The human faculty for deception, that complex tapestry of lies, cunning, and manipulation, has been an intimate companion to our species since time immemorial. The fascinating interplay between truth and falsehood has shaped not only our individual interactions but also the broader course of history. In this essay, we shall embark on a journey through […]
In his book “Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes”, Jacques Ellul posits that propaganda is one of the most powerful tools available to those who want to control the masses. He defines propaganda as “the effort to affect, manipulate, or control the thoughts, emotions, and behavior of a group in order to benefit the sponsor […]
Here’s a shorter version of the story that Robert Cialdini tells us about in his book, Influence. A business owner who owns a consignment of slow moving turquoise jewelry, leaves a hand-written note for one of her sales staff to mark down the stock at “x ½” price before leaving for an out-of-town trip. On […]
A prominent gullibility tale, and one of the few in the Old Testament thatpays much attention to the victim, is the story of Samson and Delilah (Judges,16). Samson was a vicious Israeilite warrior who has killed many Philistines. When Samson falls in love with Delilah, ““the Lords of the Philistines came to her and said […]
The Bible writes about the theme of deception in several stories. Here are 7 of them. 1. Lot escapes from doomed Sodom with his wife and two daughters, buthis wife looks back and is turned into a pillar of salt. The two (unnamed)daughters, desiring to keep their father’s lineage alive, get Lot drunk andseduce him. […]
One of the most famous examples of gullibility in fiction is Mark Twain’s fence-paining scene in the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In that scene, Tom’s guardian, Aunt Polly, orders him to whitewash a stretch of wooden fence (30 feet long, 9 feet high). Tom sees Jim the slave and offers to switch chores […]
Two men on a plane were talking. One man looks at the other, after being told about the problems of capitalism.. “Your criticism of capitalism is that it is 1) deceitful 2) hides truth. 1) Deceptive? Yeah, so is everything, including you. Self deception is necessary for survival, even for basic functioning. Herbert Fingarette did […]
In The 48 Laws of Power, Greene tells us to be careful about the impression we give others of ourselves. Most people, because they are vain, insecure, and needy, will want to prove to others that they are very clever. But this is a mistake. When people think you are smart, they will have their […]
A man is often secretly oppressed by the role he has to play—by always having to be responsible, in control, and rational. The Siren is the ultimate male fantasy figure because she offers a total release from the limitations of his life. In her presence, which is always heightened and sexually charged, the male feels […]
Make use of Absence to make yourself more esteemed or valued. If the accustomed presence diminishes fame, absence augments it. One that is regarded as a lion in his absence may be laughed at when present as the ridiculous result of the parturition of the mountains. Talents get soiled by use, for it is easier […]
The School of Poker 