Difference Between Persuasion and Manipulation
- Tarasekhar Padhy
- Dec 22, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2024
I rewrote two great definitions of persuasion and manipulation.
Below are both of them accompanied by examples for easier comprehension.
Manipulation Is Lying
Manipulation is lying about a product or a service to get it off the shelf and turn in a profit.
As you may imagine, it is a short-lived path for businesses because a cheated customer never returns and eventually alternatives will come up.
A common example of this phenomenon was Byju’s learning app. The company marketed its product, which is educational courses for school kids, as the key to their academic aspirations.
However, it was garbage. Moreover, their predatory sales tactics such as gaslighting made them public enemy number one.
Eventually, Byju’s shut down and everybody laughed.
Persuasion Is Convincing Something Is Better
Persuasion is convincing someone that something is better than the alternative for their needs.
Keep in mind that the person should want the ‘thing’ in the first place.
For example, you cannot sell Beats headphones to someone who doesn’t want headphones.
While making a persuasive pitch, you have to provide reasoning behind or create an emotional experience to make the sale.
Manipulation Is Based on a Lie with Truth at the Periphery
Manipulation is based on the foundation of lies that promise a delusion that is presented as reality by carefully planting unrelated, objective truths.
The best example of this type of manipulation is Abrahamic Religions (ARs) and political ideologies (PIs).
Both promise a utopia, a paradise.
In the case of ARs, it is a spiritual utopia, also known as heaven. Anyone who strictly adheres to the doctrine will achieve that upon their death.
In the case of PIs, it is an egalitarian utopia. This utopia will be achieved when everyone strictly adopts the doctrine.
The truth is that paradise doesn’t exist.
Everything tangible and intangible undergoes the cycle of creation and destruction. In fact, you can’t have creation without destruction. This is applicable to us, everything we do, and the rest of the universe.
Civilizations aren’t immune to this reality. ARs and PIs promise that their ideologies will ‘cure’ humanity, leading to a utopia on earth that will deliver immeasurable and inexplicable pleasure to everyone in a sustainable way.
Furthermore, both ARs and PIs have destroyed many civilizations and cultures to impose themselves while searching for that truth. Their arrogance prevents them from learning.
The cycle continues.
Persuasion Is Based on Truth With Subjectivity in Application
Persuasion is based on truth while the perception of the said truth depends on the audience and their needs.
Consider MacBooks. Thanks to Apple Silicon, they are the best machines money can buy. At the same time, it is not for everyone.
The core statement — Apple Silicon MacBooks are great — is true. The only thing that changes or becomes subjective is when recommending it to someone.
Conclusion: Manipulate If You Have Hard Power
People aren’t stupid. Some day some one will figure out your scheme and will be on your ass.
At that time, if you have a legion, you can whitewash your lies with an iron fist.
Else, you will be cooked by the people.
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Previous Chapter: Honing Your Persuasive Skills (4 C’s)
Index (with Prologue): The Fundamentals of Persuasive Writing
