An Antidote To Today's Manipulative Strategies

An Antidote To Today’s Manipulative Strategies.

“Divide & Conquer”

“Misdirect & Distract”

“Fake Moral Outrage”

“Foster Disruption with False Choice”

“Foment Anger of the Month”

“Obfuscate when Challenged”

“Gaslight Day & Night”

“Simplify, emotionalize, infantilize”??

These are just a few of the many strategies some are using to keep the populace confused, angry, and unfocused. Why? Simply, because these strategies work in their favour, for their benefit and to our detriment. They are used to plant seeds of doubt, keep people focused on peripheral issues rather than root causes, and help ensure that the real truth never gets uncovered.

Magicians have known the power of distraction and misdirection for centuries, politicians have used its power for even longer as they fight to grab, or stay in, power. Large business interests and lobby groups have deployed these tactics whenever they need to forward their agenda. So, if these strategies have been used so successfully for centuries...

Why Write This Series Now?

Frankly, it didn't start as a series. In fact, it began as a simple thought exercise just for myself. It then progressed to deeper research and analysis because whenever I brought up the subject with friends, strangers, acquaintances, and business colleagues, it led to deep and meaningful conversations 80% of the time (Yes, I measured it. Remember, I am a bit of a research geek at heart).

This is a very high percentage given the depth and breadth of the people I spoke to. If 80% were engaged in feeling this way, obviously society as a whole was experiencing one or more of the above-mentioned manipulative strategies in their lives.

Then, in one afternoon, it all became very real. I had agreed to be a guest on my friends' (Barry & Donna McGuire) regular ZoomCast. Barry and I worked together for years back in the day helping people see 'Behind The Curtain' and it was always fun and informative. So I thought, "This will be a bit of fun" if we relive that feeling of helping others while discussing the increase in investment Scams, Shams & Spams we see in the market today, versus what we have witnessed over the previous decades. Barry and Donna expected maybe up to 125 people would register to listen live.

Well, much to our astonishment, 807 people registered. That number, and the questions being asked during the call, became more indicators that these conversations I was having, and the concerns that people were feeling, were pervasive. (You can find the recording here as a charity fundraiser: https://barrymcguire.ca/shop/real-estate-rendezvous-a-webinar-with-don-r-campbell/ ).?

So, off I went. I began to read, investigate, strategize and write (and write, and write and write). This exercise I was putting myself through revealed a new level of concern but more importantly, it helped to uncover some tools and strategies that INDIVIDUALS can use to calm their personal waters during these tumultuous times while opening their eyes to how we as a society and as individuals are being used.

In this series of upcoming papers, we're not going to solve societal issues (not yet, anyway, that will be for a future series). These editorials are written simply to share a healthy way in which you can daily slow, or even stop, the manipulative spiral that they've put us all on. Whether in your business, your job or your personal life it is a series designed to help us, one-by-one, take back some of the emotional, physical and financial control.

Awareness & Acknowledgement is Always the First Step??

The journey back to control begins with awareness. Awareness of the obvious and subtle manipulations and misdirections. Once you tune your radar to them, you can't help but see them being used everywhere. In fact, you will begin to see that they have become societal habits; some have even called them societal addictions.

Social media, social settings, political gatherings, backyard BBQs, radio talk shows, TV & print news, and politician press releases use them. Even your fellow community members use these tactics (sometimes consciously, but most times subconsciously).??

The power of these strategies is enhanced even further when you add the deployment of these effective strategies to the chaos of the ongoing wars & conflicts, inflation & unaffordability, food insecurity, increased taxation, and decreased healthcare access. By just reading that list, you can see why we are witnessing a LOT of people in our community feeling an increasing amount of stress and anxiety.

Ironically and sadly, these feelings eventually give rise to even more people being manipulated by the power-grabbing strategies mentioned above… thus increasing the speed of the negative societal spiral which supports the 'power hungry' and hurts society as a whole. Remember, "these strategies work in their favour, and to our detriment."

Stop The Ride I Want To Get Off It

The negative societal spiral is dangerous, it is harmful to individuals as well as communities and whole countries. If we as individuals don't ongoingly deal with the spiral it can build up momentum and cause additional long-term physical and mental health issues, which is exactly what we don’t need right now.

Yes, we've all heard that getting out daily to experience some sort of exercise can make a big difference; yes, many use meditation, medication or prayer to help quiet the onslaught and slow the spiral. However, did you also know that scientific studies have shown that there is another daily practice that can help immensely with both physical and mental well-being?

Well, there is, and I have been using it daily for decades to: help clarify my mind, reduce the impact of outside manipulation strategies, and stop the spiral while assisting me in gaining focus and clarity. It provides both short-term and long-term positive effects to my life and my business. The scientifically proven, and deeply studied habit that I'm speaking of is the purposeful use of humour.

The Seriousness of Humour

"HUMOUR? Are you kidding me? All of that big build-up to get to ‘Laugh More?’ What's to laugh about in today's world? That seems so trivial. These are serious times."

Wait, hear me out. Remember this is part one of the series, so trust me. Even the Mayo clinic agrees.?

I have discovered over the decades of sharing serious topics, economic analysis and detailed math to large and small audiences across the nation that people will always learn more and, more importantly, remember more of these serious topics if I teach with sprinkles of humour throughout.?I've tested it during the more than 902 presentations I've given.

