6 Manipulation Techniques - Deepstash
6 Manipulation Techniques

6 Manipulation Techniques

Curated from: HugoDécrypte - Actus du jour

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WHAT IS RHETORIC ?

WHAT IS RHETORIC ?

Rhetoric is the art of speaking well using a variety of language techniques.

Sometimes these techniques are honest, they don't distort your opponent's words, but sometimes they can be deadly.

These techniques are summarized in Schopenhauer's The Art of Always Being Right (1830-1831).

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THE FALSE DILEMMA

THE FALSE DILEMMA

It's a process that reduces a complex problem to two very simplistic options, diverting attention from other options that might exist.

EXAMPLES

On networks

"Would you rather feel pitiful and take the bus every day, or start making money very quickly with me and maybe be able to buy this kind of top-of-the-range vehicle? I think the question is quickly answered. So either follow me or ask your grandmother for money to go to the restaurant."

(JP Fanguin, entrepreneur)

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SOPHISM

SOPHISM

False reasoning despite an appearance of truth. The argumentation may appear to be correct, but in reality is not correct at all.

EXAMPLE

In a debate

"Climate change is supposed to be a rise in temperature, but today it's very cold, so a priori there's no climate change."

In this example, we're comparing weather, which is something we consider in the short term, that can change from day to day, with climate, which is something we observe in the long term, over several decades. The argument is therefore invalid.

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APPEAL TO AUTHORITY

APPEAL TO AUTHORITY

Saying that something is true simply because an expert or well-known person has said so. Be absolutely wary of arguments from authority, as they can be misleading, especially if they are not backed up by evidence or other arguments.

EXAMPLE

During the containment period, many people said they were right about the pandemic or the vaccine, or wrong because a particular Nobel Prize winner agreed with them.

The problem with this technique is that people evolve and change. And just because so-and-so won a Nobel Prize 40 years ago doesn't mean that everything he says is still true 40 years later.

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THE SCARECROW

THE SCARECROW

A very common rhetorical device in the media, which consists of exaggerating an opponent's statements to make them look ridiculous.

EXAMPLE

Between 2 politicians:

P1: "I think this medicine should be banned because it carries risks, so it's safer to ban it for the time being".

P2: "But what do you mean sir ? You want to let people die by preventing them from treating themselves with this medicine, is that it? You want to let the population die?"

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MAKE YOUR OPPONENT ANGRY

MAKE YOUR OPPONENT ANGRY

As Schopenhauer wrote, "Anger is weakness", and logically if you manage to remain calm in the face of an angry opponent, you appear much more reasonable, and the audience will be more receptive to your arguments.

This technique consists in attacking the form, the way in which the words are said, rather than the actual substance of the ideas.

EXAMPLE

In politics,

"To be president of the republic you have to be calm". 

(N. Sarkozy to S. Royal, 2007)

Note

Prinicpe often used in politics, but is also very effective with your brothers and sisters, although it's not very honest.

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THE ULTIMATE STRATAGEM

THE ULTIMATE STRATAGEM

This is the stratagem a person should use as a last resort when his or her arguments are no longer sufficient to win the debate.

This stratagem consists of attacking the opponent personally, with the aim of undermining his person rather than his arguments.

This can obviously irritate the opponent and destabilize him or her, but the reason why it's risky to use this technique is that personal attacks can be rightly criticized.

EXAMPLE

"Such a nasty woman." (D. Trump to H. Clinton, Oct 2016)

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SCHOPENHAUER

We are almost obliged to be dishonest in controversy, or at least slightly tempted to be. In this way, the weakness of our intelligence and the perversity of our will support each other.

SCHOPENHAUER

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HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE 6 MANIPULATIVE TECHNIQUES ?

1/ THE FALSE DILEMMA

  • look for other options than the ones proposed.

2/ SOPHISM

  • find the flaw in the reasoning, even if it is sometimes difficult to do so

3/ APPEAL TO AUTHORITY

  • check whether the person using this technique has any additional evidence or arguments to back up what he or she has just said.

4/ THE SCARECROW

  • stop the person by telling them that they are exaggerating what you're saying.

5/ MAKING YOUR OPPONENT ANGRY

  • try to stay calm even if it's difficult.

6/ ULTIMATE STRATAGEM

  • return to the subject of the debate as quickly as possible, once again trying to remain calm.

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MARCUS AURELIUS

“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”

MARCUS AURELIUS

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CURATOR'S NOTE

6 manipulation techniques you need to know to protect yourself against them. To thwart the attempts at manipulation that we are confronted with on a daily basis (on the Internet, during a debate, within our circle of friends...) and to be aware that they exist.

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