Manipulation – The Enemy of Small Minds

Posted by | Filed under Advertising, Beliefs, Influence, Marketing, Psychology, Spin | May 18, 2010 | Tags: , | 2 Comments

When I launched this blog it was an extension of my unrealistic interest in  wiping the power of manipulative people off of the face of the Earth.  (Hey, everyone needs a super power, right?)

There’s no place for people who knowingly lie, manipulate and take advantage of others. (Except maybe careers as attorneys, politicians or owners of certain multinational corporations.)

Though our DNA is against us when it comes to being easily fooled by manipulators, it doesn’t hurt to try to learn how to have better radar against the tactics of predators.

The pain and cost of being a part of the flock of sheep is high. It is a price the majority of the population pays, but we don’t have to. A little common sense goes a long way.

Seth Godin just wrote a post on manipulation that encapsulates some of the best ways to identify and beat the manipulators. Here’s a sample:

Here are a few general categories of behaviors that manipulators seek out:

* Believing something because you heard someone say it on a news show on cable TV.
* Being a child (or acting like one).
* Buying penny stocks.
* Repeating a mantra heard from a figurehead or leader of a tribe without considering whether it’s true.
* Trying to find a short cut to lose weight, make money or achieve some other long-term goal.
* Ignoring the scientific method and embracing unexamined traditional methods instead.

Read the full article here …it’s short and worth it!

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  • http://www.pindropsoup.com DaveM

    I am always amazed at how, particularly in politics, the name of an organization or bill is so completely utterly opposite of what it really represents. It seems so silly – that isn't going to fool anyone, but it does.

    Or how labeling can distract the conversation… labeling Iraq War protesters unpatriotic.

    That reminds me of our leaders changing the name "French Fries" to "Freedom Fries".

  • brettgreene

    Dave, I'm right there with you. That particular phenomenon started with Frank Luntz's consulting of the Republican party 15 or so years ago. You can read about it in his own words in his book – Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear.

    Luntz is the author of "climate change" instead of "global warming" as well as many other Orwellian doublespeak phrases you've heard politicians on both sides of the aisle, pundits, and TV / radio talking heads repeat like mantras. The worst ones use "environment" instead of "pollute". …oil companies are some of his best customers.