Hi Wilf,
Originally Posted by
William F. Owen
...but, do not underestimate the power of envy, or the stupid and convoluted thinking that sustains it, as a position, to make is seem other than what it is.
Really, REALLY good point! All too often, I find at any rate, that many people don't take basic emotions into consideration. Envy is a really good example, and one of the easiest ones to manipulate. The simplest version goes like this:
X: do you see what the Americans have?
Y: Yes
X: Why don't we have that?
Y: Because the Americans got it by stealing our natural resources
X: So it's all the fault of the Americans?
Y: Yes. They steal our resources and send us McDonalds and Bay Watch!
X: So they are both thieves AND immoral (I only watch Bay Watch so I can know my enemy!).
Y: Yes, and they also try to destroy our children by making them eat fast food and listen to their Satan worshipping music! We KNOW they are EVIL because all they have they stole from us!
Silly, but a good example of how envy can be used in an anti-American IO campaign.
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