How can we have this conversation regarding manipulation unless we clear
some context and some metanarrative and some historical sociology. The
context of a manipulation is most significant. If its by agreement, in a
system of equals, in a marketplace (where freedom and choice reign) or a
variety of other circumstances, then it is basically for the good and a
matter of competence and skill. (Very fitting for my pre-psychology
definitions.)
But ..... the historical context of our social organisations (not to limit
it to companies) is one of coercion, force, and domination. With this
background, skill in influence will be seen as detrimental. But still it
is the history and the context which are the "villains" rather than the
competence itself. The question is one of competence in communication and
human relationships vs competence in using the authority structures. (But
still "skill at using the authority structure" - given that they exist -
is not all bad.)
The metanarratives are still running the show and confuse the
conversation. That is, the function of metanarratives is to obscure what
is going on - authority - so that is can continue in peace. The
demonstration that the metanarratives are working is that the conversation
is not resolving the issues nor reducing the power of the existing
structures of authority. We remain engaged in conversations that do not
connect with each other and thus leaving ourselves with no increase in
power in the matter of our concerns. One way through is to cease to focus
on the word and the historical connotations and to concentrate on what we
care about, what matters to us and the resolutions of that - which
probably do not require another mention of the word "manipulation".
Why is this so? Because "manipulation" is not the real concern. The
concern is the structures, interactions, patterns, etc which give the
emotive power to the word. We care about not having anything to say,
about being fooled or tricked, about having power used against us - and we
don't really care what its called when that happens.
--
Mike McMaster <Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk>
"Intelligence is an underlying organisational principle
of the universe. The 'logos principle' is hidden and
perceptible only to the intelligence." Heraclitus