Why do some insults hurt more than others? Answer: Some hurt more than others because for 4 reasons. First, they remind people how short of our ego ideal we fall. Second, they cause a status dive. Third, they confirm a deep belief. Fourth, they hijack the brain’s desire to process and analyze, making the insult … Read more
Would you believe that there is a whole section of science devoted to studying how to ruin a person’s reputation? Well today we are going to discuss the science of character assassination, what it is, and how it works. Stick around until the end to learn how a Character Assassination story was powerful enough to … Read more
Main article. Links: –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_assassination (overview) –http://batstar.net/piper/char.htm (a useful journal overview of the whole topic) –https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9781315150178-4 (the handbook on CA, historical examples are useful) –https://carpresearchlab.org/ (an organization dedicated to CA) –https://communication.gmu.edu/research-and-centers/carp/ca-history (historical examples) https://d101vc9winf8ln.cloudfront.net/documents/31470/original/ALL-ABSTRACTS.pdf?1559585760 (more examples) –https://amzn.to/3Eh04ng (character assassination book) Research Notes: -It is all about reputation, see laws of power, guard it with your life … Read more
Main article. Links: –https://amzn.to/3zaXcom (spin selling, studies are listed here) –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-persuasion -How To Have Impossible Conversations (book that uses questions for persuasion) We will probably do a whole video on this book or at least some of the main points/thoughts. Research Notes: -See also Street Epistemology’s use of questions in persuasion. The book “How To … Read more
We’ve all had that person who either takes a disliking to us, wants our current position, or simply desires to cause pain. They begin the process of Character Assassination, using insults, gossip, and more. How do we respond to the onslaught of negative information on our character, image, and reputation? What are the scientific steps … Read more
Main article. Links: –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the_Dog (Propaganda distraction movie.) –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca_defense (Trial lawyer technique, infrequent use. See also dead cat strategy) –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_manipulation#Distraction_by_major_events Distraction in propaganda. –https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Weapons-of-Mass-Distraction-Foreign-State-Sponsored-Disinformation-in-the-Digital-Age.pdf (See page 6. What makes people vulnerable to distraction propaganda? Information quantity and need to belong) –https://harris.uchicago.edu/news-events/news/politics-distraction (Israeli attacks on Superbowl and other major planned events) Research Notes: -Red herrings are used … Read more
Main Article. Links: –http://batstar.net/piper/char.htm (person suffers from a cognitive blind spot) –https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/spc3.12602 (overview of studies) –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inoculation_theory (overview) –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_restoration_theory (overview) –https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199756841/obo-9780199756841-0103.xml (books on image repair theory for advanced research) –https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320021557_Image_prepare_Image_repair_inoculation_theory_and_anticipated_attacks_on_credibility (useful masters thesis on the topic) –https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4746429/ (parallels between medical and psychological inoculation) –https://amzn.to/3Eh04ng (character assassination book) Research Notes: -Reputation is key, figure out what values … Read more
Why Should You Conceal Your Intentions? If you work in a competitive environment and regularly blurt out your opinion or reveal your plans, you are making a huge mistake. Sharing schemes could allow people to come up with counter plans. How Do You Conceal Your Intentions? Voluntarily share irrelevant goals and desires. This will distract … Read more
Robert Greene: What Does The 48 Laws Of Power Teach You? You can learn many things from the 48 Laws Of Power. Overall, the Laws teach you how you can avoid losing power, how you can gain power, and how to spot people who are playing the power game. It is a useful book to … Read more
Original Article. Links: -Study Basic study on agentic shift in different situations. Only useful for deeper study. –Wikipedia. Great overview. Notes: -See also presuasion type techniques (linguistic phrases like because and other primer type effects) -Balance between building rapport through vulnerability and being too vulnerable that the person doesn’t see you as an authority anymore … Read more