I recently came across this article on environmental persuasion on CNN.com, and was inspired by the realism it represented. The article talks about the efficacy of subtle messages – or “nudges” – to encourage eco-friendly behavior. While some people may argue that they don’t want their thinking influenced by subtle messages from others, the fact that the messaging seems to have worked remains nonetheless (not to mention that people’s thinking every day is influenced by other subtle messages – think about TV commercials!) So if these “nudges’ an be used to influence our purchasing habits, can they not also be employed to help us make more responsible choices?