Interesting to me, one of my most language-conscious friends feels that
when we say "manipulation" we mean that the person pulling the strings is
doing so *unintentionally*. This meaning is not mentioned in any of my
dictionaries -- Do others recognize this in the word?
REPLY:
I don't personally see that "manipulation" implies that the doer is
pulling the strings unintentionally. Usually they are conscience that
they are trying to effect a change in perspective or behavior, and just
feel they are just using all the resources and methods at their disposal
to cause the change.
They ARE often *not conscience* that they have "crossed the line" in the
perception of the "target", however. This is particularly true when the
change efforts includes efforts to influence others in power positions
over the "target" without the target's informed consent.
**** Is manipulation, like quality, in the eye of the beholder??? ****
Harry Heflin
INTERSYS, 685 Depot Road, Boxboro MA 01719, U.S.A.
Voice/Fax: (508) 266-1800.
bcdm04a@prodigy.com