Manipulation
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Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
In general, manipulation is a human activity dealing with physical states of objects, or mental states of persons. The goal of manipulation is either not clear, or incomprehensible or morally/legally inacceptableare.
In particular, the word manipulation can refer to:
- manipulation(of public opinion)
- Joint manipulation
- Social influence
- Sleight of hand tricks in magic.
In finance:
Typically the word manipulation is used with a negative connotation.
However a more general definition of manipulation: Any action performed on a system of a given initial state with the prior knowledge of the possible outcome (the next state transition of the system that the action will entail) can throw a completely new light on the subject.
Consider an example. We know that if we heat ice we will get water. In turn we can say that we can manipulate ice into water. Even better we can say we can "convert" ice into water.
Consider another example. We know that if a person is angry, if we be nice to him, he will calm down or in turn if we be mean to him he may become even angrier. Now if a Boss is called upon to manage his employee who happens to be angry by calming him down, this action is "management". But instead if a politician feeds more anger to an already angry crowd in hopes of making it more destructive, we can say this action is a manipulation.
Similarly if an investor buys stocks in hopes of genuine returns in future it is an investment, but if a stock broker spreads rumors to bid down a stock so that he can derive illegal profit by shorting it, it is a manipulation (or may even be a crime, depending on the laws).
Clearly all actions have consequences, when the consequences are life affirming they are considered positive, and when damaging it is bad. The negative connotation of the word "Manipulation" is used typically when the outcome is damaging or likely. However the principles are the same. There is a system, there is an action done with the intention of transitioning the system to a next state which can be either be more desirable or undesirable depending on the point of views of the entities involved. When undesirable it can be called a manipulation, or otherwise generally we always have a better term (like convert, manage, guide, groom, love, develop, etc.)
Manipulation of non living objects for a desired outcome typically needs scientific knowledge. Manipulation of situations involving living objects needs knowledge of psychology. In general successful manipulation of any system or situation needs some prior knowledge of domains that governs that system or situation. But then again it is the intentions and the outcome of the action that ultimately determines whether the manipulation was a “positive action” or well... err... manipulation.
Manipulations are a fact of life. Scientists and Engineers manipulate matter to make products all the time. Good managers "manage" the situations to make their organizations successful all the time. Parents do “love” their children all the time. Kids “play” all the time. But then again bad politicians are tempted to manipulate the situations for their petty gains all the time and stock brokers are tempted to manipulate the stock prices for their petty gains all the time.
In general manipulation is considered bad because of the implied negative connotation. However when done as self defense, or to guide a bad situation into better, or for a desired outcome, it is very very respectful. That is why we respect our Scientists, Doctors and various other Professionals. They can manipulate matter to make products, they can manipulate biology to make a sick patient better, and they can provide services to make our life better. But there is no respect for Criminals (manipulates for personal gains at the cost of others), Dictators (manipulates law and power for his whimsical gains) and so on.
The challenge is to always guide these guys to use their superior knowledge in a life affirming fashion. Which itself is considered a form of manipulation in the eyes of these bad guys :0)
[edit] See also
- Abuse
- Advertising
- Brainwashing
- Charisma
- Fraud
- Indoctrination
- Love bombing
- Machiavellianism
- Manipulator (The Fall of Troy album)
- Media manipulation
- Mind control
- Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
- Photo manipulation
- Propaganda
- Puppeteer
- Social engineering
- Social psychology
da:Manipulere de:Manipulation fa:بازوی مکانیکی fr:Manipulation hr:Manipulacija ia:Manipulation (disambiguation) nl:Manipulatie ja:マニピュレーター pl:Manipulacja pt:Manipulação ru:Манипуляция sk:Manipulácia (rozlišovacia stránka) sr:Манипулација fi:Manipulointi
