Hey Baby, Is That a Prius You're Driving?

3/28/2012

This is the podcast I would like you to listen to instead of having class this Friday. You have many options - you can listen to it from the website, download it and listen to it on the go, or read the audio transcript. This will also be used for the C.E. quiz so feel free to make comments on the blog as well.

Here are some questions to guide your listening - What does signaling mean? How is this podcast related to the concept of utility - consider the "willingness to pay" discussion? Were consumers of solar panels always making the best decision?

Questions for discussion: Do we "signal" with our everyday clothes and lifestyle choices? Are there any other goods you can think of that are designed to be different and gain market share?

Not required: Here is a link to the journal article by the Sextons if you would like to read it.

R#10432564

4/10/2012 05:08:35 am

I feel this podcast hit the mark with their point. Whether we like to hear it or not, we buy stuff not only for us and our personal use, but also for the reaction of others. The brand of clothes we buy, the car we drive, where we buy our coffee, all of these are examples of things that our bought to prove something to others. That point may be that one is rich, or eco friendly. Ultimately, most of us really care what society thinks of what we have or dont have, therefore, we buy things accordingly.

R10386241

4/11/2012 07:12:48 am

Haha this podcast is so undeniably true. You can't help but think some people who drive Priuses really don't care about the environment at all. As long as we see them driving around in their "green" car (especially the coveted Prius), that's all the satisfaction they need.

R10425881

4/11/2012 05:14:25 pm

Sadly this is so true, the unique design of the Prius makes it standout and really makes one look Environment conscious, even though there might be another car with equal or better fuel economy, this also makes it easier for Toyota to charge higher

R10441854

4/12/2012 04:39:19 am

I completely agree with theories represented in this podcast, in society today everyone is trying to fit in, everyone is trying to keep up with their social status and what screams eco friendly more than solar panels and hybrid cars. maybe throw some Toms and some dreads in there.

R10359949

4/12/2012 09:32:28 am

Toms and dreads! That's too funny, but seriously your arguement is true. Everyone today is focused on being "green" and although the movement probably started out with the best of intentions, it's now a competition to see who can be the greenest.

R10419821

4/12/2012 12:42:35 pm

Yeah i agree with what you said too, people just wanna be seen as "green". Some of the people buying prius's probably don't even know how they are helping the environment, all they know is that they are driving a car that makes it seem like they care about the environment, or at least care about it more than another person.

R10382294

4/12/2012 07:33:11 am

I couldn't agree more with this podcast. I couldn't see any reason why a person would consider buying a Prius when other and better types of hybrid vehicles are available.

r10497053

4/12/2012 08:29:23 am

Its really sad how true this podcast is. I really do think that you send a message with how you look and what you have.

R10403116

4/12/2012 08:59:46 am

I do believe that we signal with are everyday lifestyle choices. For example, if you see someone wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat they are giving off a signal that they are fans of country stuff and are most likely very conservative in their political beliefs. One example of a product that is different would be Chaco brand shoes. People wearing them are usually giving off a signal that they enjoy the outdoors.

R10175535

4/12/2012 10:54:05 am

What this research failed to tell is if the behavior of those just buying eco friendly devices is actually benefical to the earth. Even if people are just buying prius' for the status its hard for me to believe that it is not makeing at least a small positive impact on the earth, and although they put the sun panals on the wrong side of the house when they are in use they must cut down on some emmissions. I wish the twins would've researched the outsomes.

10326603

4/12/2012 11:33:59 am

Everyday people "signal" by the way they present themselves to the public. The way we dress says something about who we are and it's usually by choice. We may claim we buy something because we like it, but in truth a little part of the reason is to impress others and make sure they perceive you in a way you want to suggest. The styles and brands we show off are ways people "signal" with our clothing.

R10462776

4/12/2012 12:23:31 pm

Honestly, I think the signal of the Prius is for hipsters. When you drive one you think your really being green. TopGear UK hates the care by the way.

Wesley

4/12/2012 01:28:40 pm

People have been identifying themselves by what they buy for a long time. It has become apart of being American. A sense of representation by what you buy. Its as if it has replaced the common introduction and has become the new first impression. Being introduced by what you have (or dont have) has become apart of the American dream. Regardless if it helps the environment or not as long as it looks good and sends a message that the person wants to convey, it'll sell.

Gabriel Davila

4/12/2012 03:38:30 pm

Well I'm not gonna lie. I've bought things just for a reaction, but here is the thing I was just a kid and didn't know better. Now that I'm older I can see people do this for the reaction that they give. To me a long lasting matto that I have lived by is that no one should be rewarded for what is expected of them. So yeah, it is important to save the planet and to do things just for the sake of them cause it's the right thing to do, not cause its what seems cool at the time.

Caroline Andrews

4/12/2012 03:50:41 pm

I agree with Gabriel here. I have bought things to stay "in" with society but now I see it honestly doesn't matter. With the example of the Prius, to me if you are able to get from place A to place B you're good.

R10461966

4/12/2012 04:35:30 pm

In my opinion, I believe that most of the comments on this podcast are basically headed in the same direction of people just wanting to fit in the whole "look at me, I'm GREEN!" group. I just think that most of them are doing it for self interest only. Most of the families that want to show that their going green already have a pretty penny. Who cares if their solar panels are on the wrong side of the house if their family is putting up six figure salaries, they don't struggle with their energy bill. Basically going green is who can spend the most money to spend less money. That's a bit confusing, but read the last sentence a couple of times, it will sink in. These people are not worried about how much money that they can save over what image that they can carry through their neighborhoods. To be honest, they're are not hurting anyone so it does not bother me that their windmill turbine is rotating via generator and not the actual wind. Go ahead and create a label for yourself, that's basically what it comes down to.

Wesley Quigley

4/12/2012 05:23:12 pm

I believe it is true that most people who buy Priuses mostly care about how others percieve them rather than actually saving the environment. Really, I think that the majority of everything we buy is supposed to envoke a particular image to others in one way or another. The products we buy are an extension of ourselves. The tricky thing for firms and advertisers is to figure out what image most people are looking for. It's almost like they are fashion designers.

10372587

4/13/2012 12:48:28 am

YES! Many people I believe not only buy things for themselves but also to keep up with their neighbors. Interesting, I never really thought of it that way

R10457271

4/13/2012 12:59:31 am

I believe that people just want to be known as im green more than saving the environment and you are the one that chooses how you look and what you signal.

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Hey Baby, Is That a Prius You're Driving?

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