Category Archives: Philosophy

It’s a conspiracy… or did I?

Posted on 03/07/2020 by Dr Paul Harrison

One in eight Australians believe Microsoft founder Bill Gates is somehow responsible for the coronavirus and the 5G wireless network is to blame for spreading the disease.  And the same number of people believe the pandemic is being used to … Continue reading →

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The push and pull of an all-consuming life

Posted on 27/01/2017 by Dr Paul Harrison

Do you ever get the sense that we live in a culture of gratification that says we should submit to our every whim, while at the same time demands we disavow our desires? On one hand, Nigella tells us that … Continue reading →

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Desire, luxury and consuming our identity

Posted on 10/05/2016 by Dr Paul Harrison

Recent news that consumers in Adelaide are willing to pay $400 for a taste of Wagyu steak sounds ridiculous, but in reality, wanting something that others in your particular group can’t have is part of being human. Do you own … Continue reading →

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The rise of American authoritarianism

Posted on 03/03/2016 by Dr Paul Harrison

Such an interesting thesis by Amanda Taub on Vox, and so much more cogent than the explanation for the current political climate as simply “anger”. This could be just as relevant for Australia (the rise of the ultra-conservative wing of … Continue reading →

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Resistance is (mostly) futile: How buying nothing is harder than it looks (especially at Christmas time)

Posted on 14/12/2015 by Dr Paul Harrison

While there are thousands of people all over the world taking part in the “Buy Nothing” movement, along with a whole range of other groups of people doing what they can to reduce consumption, resistance to commerce is nothing new. The … Continue reading →

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Our Hate-Love Relationship with Alcohol

Posted on 19/05/2015 by Dr Paul Harrison

In the 2015 Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Annual Alcohol Poll, 34 per cent of Australians said that they drink to get drunk, 43 per cent said they had vomited as a result of drinking, and 75 per cent … Continue reading →

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Belle Gibson, the inspiration industry, and the willing suspension of disbelief

Posted on 24/04/2015 by Dr Paul Harrison

Belle fulfilled her main role as a member of the inspiration industry. She played her part in the inspirational theatre that supports the health and wellness sector. She did what the best products do.

She gave us hope. Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer Behavior, Essay, Ethics, Philosophy, Social Psychology, Tribal | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Co-creation and the new world of marketing

Posted on 12/02/2014 by Dr Paul Harrison

Written with Michaela Jackson Are you one of the thousands of people around the world in the past couple of days who created your “A look back” Facebook movie? Did it make you cry? Or maybe laugh at your wacky … Continue reading →

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The new world of communication, and its implications for children’s health

Posted on 28/12/2012 by Dr Paul Harrison

During the past forty years global rates of overweight and obesity have risen dramatically. In 2010 more than 155 million children worldwide were overweight (more than one in ten) and of these approximately 30-45 million were obese, or between two … Continue reading →

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Why schools and corporate brands shouldn’t mix

Posted on 29/03/2012 by Dr Paul Harrison

The furore following the announcement that Jenny Craig CEO Amy Smith would address a gathering of hundreds of girls’ school teachers has once again brought the uncomfortable issue of corporate presence in schools to light. The public response – that … Continue reading →

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