fandomhigh | Speech Comm

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Speech Comm

101
I think it's time to work on elocution. In order to have a little fun with it, and because we are such a small class, we will be reading Fox in Socks alloud until it rolls off the tongue like a State of the Union address. Open your books...

301
Continuing our discussion of the week, we've addressed sex and violence, but now I want to focus on the more subtle means of persuasion...things a cynical person may call "manipulation." You've all read, or at least opened, your book, so who'd like to chime in first?

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*confused*

Lee, will you start? Concentrate on enunciation...speak slowly and clearly. Here we go.

Fox
Socks
Box
Knox

((ooc:cracking myself up...best public speaking exercises evar.))

"Manipulation is a sneaky way of controling someone."

Sydney nods, looking around the room.

"Well, yeah," Rory chimes in. "But sometimes it can be for the benefit of others. It doesn't have to be negative."

Sydney notes this, but also thinks Rory might be slightly naive

"Usually is negative though."

"Sure, usually. But say you have a situation where someone's life is at stake - if you can manipulate the would-be murderer into submission, then it's very positive. Being able to manipulate is like any other skill - you can use it for good or bad."

If the skill itself is amoral, why is it usually used in a negative sense? I mean, what's the difference between manipulate and convince?

AHA! Precisely! What do you think Jack...what's the difference?

I think convince has kind of the sense of using logic, and manipulate has the sense of using emotions. If you convince someone, you're arguing with them. If you manipulate someone, you're... manipulating them.

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prof-cregg.livejournal.com - 2005-09-21 22:55 (UTC) - Expand

Elizabeth had been planning on remaining quiet today in this class, after yesterday's incident of knowing more than she should.

But she can't help but chime in.

"The problem with manipulation is that the manipulator is trying to get what he wants, or make a person believe something. It requires calculation, and can at times, be an almost dishonest way. In some circles, it's considered a form of pyschological abuse."

Ah, abuse of power is a definite concern. I'll have to make sure we address that before this unit is through. Thanks Elizabeth!

"I definitely agree with that. My point was just that if it can be a valuable skill in the hands of someone who will use it correctly."

But is it actually manipulation if it's used correctly, or does it become something else, such as persuasion, or social influence?

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prof-cregg.livejournal.com - 2005-09-22 04:39 (UTC) - Expand

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notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com - 2005-09-22 15:13 (UTC) - Expand

When was the last time you heard someone talk about manipulation in a positive way though?
Even if it's for someone's good, somebody else is still being manipulated so it's negative for them.

Good point Lindsey. And, can I add, people are always more upset when they feel they've been manipulated after the fact. In sales it's often called buyer's remorse. In relationships it can be a killer.

But you like law...what about the finesse it takes to convince a jury of your side...isn't that manipulation?

I prefer to think of it as persuasion.
I always thought of manipulation as being more like forcing people into something.

Might all be semantics though. I'll have to think about that.

Ah, the power of words. Semantics...more important than you could ever imagine. Keep thinking on it Lindsey.

Veronica agrees. She's done some manipulating in her time, but always for a good cause.

Piper sighs and doesn't want to think about manipulation.

*Looks at Piper, but doesn't put any pressure on her to talk. She seems...upset.*

Allie isn't sure if she thinks its ever okay to manipulate someone. She can't think of any good reason to do so.

Well, the true art of manipulation is to do it in such a way that the manipulated one doesn't realize that they've given up their power.

Manipulation isn't always bad, sometimes people just can't see the forest for the trees and need a little...oush in the right direction.

Persuasion, though related, is nothing like manipulation whatsoever. To persuade someone is to convert him or her to your way of thinking - to convince him or her that your way of doing or viewing things is the proper course. In order to do so, one must often overtly state views and purpose; help the one being persuaded understand why his or her original stance is/was an unwise choice. A successful manipulation never exposes itself, or the manipulator, in this way.

Manipulation is simply lining up the dominoes so that they fall as you wish. The act of manipulation is neither good nor bad, that value lays in the intentions of the manipulator. The word carries negative associations because no one likes the idea that they are being, have been or will be, used as a pawn in someone else's game. Many people, where I'm from, like to believe that they have free-will - that every thing they under take is done through personal choice rather than as part of some greater plan forged and honed by some great, unseen puppet master.

[ooc: Didn't see a place to stick this in the convro and am too tired to look again.]

Ahh... *Caroline starts* Fox, Socks, Box, Knox. Knox in box, Fox in socks. *She starts to fumble at the 'ticks and tocks sir' but is determined not to let Dr. Seuss beat her*

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