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The federal government is hiring what it calls a "Behavioral Insights Team" that will look for ways to subtly influence people's behavior, according to a document describing the program obtained by FoxNews.com. Critics warn there could be unintended consequences to such policies, while supporters say the team could make government and society more efficient.
Big Brother isn't only watching you via creepy domestic drones — he's also trying to influence your behavior. The Behavioral Insights Team, or, affectionately, the "nudge squad" is a White House experiment in finding subtle ways to get citizens to change their behavior. It will tackle problems such as getting people to conserve energy or save for retirement. Proponents of the initiative, based partly on the 2008 book "Nudge" by Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler, praise it for using gentle encouragement rather than regulations and restrictions to control behavior. Critics, however, say the government shouldn’t assume it knows what's best for its people.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
I'm not surprised. 'Hope and change' .... 'transparency' ..... baaaah!
Obama and his administration are the embodiment of 1984.
Originally posted by Deetermined
reply to post by ProfessorChaos
I think they should use all federal government employees as guinea pigs.
When or if we ever see any kind of behavioral change or effectiveness there, then they can pass it down to the people, otherwise, they're just wasting more of our time and money.
Originally posted by beezzer
reply to post by ProfessorChaos
I really think it should be past tense. They've created these teams and have been in use for years! Every administration probably has them, it's just a different approach tailored to each bitter pill they try to make us swallow.
In my humble. . .
My feeling is that they shouldn't be doing this to anyone. It needs to stop.
Originally posted by Deetermined
reply to post by ProfessorChaos
My feeling is that they shouldn't be doing this to anyone. It needs to stop.
The whole thing is pretty silly and harmless really.
If you read the article, it's nothing more than a marketing ploy to sell ideas/products as well as to send out reminders on how to save energy, money, etc. They aren't forcing anyone into doing anything.
It will become a different story if they ever force people to invest their money into specific accounts, products, insulate their attic, turn off their electricity for them for so many hours a day, but I don't really see that happening.
Originally posted by Deetermined
reply to post by ProfessorChaos
What kind of behaviors do you anticipate them engineering with this that appears detrimental to you?
Originally posted by ThinkingCap
Heh, you guys think Obama administration is bad? They're merely laying the foundation.
You'll really be feeling the sting in a few more years, I absolutely guarantee it.
Complacency
Fear
Having the insatiable need to maintain the Status Quo, regardless of what may happen.
Utter obedience to perceived authorities.
Abandonment of one's freedom of speech (political correctness, anyone?)
Originally posted by Deetermined
reply to post by ProfessorChaos
Complacency
Fear
Having the insatiable need to maintain the Status Quo, regardless of what may happen.
Utter obedience to perceived authorities.
Abandonment of one's freedom of speech (political correctness, anyone?)
The only thing is, they are already doing this with every televised speech they give and every article that is written.
How will this be different?