Yes, late teens tend to be smaller than people in their twenties because their bodies are still developing, but 17 is not prepubescent - the average 17 year old can build muscle that would be in line with the edit, especially if they regularly engage in activities that use those muscles regularly for things like rock climbing or swimming - two activities that we know that Jade does.

Whether or not this is a dealbreaker for wanting this card depends on the person - personally the anatomy doesn't bother me too much because for me it's still readable what the intention was. I can definitely see why some people might read it as Jade having a very muscular giraffe neck.

Now for Floyd's card, though I think this is relevant to both of them:

The issue I've seen most people have is particularly with his abdominal muscles being so defined. This one I can see either side of the argument on, I must admit, but I think it is worth noting that Floyd and Jade aren't human.

The reason this is relevant is because moray eels are mostly skin and muscle, with very few bones and very little fat. Granted we're taking liberties with this because they're mermen and it's not like we have x-rays of their bones to go off of.

(If you would like to see what I mean, there are videos on YouTube of Moray Eels being fileted and prepared for food. I will not link them, since that is graphic for a lot of people, but if you seek them out, it's easy to see that a moray's skin attaches pretty directly to the muscles of their bodies, and they have the epidermis (external), dermis, hypodermis, and beneath that, muscle.)

All of this to say, there's a feature we can't be certain whether or not the eel twins have, which is that in humans, there is a layer of subcutaneous fat beneath the skin, then the abdominal muscles, then a layer of visceral fat, and finally the abdominal wall that hold our organs in place.

Now, we know there's differences between Moray Eels and Moray Eel merfolk, as Jade and Floyd pretty clearly have a ribcage, however we also know that their external bodies in their merfolk form have similar fish traits for obvious reasons. To be as non-graphic about is as I can, there's a reason they're allowed to not wear clothes without this being an AO game - likely because their genital anatomy structures would be more in-line with cetaceans or fish. (It's hard to say which, because we don't really have confirmation if Merfolk are mammals or fish, which has a surprising amount of ramifications for their anatomy in regard to fat placement.) We also can't be certain if they have hip bones or if they simply have muscles that may make it appear that way.

That long and roundabout explanation is to say we can't be sure where their 'human' anatomy ends and where the 'fish' anatomy begins. It's entirely possible that below the ribcage, Jade and Floyd's only other bones are their spine. Regardless, I think either way it's entirely possible that a part of the reason their muscles look so defined is because they don't carry their fat in their bodies like humans do. I would say this is, again, pretty much up to headcanon unless we get some kind of canon confirmation that they have an organ structure from their hips up that is humanoid.

Also for any of my long-time followers, I am not letting you forget - these two still pee out of their butts in eel form. It doesn't matter if they're mammals or fish, the structures for an underwater creature would dictate that they pee out of their ass and that's hilarious. :-)

On Sexualization:

Now, finally onto the part of these cards that's controversial, which is that they are sexualized. I would like to start off by saying that, quite frankly, this is going to depend entirely on how you look at the cards and how you personally feel about them and your personal relationship to sexualization. I'm not trying to tell you how to feel about these cards, but I do want to make a case that if that is an argument that you want to make, you should do it with consideration to making your argument sound, and realize that there are going to be bad faith arguments on either side of this issue. Engaging with people who are making these bad faith arguments is going to do nothing but wear you out - they have no intention of changing their stance on the matter and quite frankly are not worth spending your time on. I would advise for your mental wellbeing to not invest yourself too much into these arguments and instead curate your internet experience so that you're not subjected to having to deal with those bad faith arguments and instead giving your time and consideration to those who actually make a case for their argument with proof.

Sexualization is a tricky subject to navigate, especially when it comes to Jade and Floyd. and I can see how an argument could be made for either side, and since there's not really a way to know the intentions of the original artist for these cards and what their biases were when making it, it's a little hard to say whether or not they were intended to be viewed that way. There are a few things to take into consideration with this argument, and I encourage you to come to your own conclusions and research more into the topic, however here are some of the points that should be considered when taking this into account:

Sexualization occurs in several ways:

A few more passages of note from the sexualization wikipedia and the pages for Pornification and Sex in Advertising:

Note: Catherine Lumby - author that frequently examines gender issues, Patrice Oppliger - has written about impact of media and popular culture on teenage demographics, Audre Lorde - Intersectional Feminist and Civil Rights activist that has written on a scope of topics regarding human-rights issues.

If these cards have a negative impact on someone, that's hard to quantify short of an intensive study or survey. Even then, it would be hard to get a good understanding of it because if you are an English Speaking TWST fan, you are limited to what opinions you would get from the rest of the English Speaking fandom. Similar sentiments go for the Japanese fandom - you will get a limited view because of the language difference, and you would likely get skewed statistics.

