Mass

Especially living in America, we are probably victims of general and every day persuasion.


One day, I was watching TV, unfortunately, and was watching the Super Bowl. Next thing you know you see the most intriguing and hilarious video generated by Burger King, which ultimately leads me to driving over there and buying that darn new burger. I am yet another victim of persuasion produced by the mass media. But persuasion isn't always that obvious. For example, in school, one person may convince another person to do more work simply cause the teacher seems to be critical of that one person's ideas. But that does not necessarily mean that person B should carry the burden, it just means person A should work on his or her ideas.

No matter where you look, particularly in today's society, advertisements, people on the streets, your friends and higher authorities, persuasion is unavoidable. And when we see these types of powers in the world, being the humans we are, we tend to listen to them. What can we do as people to finally be critical of these techniques? Be critical of what comes before you. If something seems to obvious and simple, or pushy and testing, ask yourself if this is really your independent idea? Did something else cause that thought to occur in your mind, or did you truly master the idea yourself?