What is Empty Emptor?
Empty Emptor is a blog through which aim to analyse consumption, consumerism and consumer behaviour (in a very modest and inexpert way) through the lens of lifestyle, clothing, and my own wardrobe in particular, since that’s a form of consumerism I’m pretty familiar with. So yeah, it’ll likely be a whole lot of over-thinking and navel-gazing. I hope to use this blog to explore whether I can improve my general knowledge of consumer behaviour (because behavioural economics and science are fun… to me… as a science-loving nerd) and whether I can consume more responsibly (whatever that ends up meaning).
I am a post-doctoral cognitive neuroscientist currently living and working in the UK. I hope to use my knowledge of and access to human behavioural research to discuss how it pertains to consumption, and perhaps even in a way that doesn’t bore people to tears!
“Emptor” is Latin for “buyer”, and is arguably most commonly encountered these days in the phrase caveat emptor – “let the buyer beware”.
Contact me at jess [at] the URL of this blog.
Please don’t stop writing. I cannot be elegant in expressing how lovely it is to read your thoughtful thoughts paired with your cognitive neurosciencey science, so just take that inelegant comment and know that I meant it with respect and appreciation.
Dearest Jess,
Your blog post are so informative and incredibly interesting! Would you mind doing a guest post for my blog and can I have an interview with you (à la Out of the Bag style) with you sometime down the road? Feel free to email me
Cheers,
Joy
I just found your blog, and it is pure gold. Just wanted to express my admiration!
Hello Jess,
I just wanted to thank you for this blog, a really nice change from the usual buying incentive and dream selling stuff out there. Besides, the kind of sociologic point of view of the human behaviour analysis is very interesting and brings another light to my vision influenced by the marketing universe I work in (no, I don’t curl my mustache when I discuss the marketing plans of the products, sorry…)
Anyway, thank you very much for this new perspective!
Thank you so much for your comment, Kali, because oh god, I’m so relieved that my blog doesn’t come across as horribly ignorant and amateur to someone within the realm of marketing! I often wonder if I’m in any sort of position to comment on so many of the topics I write about, given that my knowledge in those areas is often gleaned from just reading some research papers and a bit of background info. Unfortunately I can’t solely write about areas I have a bit of pre-existing knowledge in (i.e. the behavioural psychology/neuroscience stuff) otherwise I’d run out of content much more quickly, so it’s a relief to know that I’m at least not making a total fool of myself when I discuss other topics.
But I hope that, if you aren’t twirling your moustache when you’re discussing marketing plans, you’re at least wearing a top hat.
I have no words to express, well just a few- your blog is such a joy to read, informative and just so well written. Keep up the great work.
Oh yes. I haven’t read much of your blog yet but the promise of the premise is all I need. Brilliant.
It occurred to me and so I did a search – but have you referenced the Situationists? Apologies if yes but if no, do go and have a look as they are very cool (haha) and very relevant to your cause.
I made it to the beginning!
I must say, this is the most refreshing blog I’ve seen in a long time. As per your comment above, although your information is mostly gleaned, you provide a lot more to think about that the traditional ‘this is what i bought’ sort of blogger. Further still, you provide a lot more to think about than the newer minimalism/conscious consumption sort of blogger. I truly adore what you do here and it is a pleasure to read.
Thank you very much! Honestly, there are so many thought-provoking topics I come across when reading through the research journals, so I’m glad there are people out there who are as interested to read about it as I am and can join the discussion. Hopefully I’ll have new posts up a bit more frequently in maybe a few weeks’ time.
Just found your blog based on my colleague, Ryan Howell’s, recommendation. Great stuff and I’ll be sure to keep reading.
Jess, late is never too late and I am beside myself at having just discovered your incomparable blog. I hope the compliments haven’t enlarged your head to much
I’m off to reach the archives…