Persuasion - Some popular techniques - PART II

It has been recently popular to talk about NLP or Subliminal messages as tools to persuade others. These methods have also some critics , who say they are not credible enough, but I live it to your judgment.

NLP- Neuro-linguistic programming

It is a set of techniques that aims at creating and altering patterns of human thought and perception. Its name stresses out the bond between neurological processes, language and behavior. It founders John Grinder and Richard Bandler claim that people can program themselves into certain behaviors, emotions etc. They discovered a relation between accepting a suggestion and certain words and phrases. In other words while using some concrete expressions you could program someone to do something- a very simplified description.
Here is a sample of this technique to give you a clue:





There are different methods in NLP such as “modeling” or “swish pattern”, which contribute to the NLP technique and are supposed to alter your or someone else’s thought patterns. For more information I suggest you take insight into numerous sites describing NLP across the web.


SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES

Subliminal message is a message transferred in some medium (picture, audio, movie) and is not consciously perceived by our brain. In other words our mind is not able to spot it in a conscious manner (because it is shown for extremely short time or wittily placed in some other message) as it is seems “invisible”. In fact, however, we are able to perceive it beneath the limen (sensory threshold) and it influences our behavior, emotions choices in a significant manner.

Numerous studies on the subject were done, some more or less successfully. People in a cinema primed for 1/3000 of a second at five-second intervals with a message “Drink Coca-cola” or “Eat popcorn” increased sales of these products by 58 and 18 percent respectively.
So you may be exposed to a message and influenced, but still unaware of it.

This is widely used in advertising for example to create familiarity with a new product. So u enter a supermarket and have a significant preference for a thing you are seeing for the first time. There are plenty of examples of visual messages (e.g hiding smiles on a package layout) or sometimes also connected to sexual content or money- have a look yourself:













So you wonder how does it really work? Here is a good depiction:



For me personally these techniques doesn’t seem 100% credible, but the huge body of evidence across the web and also publications give us an idea that there might be actually something in it. As I said, I live it for your judgment.


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Sources:

- www.NLP.pl
- Wikipedia.com
- Youtube.com

Persuasion - How to influence people - PART I

Persuasion - How to influence people




There are different ways of how you can influence people. Recently it has been very popular to promote various techniques, which are supposed to make people comply to you- in other words you can learn how to influence behavior of others. NLP is just one to name. Such methods have gained popularity especially with the development of fields such as marketing or in sales industry. However, they are also being remonstrated by scientists dealing with the field of social relations, mainly psychologists, which claim such methods to be pseudo-psychology.

So how can we really influence others? Do the popular methods work? Have you ever found yourself in a situation when you agreed to buy something and then didn’t even know why? It is best to begin with basics, which bring about many useful tips how change actions and attitudes of others. There are 6 trends (this has been heavily studied and scientifically validated) in human bahavior that facilitates persuasion:







Reciprocation – people of all cultures and races subscribe to the rule that you reciprocate what has been done to you. When someone is polite to you, it is very likely you will feel the need to reciprocate this behavior. This probably stems from the evolutionary mechanism, which once helped our species to survive. Therefore, we often feel obliged to “return”, even if the favour or item or bahaviour was unwanted.

*This is widely used when it comes to free food samples, free workouts at gyms, or trial rides when buying a car .

Consistency - people want to appear and behave in a consistent manner. So after you gain their agreement, concession or an opinion on a topic, you may expect to have them behave consistently with what they admitted previously.

*You surely have heard something similar: “Mr Kowalski, do you agree that we need to protect our environment”” Yes”” So you will agree that our super environmental friendly vacuum cleaner is what you need”


Scarcity – People tend to value higher these things that are scarce. Therefore, if something is less available, it becomes more desirable. So you just need to point out that an opportunity is accessible only for a short period of time, this way making a person more willing to grab it.

*This you have surely heard, too: “Our special offer is valid only for a month- you can get this vacuum cleaner half price, but only till the end of June”

Authority - It has been proved that we are more prone to comply to people who have authority. So when persuading someone, you will be much more successful in a suit and tie and even more when wearing a uniform, even if the dress code is uncorrelated with the issue you deal with. So your persuasion will be much more effective when you call up to some authority- “five out of seven doctors recommend”- or when you appear as a person in authority.

