“The art of manipulation is only successful when the manipulator remains undetected” Paula Hawkins
Natural Social Behaviours
As a rule, we all desire to be liked when meeting new people. Mirroring or mimicking body language, when you meet someone, is something you will often naturally and unconsciously do to gain some common ground. You recognise it works, and people are much more positively encouraged towards the people they perceive to be similar to themselves.
When you show a genuine interest in a person, you tend to lean inward and make eye contact, it signals your interest, active engagement and listening.
For instance, you might ask about a person’s hobbies and work to find ground to open up a lively discussion. It's harmless, and it demonstrates a healthy, natural inquisitiveness in people.
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation- Herman Melville
The Pervasiveness of Manipulation
Manipulation and mind control exist everywhere, each time you switch on your television, or radio, go to church, school, doctor or walk past a billboard, your mind is being manipulated to think or behave in a certain way.
“Is there any point in public debate in a society where hardly anyone has been taught how to think, while millions have been taught what to think?”
― Peter Hitchens
Manipulation can and most certainly is used for the good, yet the key is to learn the awareness and always decide for yourself whether you are being manipulated to think or behave in some way or not.
The Danger of Approval Seeking
“If you are an approval addict, your behaviour is as easy to control as that of any other junkie. All a manipulator need do is a simple two-step process: Give you what you crave, and then threaten to take it away. Every drug dealer in the world plays this game.”― Harriet B. Braiker
Tips To Help You Recognise Manipulation
- Develop More Awareness: Start paying closer attention to the words used in adverts, news broadcasts, films, and the people you encounter. This heightened awareness can help you detect the more subtle forms of mind control and manipulation.
- Question Motivations: When you notice someone mirroring your behaviour or showing interest, ask yourself and question their possible motivations.
- Recognise Widespread Influence: Be aware that manipulation exists in many forms throughout society - from media to institutions. Acknowledging this will help you always critically evaluate the information you are receiving.
- Trust Your Intuition: Have faith in your intelligence and gut intuition. If something feels off, never ignore that feeling - it might just be your subconscious picking up on subtle manipulation attempts.
Conclusion: Maintain A Balanced View
Remember, manipulation isn't always bad. It's used to help people or sell useful products. Think about the adverts that introduce you to the things you end up loving and add more value to your life.
The important thing is to stay aware. Know when someone's trying to influence you or control your behaviours, whether through the TV, adverts, or people. This way, you can make smarter, more informed decisions for yourself.
Your mind is your own. Stay curious, ask questions and think for yourself. You must decide what's best because you are ultimately left responsible for all decisions you make.
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