Different Realities — Which Do You Live In?

11:05 pm

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Years ago, when I first started reading and writing about persuasion, I found myself moving further to the political right. Or, perhaps, further from the current political left.

Learning about the tools and techniques of persuasion, I could see the manipulation of the population and how easily our energy is directed.

Persuasion, at its core, is getting someone to see the benefits of an action or a believe, and to change their behavior ‘for the better’ because of it.

Manipulation, on the other hand, benefits the manipulator but not the manipulated. Rioting, anyone?

When you’re the first to mention an idea, you “win” that mind space. This is the purpose of a Blue Ocean strategy, that you define a new market and you’re the only one serving it.

But when someone already has an idea and you’re hoping to persuade them to see the benefit of its opposite? Much harder.

Continue reading “Different Realities — Which Do You Live In?”

Why I didn’t vote for my city’s most pressing issue: Trash Collection

11:15pm Sunday

Saint Paul, Minnesota

 

Hey there,

This weekend I took my two kids to the library. I was previously unaware, but there was early voting available for Tuesday’s November election.

Photo "CL Society 218: Crossing arms" by Francisco Osorio, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Voting, like most decisions, is more about emotions than about facts on an unknown future. Photo “CL Society 218: Crossing arms” by
Francisco Osorio, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

“Are you here to vote today?” asked the voting attendant. Continue reading “Why I didn’t vote for my city’s most pressing issue: Trash Collection”

Persuasion Articles of the Week

Photo "Cars on I-90 floating bridge" by Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
We can’t have rough waters without knowing smooth waters: contrast is in our human nature to find and embrace. Photo “Cars on I-90 floating bridge” by Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

#contrast #appreciation #motivation #compensation #fakenews #politics

Continue reading “Persuasion Articles of the Week”

Persuasion Articles of the Week

Politicians ask for small donations not because it makes a large difference, but because you'll remain consistant. Image "Bernie Sanders - Caricature" by DonkeyHotey, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Politicians ask for small donations not because it makes a large difference, but because you’ll remain consistent. Image “Bernie Sanders – Caricature” by DonkeyHotey, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

#politics #crime #confession #control #prefrontalcortex #gambling #restaurant #menu #price #design

Continue reading “Persuasion Articles of the Week”

Persuasive Elements in Bernie’s Fundraising

I received a fundraising email last week from Bernie Sanders campaign. (Screenshot below.)

The email itself asked Bernie supporters to follow a link a form, where you could mark which campaign issues mattered to you, the voter.

Everyone likes to be consulted and have their opinion heard—especially if you’ve self-selected as a supporter to get on this list. I would bet the survey link was pretty busy! Continue reading “Persuasive Elements in Bernie’s Fundraising”