Juxtaposition in my wallet
from Dec 2006
After I heard this story (summary below) on Marketplace back in October, I thought I'd do something to confuse everyone.
From the Marketplace website: "In all likelihood, a campaign office somewhere has an electronic file with your personal voting and spending habits as political consultants take a page from the marketing pros' handbook. Scott Tong looks at how they get all that info." Click here for the link to the story, where you can hear or read the full report. The gist is that company marketers and political marketers track all your buying trends and target you for various things, like coupons and mayoral campaigns.
So, what did I do to battle this uninvited tracking? I signed up for information and joined an organization that, according to past tracking, you would never ever think I would solicit.
Before I heard this story, my purchasing trends showed I was the classic middle class liberal: poetry book purchases on-line, coffee shop purchases daily (local and Starbucks), registered Democrat and volunteer, card-carrying member of the ACLU, blah blah blah.
How did I combat my pigeon hole? Simple.
I joined the NRA. Now, if I am accidentally killed by a gun accident, my assigned benefactor receives $10,000. This is a free benefit for all members.
I also got two bumper stickers, which will look perfect next to the one that says either "Hilary!" or "Barack!", depending on who wins the primary.
The NRA wanted me to fill out a survey about why I joined, but I looked it over and "to confuse marketing trend trackers" isn't an option, so I don't know if I'll bother.
So yeah, I pledged $10 to the NRA and now have a membership card, which is placed right next to my ACLU card for the perfect juxtaposition in my wallet.
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