Quote:
Originally Posted by brendannz 
and is is wrong or evil to manipulate others?
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For me manipulation has a negative connotation. Influencing is the neutral / positive variant.
Manipulation means trying to get somebody to do / be something they don't truly want. A win/lose situation.
Influencing is trying to get somebody to do / be something that they want but are not (yet) aware of and give you what you want too. A win/win.
In that sense manipulation is wrong though it can be sucessful in the short term.
I don't agree that most manipulation is done unconsciously. Challenge people whom you feel are manipulating you and observe their reactions. Usually they were aware of what they were doing (but maybe were in self denial). Seldom they are sincerely surprised that they were manipulating.