marketing 101

You never contradict customers. Always listen to your customers. Give the people what the they want. The customer is always right. I am sure you heard all these before. You probably have had someone tell you about these at one point or another. 

These guidelines are meant to drive sales. To get people to buy more of what it is you are selling. These are the mantras of consumerism. You don't want to say no to your customers. You don't want to point out that they ask for something that is impossible to get. You don't say wrong when they are wrong. You don't want them to think twice.

If people want an energy drink but they don't want to get fat, then you give them an energy drink without calories. Never mind that this makes no sense whatsoever. Never mind that it would be better if they got off the lazy couch and exercised a bit. Or stopped eating junk food and drinking sodas all day long. You do not want to educate your customers. You want to sell them stuff. Even if it is bad for them. Especially when it is bad for them!

Politicians understand that too. If people want to protect the environment and get cheap gas, well then you promise them cheap gas and environmental stewardship. Never mind that these two things are incompatible. Never mind that the only way to get people to pollute less is to drive gas prices sky-high. Don't even try to point out to people that their desires are contradictory. Just give them what they ask for.

We are a generation of spoiled brats. We all grew up at a time when prosperity was rampant. We got whatever we wanted and then some. We soon came to expect to have all our wishes fulfilled. And now we are raising another generation of people who are even more spoiled. Even more disconnected from reality. With even more unrealistic expectations. It should surprise nobody then, that one day this will all come crashing down. And there will be a lot of unprepared people out there crying wolf. Only this time, nobody will heed their calls.