An Interesting Question

[allyjoy]

step 1: read the blog (it's short) http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/morality_of_influence/

step 2: discuss

[fiyahhh!]

these are not the droids you are looking for...

[Donaldj]

these are not the droids you are looking for...

LMAO

[TomAz]

Long time readers of this blog know that I view humans as moist robots who have no free will, and therefore morality is an irrational concept.

As is "irrational".

I think this article is mental masturbation.

[bmack86]

I could hypnotize all of you with a flick of my wrist. Watch it...

[boarderwoozel3]

If those people are that weak minded then by all means. Just make sure you're getting paid my the candidate you support. That kind of thing could fetch a pretty penny in politics.

[locachica73]

I went to a company party and we hired a hypnotist, I was unable to be hypnotized, apparently I am unable to relax and let go... WEIRD. But that hypnotist just made our male construction workers sing Shania Twains Man I Feel Like A Woman while wearing boas and heels. Good times.

[marooko]

it depends on your ethics/morals.

i say it would be highly unethical. but in some cases it should be done.

ex. i was listening to a radio show and they play this audio clip. man on the street type of thing. they're asking this lady...so if Obama wins, do you think Palin would make a good VP? Oh yeah, I think she was a good choice. So you like her? Yes I do. this bitch should be hypnotized and told not to vote.

[Goodtoknow]

I actually just had a conversation about this very thing in a Corporate Management Ethics class.

Isn't the very nature of the advertising world to do this very thing? If its unethical or immoral then I think everyone has to admit capitalism at is principly amoral.

[TomAz]

You people seem to enjoy masturbating in public.

[marooko]

i think amoral people give capitalism a bad name. i hate advertising.

[allyjoy]

You people seem to enjoy masturbating in public.

We're just trying to be like you, Tom :)

[SFChrissy]

We're just trying to be like you, Tom :)
Haaa!!!

[BlackSwan]

I don't think it really should be a question of ethics. All human minds are influenced by the people and world around them, if you are better at it... kudos.

[allyjoy]

BS, the issue is not convincing someone you're right based on the information at hand-- it's a form of brainwashing. You're not making an argument, just using key words and gestures that trick the brain into accepting the view point. The audience does not have a choice.

[Benis23]

"Allow me to put it into concrete terms. Suppose I knew that I could use my powers of hypnotic persuasion, in the form of common words in this blog, to cause some portion of you to change your vote in the upcoming election. And suppose I believed I was helping the country by doing so. Would it be ethical to change people's opinions without adding any data to the process?"

How is this any different from campaign commercials?

I don't think people are stupid enough to buy a product or an idea that has no substance. Eg. I don't think Apple is so profitable because of the commercials; I think it's primarily because they have a great product.

[frozen pilgrim]

I don't think Apple is so profitable because of the commercials; I think it's primarily because they have a great product.

aaaaannd...

you just proved scott adams' point

[SoulDischarge]

What makes you think people on this board know how to follow steps?

[RotationSlimWang]

As is "irrational".

I think this article is mental masturbation.

I don't understand the intended point of the first sentence. "Irrational" is an irrational concept?

[TomAz]

Well, the notion that moist robots with no free will can be rational or irrational.

however upon futher reflection i retract the sentence.

[JustSteve]

these are not the droids you are looking for...

these are not the droids we're looking for.

[frozen pilgrim]

you can go about your business...
move along