Manipulation

This photo was taken in Piccadilly Circus. It's here because of the gigantic billboards, and people taking pictures of them. I guess advertising is just a legal form of manipulation. There are others, but i don't want to talk about the various forms of this activity, i want to talk about the dangers of embarking in such a enterprise. Manipulation can be a very safe activity, as long the victim doesn't know is being used. When the victim is about to discover is own status many things will happen.
If the perpetrator is careful, he will notice that is about to be discovered. Then he can take action, and the only action possible that will guaranty some type of victory is to stop. Failing to do so will result very likely in problems. The victim can also notice that his being used. When that happens there are two path to choose from.
1)disclose immediately the process.
2) wait and prepare a response.
At this point I must recall Sun Tzu's "Art of War". One of the rules stated is more or less the following:
"If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every battle won there will be a battle lost. If you know yourself and the enemy, you should not fear a thousand battles"
That's why manipulation can be very dangerous. Usually the victim is trusting, that lead to and excess of confidence from the perpetrator. Because of that, he won't notice when discovered. Then, if the victim remembers Sun Tzu, will stop, think and look at the situation in a new light. That can give the victim all the tools needed to obtain victory.
History is full of people who succeeded because they waited for the right moment to take action because, when they acted, they new exactly what to do. Looking at Clausewitz now, because they concentrated forces
at the right moment in the exact spot, they achieved victory. I guess everybody should know a little classical strategy and tactics. You never know when you will need them.