The internet; shopping; the decision-making process

Once upon a time, we needed (or wanted) to buy something, maybe spoke to some friends, maybe browsed a catalogue; then we went to the shops, and usually before the morning or afternoon was out, we bought something.

Now we live in a consumer culture that's increasingly dominated by the internet, and people find themselves / choose to be in the position of having to speculate about goods and services based on web content, be it advertising or consumer feedback, or other people's public speculation.

LFGSS is rife with the latter two, as are most special interest online communities, but is it a good thing, whatever that means? By feeding the hunger for consumer advice, are we ultimately helping to create a society of people who no longer have the ability to make decisions for themselves, or take responsibility for the painfully and unnecessarily drawn out decisions they eventually make? What happens when this loss of faculty spills over into other aspects of people's lives? I think I might need to take a shit at some point soon - does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do? Go now? Wait a bit? Try and force it? Maybe do a wee first and see what happens?

FFS.

You writing a thesis or something Doc?

Don't try and force it. It'll leave you an unsatisfactory finish.

Don't try and force it. It'll leave you an unsatisfactory finish.

^ This

But don't leave it too long, or it'll end up like extracting stubborn coal.

sometimes a good coffee can help

Ask yourself- what would Scoble do?

agreed, coffee and a fag will leave you with no decision making power.
The decision is made for you.

Options paralysis can be uncomfortable if left for too long.

it's lunch time should i have sushi or a baked potato

anyone ?

I think I might need to take a shit at some point soon - does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do? Go now? Wait a bit? Try and force it? Maybe do a wee first and see what happens?

Just listen to your heart

By using the experiences of all those people who have tried shitting in many different ways (and shared the pros and cons on the internet), you can quickly find out which method most people prefer for taking a shit.

You'll try this method and you might not like it. But then you will find your preferred method of taking a shit.

I wipe standing up. Many people wipe sitting down.

I dont think it matters BMMF.
the endless opportunities for consumption havent turned me into a consumer zombie searching for more, more, more.
If anything, in these times people dont need to fuck around with folly.

Go now? Wait a bit?

Treat yourself, splash out!

^ Bidet?

Whatever you do, take a photo of it and ask us what we think of it.

Buy less.

Shit Ride more.

Check your phone first and see if there is an 'app for that'
I came to a similar conclusion whilst on my travels the other week.

I think people need to check their mobile phones now just to make sure they are still alive.
"I have an iPhone, therefore I am"

"iPhone, therefore I am"

.

(BTW, this went in 'General' rather than 'M&M' because I couldn't be fucked navigating beyond the main drop down)

I feel like action needs to be taken to stop the rot, probably a lengthy campaign of misinformation.

Just to clarify, I mean deliberate and whimsical misinformation, not the kind of thing Scoble and his ilk like to peddle. Scoble's bad enough, but don't get me fucking started on his ilk.

I recomend this ilk with porter style antles as ideal touring starting setups.

Thanks for the suggestion, Ed! fawn

^ha!