*This is why in most toothpaste ads you have actors in doctor’s smocks recommending the exact product. Or famous actors (yes they constitute authority individuals) advertising different services uncorrelated to their profession at all.

Liking - people tend to agree to people they like and to like people who are similar . Some may say it is obvious, but how to make use of it? Paying open compliments to the client can double your sales-yes it can, even if they are aware of it . If you imitate body language and try to appear similar (e.g. speak in a similar manner to you interlocutor) you are prone to be a successful persuader.

*Sales people often seek a connection with their client- “No kidding, you are from Gdańsk? I was born and raised there! What a coincidence”- which also works in favor of their aim- to persuade you.

Social validation - If more people like the idea, the idea must be correct. We are more prone to accept something, if other people do. Basic mechanism, when deciding how to act, is to look what others do/would do in a given situation. We don’t want to stand out- mojority must be right.

*This is why we often get informed that the item is the fastest-selling product on the market. Showing people a list of donors, who donated to a charity, will increase their willingness to donate, than if the list wasn’t shown.

These may seem very simple and general rules, but after understanding them correctly, they can be very successfully applied to your everyday persuasion. Most of us probably, somehow intuitively, already do some of the tricks. However, after realizing the power of these simple rules and how they work, your from now on conscious persuasion will become even more effective.



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Sources:

- article „Science of persuasion” Robert Cialdini
- Youtube.com

Miniature Wargaming – part 3 – Hobby

Playing miniature games is really relaxing activity, but there is a lot work that needs to be done before. ‘Armies do not paint themselves’ – painting and modeling is very time consuming and demanding. In third part of my presentation I would like to share few thoughts about modeling and painting.

Modeling
Modeling usually takes place before painting. It is step when you have to decide how to assembly your miniature, remove any leftovers from producing process and maybe add some extra bits to your miniature.
Most plastic miniatures comes in sprues like this one:
Before assembly all parts needs to be carefully cut off from frames. Then glue all parts together.
Next steps involve some extra preparations. I hope the following video will explain everything in detail.

Sometimes, you want to convert your miniature. Converting is rather advanced modeling technique that allows to make very exceptional and unique miniatures.
Here you can find some example which helps you to understand this process.

Painting
Painting is part of this hobby that brings me most joy. If I am able to I like to spend each weekend an hour or more to paint a miniature or two. I am not professional so I am astonished and amazed by some works presented at coolminiornot. I have a lot respect to people who by painting miniatures can earn enough money for living.

Golden Daemon
Golden Daemon is painting contest organized by Games Workshop. It takes place in many countries (including Poland since 2007). Golden Daemon has eleven main categories and two special ones. Each person can participate in one or more categories. First three places in each category are awarded with Golden Daemon statuette (gold, silver and bronze), moreover a person who wins most categories is also awarded with special Slayer Sword.



I do not want to present this time any “how to”, because there is plenty tutorials available on the web. Here is an example. Besides there is no one specific way hot to properly paint miniatures.

That is all. Thank you for reading.

Sources:
www.cytadela.pl
www.coolminiornot.com
www.games-workshop.com

Miniature Wargaming – part 2 – The story behind

Most miniature wargames are situated in fantasy or since fiction themes. To me, such theme is most attractive and important aspect of wargaming. It is very tempting to recreate some parts of fictional history. I would like to cover few schemes, especially Warhammer 40,000.

Warhammer 40,000 – “In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war.”

It would take a book to summarize history of WH40k or dozens to tell the full story. To show you a glimpse of WH40k story I would like to quote a paragraph from Games Workshop official website:
“The 41st Millennium is a savage future age where Mankind must battle for survival in a galaxy riven by bloodshed and destruction. Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, assailed on all sides by aliens, traitors and Daemons, and only the superhuman strength of the Space Marines and the uncountable numbers of the Imperial Guard stand between the slavering alien hordes and total annihilation.” – scary isn’t it? ;)

Actually there is publishing wing of Games Workshop, (Black Library) which publish Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 books. Black Library is delivering it products in four main categories, two for Warhammer (Warhammer and Time of Legends) and two for Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresy). Time of Legends and Horus Heresy categories are focused on the past. The first series is about myths and ancient times of Warhammer World. The Horus Heresy take place in 31st Millennium, when the great civil war is about to begin.

