ma⋅nip⋅u⋅late [muh-nip-yuh-leyt]
–verb
"to manage or influence skillfully"
from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/manipulate> on Thu 23 Apr 09 at 07:55
mo⋅ti⋅vate [moh-tuh-veyt]
–verb
"to provide with an incentive"
from <http://dictionary.reference.com/dic?q=motivate&search=search> on Thu 23 Apr at 07:55
Everybody manipulates everybody else.
Parents manipulate their children. Managers manipulate their staff. Teachers manipulate their classes. Sports captains manipulate their teams.
Artists manipulate colours & textures. Musicians manipulate sound waves. Designers manipulate space. Gardeners manipulate the landscape.
Manipulation is often used to refer to influencing "to suit one's purpose or advantage" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/manipulate), whereas motivation has more positive ring to it...
Parents motivate their children. Managers motivate their staff. Teachers motivate their classes. Sports captains motivate their teams.
But it seems to me that perhaps it's actually the motivation to manipulate that should come under the closest scrutiny. Are we manipulating a situation as a result of pure compassion? Are we motivating someone for our own benefit?
So it occurred to me to wonder, "Who am I manipulating, and what are my motives, honestly?"
Perhaps it is too late for me to contemplate such a question. But I'll give it a go. People are, in general... bastards. Directly or indirectly. They'll do what it takes to make sure that their own wellbeing and those of their own circle, comes before others. No matter how much of a good person they want or hope to be. It's natural right?
ReplyDeleteBut to achieve this, people manipulate everyone around them to make sure everything is as they want it. That's not to necessarily turn people over but rather just ensure that the status quo is maintained.
As for your motives, they may be wholesome and true. You perhaps eat organic fruit, drink fairtade coffee and generally try and "do the right thing". But if it comes to the crunch, people will manipulate and exploit whoever it is necessary to ensure the survival and progression of them and their own.
That's not a bad thing I'd say... but wouldn't it be nice if we all walked down the street tomorrow with £2 and gave 3 people 50p?
Why do we see the horrors in the world around us and continue to refuse to fully assume the consequences of this knowledge so that we can continue acting as if we don't see it, and continue the manipulation?...
not sure i'm 100% in agreement, but i love it!
ReplyDeletei never realised it in quite this way before, but for me this beautifully emphasises how important it is that we seek a diverse "circle". because otherwise we risk promoting the needs of just a few and refuse to acknowledge the consequences for the many...
i think this is why i believe that we need to acknowledge that we're a global family if we're to manipulate the world into a better place!?...