The age demographics for the game are older than what a lot of people think in the English-speaking fandom. Though TWST is generally pretty child friendly, the largest parts of the fandom are between the ages of 16-26. It can be surmised based on this that TWST's target demographic is older teens and young adults, and is likely designed around this.

From that same survey, Twisted Wonderland's player base is largely female.

Sexualization is a persistent issue through all types of media and advertising, but has been typically more studied in it's impact on girls who were raised in a sexualized environment.

Fans have been requesting a merfolk card for Jade and Floyd since their forms were revealed.

There should be an understanding that if an argument can be made about Jade and Floyd's cards being sexualized, this same argument should be applied to other cards from the game as well. This would include the tropical wear cards, the birthday jacket cards, several of the halloween cards, etc.

Which are the Effects of Body-Objectification and Instagram-Related Practices on Male Body Esteem? A Cross-Sectional Study

All About Sex: Global Childhood Sexualization and Education

[robbinggoodfellows]

Midnight is such a good episode of Doctor Who because it’s starts out like “ooh silly road trip episode!! yeah the doctor got overstimulated on the bus and broke all of the tvs forcing everyone to have a powerpoint night!! what a silly little episode!!” And then it’s just. The horrors.

[a-url-that-exists]

hot take Deadpool and Wolverine wasn't that good it was sort of just Ryan jacking off about how much money Disney was giving him, fanservice, and comic book/tv show references that only the most hardcore nerds would get.

[caliclover]

nalu needs to stop reading stuff that makes hyr mad. friendly reminder to protect your peace and to not let your emotions overcome you to the point you sink to the opposing side's level. la paz sea contigo

[jovenshires]

hey girl, im not sure if you're aware of this, but noah is actively im defense of israel :// he had lied a lot of tweets a couple of weeks ago defending them and has since removed a lot of them, but hasnt spoken up in support of palestine yet :(( i just wanted you to know so you don't find yourself supporting someone with harmful views ://

i did not know that. thanks for informing me!

[hecksupremechips]

Girl like. The reason he said "this is how it should be" and faced death with a smile....is cuz he wanted to die. For 2 years he sat there thinking he was worthless and deserved to die. If he hadn’t be shot, his death would’ve been suicide, he was fully planning to die in a gutter somewhere undetected. When saying "this is how it should be" hes literally saying "don’t cry because I’m dying, my death is a good thing actually because I fucking suck and you are better off without me". I don’t think that’s badass even slightly, it’s actually really sad and really shitty. Shinjiro is so convinced that he deserves to die and hates the idea of anyone giving a shit about him because he literally can’t wrap his mind around the idea that he will be missed when he’s gone, that his death is a bad thing actually. And his last words were meant to be comforting because he fully did not intend for anyone to be there when he died, he intended to die alone, so he says them as a reminder that he’s not worth crying over

Personally, if it were me, if I was holding my dying best friend in my arms who was deeply depressed and suicidal and he said "this is how it should be" uh. I wouldn’t admire him for it??? Like am I losing my mind when I say the way this game handles Shinji is bad or is anyone else seeing this too 😰

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

[phantomrose96]

You know, an interesting tumblr transformation that's happened gradually, and which I've seen no one talk about: ask-culture has essentially dropped off to nothing.

By which I mean, asks used to be WAY more of the tumblr economy. They used to be more common to send, and receive, and see. They were integral to the collaborative, forum-like behavior of old tumblr communities, not even to speak on the HUGE number of ask-blogs that used to exist to only be interacted with in ask-form.

I'm not saying this in a vying-for-attention way but instead in an observational way: I used to get way way more asks in like 2015, even with a fraction of my follower count. I wonder if it's due to the homogenization of social media sites? There's a lot more of this divide between "content creator" and "consumer" instead of just a bunch of peer blogs who would talk to each other. "Asks" aren't really a thing on twitter, are they? And as I understand it, the closest thing to an "ask" on instagram or tiktok would be a creator screenshotting some comment and responding to it in a new reel or video or whatever those content mediums are. Are asks just too tumblr-specific? Is that aspect of the site culture dying out as more and more people converge to using all their social media sites in the same way?

[sillimancer]

2024 us political landscape as someone on the lefter end of the spectrum feels kinda like the end of that one spongebob episode where he finally starts doing fry cook shit after pissing everyone off trying to act and sing and everyone's cheering for him as he gradually figures out people don't want him to act and sing they want him to make their fucking krabby patties

[amazonmarketingagency]

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[luna-azzurra]

Good Traits Gone Bad

Empathy turning into manipulation

Imagine a character who is deeply empathetic, someone who genuinely feels and understands the emotions of others. At first, this makes them incredibly compassionate and kind, always there to lend an ear or offer comfort. But over time, this empathy begins to shift. Instead of just understanding how others feel, they start to use that understanding to manipulate those around them. They know exactly what to say to get people to do what they want, twisting their caring nature into a tool for control. What once was a beautiful gift becomes a weapon, used to bend others to their will without them even realizing it.

