> Prof. Tim wrote:
> >I'm a big fan of the Ideohazard(tm) as well, but let's face it--you
can't
> >sell Dilbert salt shakers until you have a Dilbert. The icon moves the
> >product in this culture, not the other way round.
> >
> >If you know cases that disprove this, then please, /bring on your
> >evidence./
>
> Ah, well, I wonder at this. Moxie, for instance, was it a soft drink or
> an attitude? The pairing of an icon with a product does nevertheless
> require some object to pair the icon with first. Did salt shakers come
> before Dilbert? No. When I was a child, I needed a lunch box. I was given
> the opportunity to pick out my own. I picked a Hopalong Cassidy one, cuz
> he was my hero at the time- later I picked a Zorro one.
So, let me understand this:
Hopalong Cassidy Lunchboxes were selected for in the competitive Lunchbox
market niche, on the basis of your previous relationship with the pictured
icon (hero-worship). And later, Zorro lunchboxes were selected for, for a
similar reason.
Correct?
> Would I pick up a
> CoV lunch box today (if I needed one) and take the time to explain to
> people what the hell it meant, since no immediate 'brand' recognition was
> available? Yes.
Can we assume that the reasons for /this/ selection would be similar to
those of the above?
> Which came first? Some products come out before brand
> recognition is possible- it is the product that is the real key for me.
The product's demand is mostly constant. Market-share shifts inside the
limits of that fixed demand. PR effects which brand of said product is
bought and therefore dictates market-share. Effective PR increases
market-share.
Or:
The environmental niche for a species is mostly constant. Selection of
genotypes operates on variations of the species that are in that niche.
Attributes of the phenotype (sex appeal, longevity, fecundity, etc.) effect
which variation of the genotype gets to mate and pass on its genes. "Good"
attributes increase that genes population.
Or:
The human need for a model of the world is mostly constant. Philosophies,
religions, sciences (memes in general) all vie for converts from this pool
of need. Qualities of the state of mind generated by, or associated with,
the given meme (feeling of understanding, belief that one possesses the
truth, conviction of future success) cause people to chose one meme over
another. "Good" qualities for your meme to possess or be associated with
are those that get chosen by people.
And creating associations is meme engineering. (And PR too!)
-Prof. Tim