IMO
About the website: You've been manipulated. But I agree on the 'don't be yourself'.
Like Shakespeare said, the world a stage and everyone are merely players. The ability to be anyone you wished, not only 'yourself' (by yourself, I mean your physical being), is a great thing.
About manipulation: nothing wrong. Try it for yourself. Personally I like to be able to manipulate people, like Hitler *hitler_smily.png* (This is the main reason why I want to improve my speaking skill even now).
I think Steve Pavlina is manipulative. Things going like he planned. Human growth. I assume that Steve's main objective is human growth.
Learn how human react to things, learn human psychology that is relevant (what is relevant depend on your current situation), learn from others, trial and errors etc.......
Me? I just want to have fun, and I want others to have fun... but they are so... hopeless... they cling to the illusions their own mind created... to the material stuffs... and yes, they need to be manipulated.
Manipulation resources? Good place to start would be the 48 Laws of Power. And if you don't like to read loooooong essays, then go away. You're wasting your time on this planet.
And if you react with facepalm.jpg, then go. Go and follow your heart. Be warned, I like to play with people's heart (In real life).
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