Manipulation

Dependence on manipulation
Manipulative people

Nature

Dominating another person so that they act according to one's will. Manipulation implies that devious means are used and that the manipulated may well be acting against their own self-interest.

Incidence

A 2021 global survey by Ipsos found that 62% of respondents believed they had been exposed to manipulated information online, highlighting the widespread nature of manipulation in digital environments. Incidents of manipulation are reported across various sectors, including media, politics, and finance, with social media platforms frequently cited as vectors for coordinated manipulation campaigns affecting millions worldwide.
In 2018, the Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed that data from over 87 million Facebook users had been harvested and used to manipulate voter behavior in the United States and other countries, demonstrating the significant real-world impact of large-scale manipulation.

Claim

A world of unseen dictatorship is conceivable, still using the forms of democratic government. (Kenneth Boulding)

Counter-claim

Manipulation is often overstated as a significant problem, overshadowing more pressing issues like poverty and climate change. People are resilient and capable of critical thinking; they can discern when they are being manipulated. Instead of focusing on manipulation, we should empower individuals with education and awareness. By fostering strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, we can mitigate the effects of manipulation, making it a minor concern in the grand scheme of societal challenges.