Daily Times

The existence of a free and socially just society depends on an informed public. The power of propaganda to generate myths and portray it as an absolute actuality is a major factor causing the increased strife and anxiety in our society today. Manipulation has been considered as an art, science and skill throughout recorded human history but it is now becoming an extensively used tool as a part of policy, practice and strategy in order to drive power and control over others. Individuals, groups, corporations and states can equally use this tool to gain their vested interests.

Folks skilled in manoeuvring want to control the attitude and conduct of others and they have insight into what makes people susceptible to manipulation. As a result, they strive to appear before others in a way that associates themselves with power, authority and conventional morality. What do manipulators do to expand their interests? They propagate, indoctrinate, misguide, mislead and deconstruct public opinion tactfully by playing with factual information. They regularly use sophisticated and modern techniques of manipulation to linger in power.

They are brutally skilled in triggering the elements fit to create an enabling environment for manipulation. Doubtlessly, manipulators have become the true global powers in today’s world. Their primary goal is always to be in charge of what others think and do by domineering the way information is presented to the masses. They hold enviable mastery in reinventing and re-producing the information, which does not clash with their own interests and helps them to contain absolute control over power. This phenomenon is truly termed as a modern day mind control technique and social engineering by Alex Ansary.

People are manipulated towards particular patterns of thinking, conduct, attitude and emotions in such a way that is appropriate to make them subject to act as and when required by the manipulators. They are fully charged and it only requires an apt trigger in order to make them move in a pre- determined course of action. And then, we all know that the crowd does not think, it just reacts.

It is extensively perceived that we live in a free world, a world with optimal choices. But, contrary to this claim, we are living in a world where only a few are enjoying that freedom with a plethora of choices. This is mainly because some men, women and groups want to manipulate others for the sake of power and fortune. That manipulation has incarcerated humanity right through the olden times, and still presents the most ominous threat to freedom and equal rights for all. It is an ugly scar on the face of human dignity.

Paradoxically, we believe that we live in a democracy, which by definition is the type of society in which eventual supremacy lies with the populace. Our leaders, institutions, governments and corporations are supposed to be our servants, accountable to us and fulfilling the wishes of the people, making inclusive decisions for the greater good of all. Of course, the recipe to reverse this course of action in the favour of those who are selected to serve lies for the propaganda, manipulation and distraction of population form their real issues. And we all are witnessing this happening today.

In order to tighten the hold of their power, the manipulators use modern and sophisticated techniques globally. Some of the techniques widely used in today’s contemporary world include controlling the media, excessive use of television, fear of war, national interests and security, religions and cult, dissociation of facts, robotic education, indulgence in blind consumerism and corporate slavery, consent of authorities on lies, reinforcing the conventional power dynamics, hiding the facts and promote unnecessary secrecy and distorting the history. But, this is not all. The propagandists are constantly updating their selves in modern day techniques to enslave the population without even letting them know. The soft techniques to enslave the world population are working really well for them. The individuals, groups and even whole nations are vulnerable to this.

Essentially, the lifeblood of a responsible and free from manipulation society lies in the undistorted flow of information and facts. In order to empower people to hold accountable the manipulators, they need to have an accurate picture and understanding of how they are being exploited.

Regrettably, when the whole nation heads towards becoming a viciously indoctrinated crowd in order to be wilfully manipulated for the gains of petty interests of the power holders; it will require countless decades to undo the effect. Who knows, how many generations will pay the price?

The writer is a freelance columnist and can be contacted at shabnambalouch@yahoo.com