When the game of life gets serious, as it is right now, finding stress release through humour has historically proven to be a fantastic 'pressure release valve.' In fact, there are MANY scientific studies published that detail the benefits of humour use during high-stress situations.

For instance, Mayo Clinic has a quick overview, here is an excerpt:

“Whether you're guffawing at a sitcom on TV or quietly giggling at a newspaper cartoon, laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that's no joke.”

Short-term benefits

A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:

Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.

Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.

Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Long-term effects

Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:

Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.

Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.

Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.

Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier.

The Daily 2-Step Humour Habit - Wash, Rinse, Repeat

Some people feel guilty for laughing or making others laugh during times like these. I say, if you have the ability to laugh or make others laugh (but NOT the type of humour that is at the expense of others or is mean-spirited), then it is your duty. Seriously. A humour break in serious times allows the mind to ‘wash & rinse’ and be clearer and cleaner when you dive back into the serious world.

For many years, I have made it a habit to start my day by reading humorous stories or listening to humorous podcasts before jumping into the news of the day. THEN at the end of the day, my habit is to find something funny on YouTube so that I end the day with some chuckles. Watching comedians I like doing stand-up, or a great comedic interview for instance.

I have found this daily 2-step habits to be incredibly effective in managing stress, helping to keep the 'mental wolves' at bay. You don’t become a doe-eyed pollyanna, all you want from this 2-step daily humour habit is to use it as a form of mental maintenance, just like brushing your teeth consistently 2 times everyday is a form of oral-health maintenance. You may have fought it as a child, but learned the value of it the more you made it a part of your life.?(Smile :) ) ?

Being consistent with this humour habit has helped me approach life, and its inevitable ups and downs by providing me with a clearer more analytic head and a more positive outlook. I am sure it will for you, if you stick with it.

This first habit in this series won’t change the facts of the world that seems incredibly messy right now, but it will help you take some of the power back from those who are silently manipulating our society for their gain. All it takes is for you to consistently as you 'wash-rinse-repeat.'

You Can Be A Part of the Healing, beginning with yourself

Let's work together on this habit. Yes, we all have different tastes in humour, but if you have some recommended humorous podcasts, YouTube Channels, comedians, et al. that you think we'd enjoy checking out that would help reduce the stress level of your fellow citizens, drop links to your recommendations in the comments section below so we can all check them out.

Here are a couple of humour sources to get you started. Interestingly, I am drawn to humorous podcasts that also make me think.? Here are two of my current favourites. Please note, some of these episodes contain ‘blue’ language:

Podcasts:

1. Off Menu Podcast. Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite special guests into their magical restaurant to each choose their favourite starter, main course, side dish, dessert and drink.? Although seemingly a ‘food’ podcast, it isn’t.? The concept is just a wonderful way in which to allow guests to open-up, reminisce, and share humorous and touching stories.? It is UK-based so if you appreciate UK humour, as I do, then you should enjoy this podcast.? There are currently 250+ episodes, so I suggest you scroll down choose three guest you recognize and like and listen to those episodes first.? After listening to 3 episodes, begin to write your list of favourite starter, main course, side dish, dessert and drink. As well as “Poppadoms or Bread.”? It is interesting where that thought process takes you.? (post it below, or send me it on a private Direct Message if you prefer).
2. Russell Howard’s Wonderbox. This one is a breath of positive tinged fresh air. A Wonderbox is a place where you keep little reminders of what makes life worth living. Each week Russell chats to a special guest about what they’d keep in their Wonderbox, recounting the most memorable and funniest moments of their lives.? In a world of misery, this podcast is an absolutely joyous celebration of the little things that make people tick. I suggest using the same strategy with this podcast. Find three episodes that include guests you recognize, listen to those to get the feel and rhythm. Then begin to think “Hmmm, what items would I put in my Wonderbox?”??

My choices may not be to your taste in humour; that is not the reason I put them above. I do hope you do find value in the conversations they start. But humour is subjective and personal. Of course, there are many other engaging humorous podcasts or YouTube Channels we can tap into for the scientifically proven antidote to the world's current overwhelm of negativity.?

Remember, this is not an exercise in ignoring the important; it is an exercise in personal mental and physical health management. In other words,

"Give yourself a mental treat; you deserve it."

Yes, I also listen to serious podcasts, but not at an addiction level. Sprinkling my car drives, my gardening, and my boring tasks with humorous interludes has actually allowed me to absorb, analyze, and break down the more serious issues while helping me be acutely aware of the manipulative games that are being played on our society right now. Listening after consistently washing-rinsing-repeating' allows me to see the world through clearer eyes.??

Sadly, the negative news and forced divisiveness will be spreading at an increasing speed as people and nations struggle to grab or hold on to power and influence. It will be easy, and in some cases important, to get mad, easy to get frustrated, and very easy to get caught up in it all. That is why, as a counterbalance, we need to keep our good humour even during these darker times so we and our community stay healthy and thriving.

It All Starts With A Smile At Everyone You Meet, even those who choose not to smile back.?

Be Well, Be Smart, Be Community Oriented. The time to build a new mental cleansing habit is now, because next in this series we begin to get serious (see title below).? I look forward to reading your humour suggestions and comments below.