Here's the question: Is the power of persuasion good or bad for society? It's a question worth answering, because your world is under assault from an unprecedented number of propagandists for hire and marketing mavens whose only ethic is 'what the market will bear.'
Some months ago, I read an article titled "Art and Propaganda" in the online edition of The Nation, and found it to be insightful, challenging, and mildly persuasive, at least in part.
This is a excellent article, and well worth reading. Milton Glaser, a Fulbright scholar and one of America's most celebrated designers, wrote, " The mind's ability to alter itself is the source of human freedom. Information expands the capacity of the mind to change. Persuasion limits that capacity. …show more content…
And yes, that happens. When it does happen, when we are persuaded when we ought not to be, that's an opportunity to get feedback about how we think, and to learn how to think even better.
When information is presented non-persuasively, I suppose a case could be made that because it is not compelling, we don't have to think about it. The idea, I suppose, is that non-persuasive communication is easier on our busy and pitiful little minds. But that's just whack.
Our challenge in the modern world is pay attention when the professional persuaders are racing to and fro seeking leverage to use in our cultural connections. So whenever communication takes place between people, whether it's a conversation, a meeting, a radio spot or television ad, the responsibility for our choices falls squarely where it belongs, on ourselves.
Persuasion is an attempt to influence people's attitudes. I find nothing inherently wrong with the idea of people seeking to influence each other. Indeed, I think that's how it should be, because an idea presented non- persuasively has little chance at influence, no matter its worth. So persuasive skill is a necessary tool for parents, managers, service providers and a whole host of others trying to make a positive
Some months ago, I read an article titled "Art and Propaganda" in the online edition of The Nation, and found it to be insightful, challenging, and mildly persuasive, at least in part.
This is a excellent article, and well worth reading. Milton Glaser, a Fulbright scholar and one of America's most celebrated designers, wrote, " The mind's ability to alter itself is the source of human freedom. Information expands the capacity of the mind to change. Persuasion limits that capacity. …show more content…
And yes, that happens. When it does happen, when we are persuaded when we ought not to be, that's an opportunity to get feedback about how we think, and to learn how to think even better.
When information is presented non-persuasively, I suppose a case could be made that because it is not compelling, we don't have to think about it. The idea, I suppose, is that non-persuasive communication is easier on our busy and pitiful little minds. But that's just whack.
Our challenge in the modern world is pay attention when the professional persuaders are racing to and fro seeking leverage to use in our cultural connections. So whenever communication takes place between people, whether it's a conversation, a meeting, a radio spot or television ad, the responsibility for our choices falls squarely where it belongs, on ourselves.
Persuasion is an attempt to influence people's attitudes. I find nothing inherently wrong with the idea of people seeking to influence each other. Indeed, I think that's how it should be, because an idea presented non- persuasively has little chance at influence, no matter its worth. So persuasive skill is a necessary tool for parents, managers, service providers and a whole host of others trying to make a positive