tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839412.post8313119268986887884..comments2024-03-19T07:48:54.021-06:00Comments on Gus Van Horn: Only Fools ManipulateGus Van Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126749051688217781noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839412.post-35014524217387122022015-02-19T16:27:53.922-06:002015-02-19T16:27:53.922-06:00Scott,
Thanks for stopping by.
I agree with you...Scott,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. <br /><br />I agree with your mention of ignorance as a possibly exculpating factor in manipulation. I was thinking along the same lines, with fraud being my particular example. (Of course, some people choose to ignore "too good to be true" as a red flag calling for more investigation, or at least checking with more than one source.)<br /><br />There is no question that men can gain mutual benefit from exchanging knowledge and from free-ranging debate. I think of it as division of intellectual labor.<br /><br />I have heard of the book, and may own it. It's one I'll eventually get around to reading. I have seen references to it a few times on your blog, so I am sure it will be thought-provoking at a minimum. Thanks for mentioning it again.<br /><br />GusGus Van Hornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126749051688217781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839412.post-6196500514151920742015-02-19T14:22:36.622-06:002015-02-19T14:22:36.622-06:00It's a fair criticism. I should have said it&#...It's a fair criticism. I should have said it's often a social process, or most likely to lead to progress if it's social. <br /><br />> "when manipulation "works", both parties <br />> often share the blame"<br /><br />True, but I see the argument that the manipulator knows they're doing something unethical, where as the manipulated might be ignorant. Both are responsible but one is the initiator. <br /><br />The book True Believers by Hoffer is an excellent, albeit disturbing, examination of mass movements and the belief systems they depend on. I don't agree with everything Hoffer concludes, I'm not sure it's possible for any reader to do that, but it's impossible to read that book and not want to have a conversation about it.<br /><br />-Scott @berkunAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com