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⬅️ Previous: Context Persuasion/Manipulation

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Description

• Labeling persuasion is the change in the names or labels given (or taken) from something;
• When used to destroy or discredit something based on labels, it becomes labeling manipulation;
• Labels simplify things to their core characteristics. They can be used to make something easily seem much better or worse through this simplification;

How It Works

• When we attribute someone/something a specific term or label, we attribute those characteristics to them;
• Therefore, we can think of someone as better or worse with specific labels (labeling someone a “star”, a “failure”, etc), we can attribute trust to them based on specific labels (”trusted”, “certified”, “award-winning”), or we can associate other characteristics to the person/thing based on specific labels;

How to Protect Yourself from It

• Labels are notoriously hard to get rid. One thing that can work is to re-label the person with another label that neutralises the first. For example, taking a very negative label about yourself, and planting another label, that is just neutral, that neutralises the other one, making it be forgotten;
  • Imagine someone bullies you and calls you “the failure”. And that picks up traction and keeps on going. You can spread a different label, such as “the deliverer”. Maybe it doesn’t even mean anything, or maybe it’s positive, saying you deliver. Either way, the old one is replaced with the previous one;
• A not-so-high-road to take can entail retaliating with another label. If someone at work calls you a “failure”, start calling them a “disaster”. It doesn’t prevent you from going down, but it takes the other side down with you;
  • A variation of this could be to label the other side with exactly the same label. Call them a “failure”, too. Now, the label is diluted among two people, which takes away from its association with you;

Techniques That Cause It

• Scientific-sounding words;
• Quality-attributing words;
• Categories and taxonomies;
• Adding or removing something's name
• Adding or removing honorifics and titles
• Stack: Differential Labels (Labeling Manipulation + Contextual Power)
• Capitalisation
• Stereotypes
• Russel conjugations
• Using language that filters
• Using language that illustrates

Stacks

Opaque Certifications

• Standard + Labeling + Permission Manipulation;
• Something being “certified” uses this specific word to make it seem trusted. That is, you give yourself permission to trust it due to the label. It’s also standard manipulation if the criteria for a certification are unclear;

Examples

In How Manipulation Works

All Other Examples

Persuasionverse Relationships

Executive Presence

How Manipulation Works

Fundamentals of Story Selling

Ultimate Persuasion Psychology

Present in Courses

• How Manipulation Works (9-in-1 Course Bundle);

Additional Materials

• How Bullying Occurs Through Labels (PDF file in How Manipulation Works Course Companion DLC);
• How Labels Oversimplify Life (PDF file in How Manipulation Works Course Companion DLC);

Best Entertainment Representation

Succession S03E04: “Lion in the Meadow”

Succession S03 Analysis

00:16:20, Tom’s “Terminal Tom” label

• Summary: Tom is assuming responsibility for a gigantic cruise scandal at Waystar, and most people predict he’s going to jail, so some people are calling him “Terminal Tom”;
• So, because Tom is probably going to jail for taking responsibility for the cruise scandal, some people are calling him “Terminal Tom”, as in, his career is over;
• This is a devastating label, and I love how Succession is just brutal and raw, in hilarious manners, without holding back even a bit;
• Technically, it’s a very catchy label, as it’s an alliteration, which would make it even more likely to spread and harder to fight against;
• Great example of how labeling can be used, and in particular, against someone;