Fear through mental manipulation

"You no longer have any fear. Therefore, you are completely free."

Thus spoke the mysterious heroic figure in the movie V for Vendetta.

Reading between the lines, I conclude that the only way anyone can control you -- take away your freedom -- is through fear. Let's put it this way: your fear is their remote control.

But what is fear? Anthony Robbins calls it F.E.A.R., for False Evidence Appearing Real.

Why does it appear real? Mental manipulation.

Who's doing this mental manipulation? Professionals. People highly trained in the art of propaganda (ad agency folks, spin doctors, PR consultants, political strategists, etc.).

These highly trained professionals master the art of "managed public response," as the late Kenneth Galbraith calls it in his powerful little book titled The Economics of Innocent Fraud.

But why should you care that they are mentally manipulating you? Well, if you have a great job and are well paid for it, and you have everything you want in life, then you shouldn't care.

But if there are things you want in life, such as financial freedom or a better career, etc. then their mental manipulation might be damaging to you. They might send you, on a daily basis, messages and signals that keep your fears in place so you don't attempt anything crazy (like quitting your job and launch a risky new business).

This is why the late Peter Drucker said that every time you see a successful business, it's because somebody made a courageous decision.

In the next posting, we'll explore why business knowledge is important.