Mirror Neuron

Scientist find that there are unusual brain circuits are mirrors in the mind that reflect the actions and intentions of others as if they were our own, new research has revealed. Scientists call them mirror neurons. They allow us to feel a loved one's pain, or suffer the pangs of appetite when we hear someone crunch into an apple. They are a reason we are moved by the images of art and can feel the appeal of characters in a book. In pychology terminology, we call it empathy.

This finding also arouse the interest of marketers. Becuase these cells are subconscious seeds of social behavior that also can be manipulated to boost sales, generate fads or influence political beliefs.

But this idea of manipulating human being's mind annoys me. Nowaways, we are already bombarded by all kind of marketing weapons. As long as the purpose is to trigger our real interest rather than to hoodwind us, I am fine with it. There must be a certain constrains over how far the marketing tactics can go. Otherwise, it might be backfired. Actually I don't know how our mirror neurons will be manipulated. I don't think it would work for me by taking pills or taking electronic shocks. The most scary scenario is that we take the marketer's scam in an unconcitious way.