[HN Gopher] Manipulation versus Communication
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       Manipulation versus Communication
        
       Author : kkoncevicius
       Score  : 16 points
       Date   : 2021-10-16 19:16 UTC (3 hours ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (charltonteaching.blogspot.com)
 (TXT) w3m dump (charltonteaching.blogspot.com)
        
       | hirundo wrote:
       | Manipulation is language intended to shape attitudes, thought-
       | processes and actions.
       | 
       | That applies to all language with few exceptions. It applies just
       | as well to "pass the salt, please" as "remember the Alamo". It
       | doesn't distinguish propaganda from the rest of speech. If I use
       | language to transmit a single neutral fact to you, say, the
       | average velocity of a coconut laden European swallow, it is still
       | manipulation in various ways. To understand the world as I do, to
       | act accordingly. I'm looking for examples of communications that
       | do not intend to "shape attitudes, thought-processes and actions"
       | and coming up empty.
       | 
       | Perhaps the only thing that distinguishes propaganda is that it
       | is communication by political actors for political purposes.
       | Since that ultimately includes all of us, it's difficult to draw
       | a line. But at least "pass the salt" is on one side of it and
       | "remember the Alamo" is on the other.
        
       | lazide wrote:
       | That article is going pretty heavy on the us vs them, absolutism,
       | assuming bad intentions, etc.
       | 
       | Not always wrong, but also checking the boxes for propaganda and
       | manipulation. Maybe ironically? I only got half way through.
        
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       (page generated 2021-10-16 23:02 UTC)