Customer Reviews

Subliminal Seduction (Signet)

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Ex-professor Key was certainly one of the 20th century's most endearing cranks; he could find dirty pictures in the clouds, and said so in one of his books. His works are excellent practice for spotting logical fallacies; I owe him a debt of gratitude for igniting the fire of skepticism within me.

ML Griffin wrote: "If you ever wondered why ice in ads was so attractive get this book." Actually, if you ever wondered why ice in ads was so attractive, search Amazon.com or Google for "acrylic ice cubes."

I read this book when I was about 12 years old, and I found it very intersting. The book shows blown up images of items used in commercials, etc. Shocking how advertisers play to the lowest common denominator (sex) in order to sell their products! After reading the book, I started looking for the little tricks advertisers use that our subconscious mind does pick up on. I remember sitting there with my mouth opened just amazed by it all. I'd love to read it again as an adult. I think it would be more interesting this time around. If you don't believe in the concept of subliminal seduction, you will after reading this book.

This poignant examination of print media advertising's subliminal selling techniques in the 70s comes from a time before digital enhancements and computers, and should definitely provoke anyone to ask "if they were that good then, what are they doing to us now?!?"

My parents had this book many years ago which I read and wrote a junior high school paper on advertising using this book as research. I can clearly remember reading his book, then looking at pictures in print media and seeing the real hidden messages advertisers were placing in their ads. ( I wish I didnt throw that paper out.)
Today, after studying marketing and psychology in college, hidden messages in advertising are far more sophisticated and subtle yet still there. This book lays the groundwork for understanding advertising today, which is largely visual, but takes subliminal messages to the next level.

The perceptual threshold can be managed.

Eat Popcorn and Drink Coca-Cola,

This book is incredible it is dated but revels some of the secrets of Madison ave. I do not think this book is a hoax in fact I think such advertising methods have become worse.

Mr. Key claims subliminal sexual symbols (and images of death) or objects are often used to entice consumers to buy and use various products.

Subliminal messages bypass conscious recognition.
Here is a brief overview of some of the techniques discussed.

Subliminal Embedding

"One prevalent form of subliminal technique (Subliminal Embedding)
was described as the insertion of words or body forms (embeds) by the use of shadows or shading or the substitution of forms or shapes generally associated with the body. The consumer does not perceive them at a normal rate of awareness. And thus is given no choice whether to accept or reject the message as is the case with normal advertising."

Other methods mentioned
1 Figure ground reversals (synchronistic illusions)
2/ Embedding
3/ Double Entende
4/ Tachistoscopic displays
5/Low intensity light
6/Lighting and background sound

7/quick cuts
8/meta contrast
9/backward masking

Subliminal condition

Ad's use phrases directed at the sub level.
"I love Coke."
Beatty Crocker mmmmm moist.
Super moist
Hey hot shot aren't you coming?

If you have done any research at all, you would know that the author is a raving paranoid lunatic.

If you ever wondered why ice in ads was so attractive get this book.