invisible narrative

                                             Blog : Invisible Narrative

Ariely does well explaining why people are so quick to get things just because there free. It stunned me because I never really thought about it until I read her paper on “Cost of Zero”.  Almost at every store I go in to I see a  buy something get something free. A few years back American Eagle had a sign, try on a pair of jeans and you can get a free phone.  I went inside to check it out.  The trick was they want you to try on a pair hoping you would like them and purchase them, then with the phone you have to get a 2 years contract.  I figured out the catch. Every time I’m in the grocery store I see all types of stuff they have free on. “Buy 2 Boxes of Cheese Its and get the 3^rd one free. “ If you really sit down and think, do you really need 3 boxes of cheese its? No. I really like the example Ariely said in the book about Amazon. You need one book but they have a promotion buy 2 books and get free shipping. When in reality the buyer probably doesn’t need another book and the book most like cost more than what shipping coast.  The buyer is spending more than he or she would if she would have just bought the book they need with shipping. People love hearing the word free.  The invisible narrative is anything free is good. But the buyer usually doesn’t really that he or she is spending more to receive that “free” item.  McMurfy also does well explaining about American.  He shows how everyone expects men not to cry and be strong. Throughout America’s history, men were always considered strong mentally and physically no matter what the situation is.  They were told at young age violence I glory, a real men is warrior and etc.  Men were expected to play football, be rough, and etc.  Since these men are “strong”, they are expected to go to the army and fight for their country/family. However they don’t realize that after math of going to the army. They usually go because of the money or so their family can have what they need. Most of the time after they don’t have any more money, no college degree, and no job. They don’t realize the choice they made until after their done serving in the army. The outcome of following what Americans believe a real man is fame, wealth, popularity, and success. Lastly Martin talks about egg and sperm.  He writes about how men are compared to women even in science textbooks. It explains how sperm can reproduce about 2 trillion and how female’s eggs can only do 500 in a life time. I have never thought or really see that even in science men are compared to females. I see it in real life but I never would think that they would actually compare sperm and egg.  They shouldn’t compare the two because everyone is equal but even in the work force  or at home men are better than women although women take more responsibilities then men.  A man’s role is active, adventurous, questing, and etc.; Women’s role is too passive to wait for men. If a woman is to try to take lead or do what she feels, she is considered dangerous or evil. But if a man were to do what he wants and lead he is looked at like a role model, good, and a leader.  It shows no matter what it is people will always think men are better than women.