Confidence becoming arrogance

Think of someone who exudes confidence—someone who knows their worth and isn’t afraid to go after what they want. This kind of self-assuredness is magnetic and inspiring, drawing people in. But sometimes, this confidence can grow into something darker. The character starts to believe they’re always right, that their way is the best and only way. They dismiss others’ ideas and opinions, thinking they know better than everyone else. What was once a healthy self-esteem turns into arrogance, pushing people away as they start to feel belittled and unappreciated.

Ambition turning into obsession

Picture a character who is ambitious and driven, always striving for the next big achievement. Their dedication is admirable, pushing them to work hard and aim high. But ambition can have a dark side, too. Slowly, their drive becomes an obsession. They start to focus solely on their goals, willing to sacrifice anything or anyone who stands in their way. Friends, family, and even their own health fall by the wayside as they chase success at any cost. What was once an admirable quality turns destructive, consuming them completely.

Loyalty becoming blind devotion

Loyalty is such a beautiful trait. A loyal character is dependable, someone who stands by the people they care about no matter what. But loyalty can also become dangerous if it goes too far. This character might start to overlook red flags or harmful behaviors, sticking by someone or something even when it’s clearly detrimental. They become so blindly devoted that they lose sight of their own well-being and moral compass. What starts as a positive trait turns into a kind of self-destructive stubbornness, harming them more than helping.

Courage turning into recklessness

Imagine someone who’s incredibly brave, always ready to face challenges head-on and stand up for what they believe in. At first, this courage is inspiring, giving them the strength to overcome obstacles and help others. But sometimes, courage can cross a line. It turns into recklessness, making them take unnecessary risks without considering the consequences. They start to believe they’re invincible, putting themselves and others in danger because they’re too focused on proving their bravery. What was once a powerful strength becomes a dangerous flaw.

Determination becoming stubbornness

There’s something admirable about a character who never gives up, no matter how tough things get. Their determination helps them push through difficulties and keep going when others might quit. But when that determination turns into stubbornness, it’s a different story. They refuse to change their minds, even when all the signs point to a different path. They ignore advice, dismiss alternative viewpoints, and stick to their course out of sheer willpower, even when it’s clearly not working. Their once-praiseworthy persistence becomes a source of frustration for those around them.

Optimism becoming naivety

Someone who always looks on the bright side, no matter what. Their optimism is contagious, lifting the spirits of those around them and helping them see the silver lining in every situation. But if they aren’t careful, this optimism can morph into naivety. They might start ignoring real dangers or fail to recognize when they’re being taken advantage of. Their rosy outlook makes them blind to harsh realities, and they become easily deceived or led astray, all because they’re so focused on seeing the good in everything and everyone.

Protectiveness turning into possessiveness

A character who is naturally protective of their loved ones, always looking out for them and ensuring they’re safe and happy. This protectiveness is heartwarming and makes those around them feel cherished. But when protectiveness goes too far, it can become possessiveness. The character starts to feel like they own the people they care about, becoming overly controlling and jealous. They start dictating others' actions, justifying it as care, but it’s really about their need to keep everything under their control. What started as a caring instinct turns into something suffocating and unhealthy.

Altruism becoming self-neglect

Think about a character who is incredibly selfless, always putting others' needs before their own. They’re the kind of person who would give you the shirt off their back, always ready to help, always there for everyone. But this selflessness can go too far. It turns into self-neglect, where they completely disregard their own needs and well-being. They keep giving and giving until they have nothing left, leading to burnout and exhaustion. Their altruism, while beautiful, ends up harming them because they don’t know how to set boundaries or take care of themselves.

Honesty becoming brutal bluntness

There’s a lot to be said for a character who is straightforward and honest, someone who tells it like it is and doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. People appreciate their transparency and trustworthiness. But when honesty turns into brutal bluntness, it’s no longer a positive trait. This character starts to disregard others' feelings, using their honesty as an excuse to be harsh and tactless. Their words cut deep, hurting those around them, all in the name of being truthful. What was once refreshing candor becomes a source of pain, as they lose sight of the importance of kindness in communication.

[mothy-moo]

Rambling a bit again

[marketxcel]

6 Effective Ways to Enhance Your Business with Market Research

In the fast-paced and competitive business world, staying ahead of the curve is essential for sustained success and growth. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is market research. Market research is the backbone of informed decision-making for businesses.

[vishalkoli2299]

Brand activation agency