I am the Warhammer 40,000 fan. I like its specific mix of science fiction, gothic and … medieval touch. Most stories are written from Space Marines point of view. Space Marines (or Adeptues Astartes), are artificially enhanced humans. They are the best soldiers that mankind can muster and so they are the most elite fighting force prepared to face any foe in any circumstances. They are organized in chapters. Each chapter consists of one thousand space marines divided in ten companies. But the most important fact is that the chapters heraldry, rites of initiations and other customs resemble knightly orders of the medieval age.
I can’t say why but I love to read all books involving these imaginary warriors of the far future.

War of the Ring
I assume that Middle-earth is well known realm to everone. What is worth notice is that stories covered in "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogy take place in third age of Middle-earth. While War of the Ring rules enables to play battles that took place earlier in Middle-earth timeline. The game rules are capable of support all battles that took place in Middle-earth, even those large ones like battle of the Pelennor Fields.


Flames of War
If you like history and your area of interest involves World War Two, then I strongly advice you to buy at least one of the campaign books just to read it. Each book covers in high details all forces and engagements of some particular WW2 operation. You can find there many valuables information like quotations of commanders notes, maps, plans, weaponry and equipment used, armies involved and many more. The only one drawback is price. Each book costs from 90 PLN to 200 PLN.

Sources:
www.games-workshop.com
www.blacklibrary.com
www.flamesofwar.com

Miniature Wargaming – part 1 – Introduction

So what is wargaming? Wargaming is the hobby, which enables to simulate conflicts. Most wargames involves modern or historical conflicts, but games played in fantasy or science fiction worlds are also very popular.
Generally each wargame falls into one of four categories: card wargaming, board wargamining, computer wargaming and miniature wargaming. As you already noticed I will focus on miniature wargaming, throughout my presentation.

How to play?
As I mentioned above, miniature wargaming is type of wargaming. The main difference between miniature wargames and other wargames is that miniature wargames involves the use of miniatures (usually 2 - 54mm tall, made of plastic or metal) to represent units rather than cards or tokens. Of course, that is not all. To play, you will also need some model scenery, playing surface (e.g. table or floor), dices, measure tools and maybe some markers. It depends on which miniature wargame you wish play. Further in this presentation I will try to cover some most popular miniature wargames.
Miniature wargames are more varied and flexible than other forms of wargaming. It is so, because rules enables not only recreate some particular historical events, but also to play custom scenarios or campaigns and customize armies.
Preparation for (first) game is very labour-intensive and costly undertaking. First of all, to build an army, you needs some miniatures. It’s really various, but I can safely assume that typical costs around few hundreds zlotys. Then you need to paint your miniatures and to do so, you have to buy paints, brushers, modeling knives etc., and spend another few hundreds zlotys. Bear in mind that it is simply impossible to paint whole army in one afternoon. If you are busy person it would probably take a month or longer period of time. Next thing is playing surface. Nowadays it is easy to obtain some prepared components or even buy whole game table. Last thing, the most important is an opponent worthy of your tactics skills. ;)

These are only essential and basic information. In next parts I will write more about wargames stories and modeling, painting and gaming.

Miniature wargames
The first (known to me) attempts to codify rules for miniature wargames are H.G. Wells books: Floor Games(1911) and Little Wars(1913). They were very simple games providing only some general thoughts, but sufficient to play and have fun. And having fun is all what it is all about.

Nowadays there is plenty of miniature wargames and many miniatures manufactures, but I am going to write only about few I know and like best.

Warhammer Fantasy Battle – First published in 1983 by Games Workshop, very successful, well known and still continued (7th edition) fantasy miniature wargame. What is worth notice is fact that first edition of Warhammer was subtitled a ‘massive combat role playing game’.
The WFB was also the first wargame I ever discovered; it was December of ’96.

Warhammer 40,000 - Younger cousin of WFB, first published in 1987 by Games Workshop. WH40K is sci-fi wargame of far future(yes, the number in title is not random). Some claim that WH40K is the most profitable miniature wargame ever released. Not matter if the statement is true, WH40K is extremely popular and has many fans.

BrikWars - interesting wargame, where every game piece (scenery, miniatures etc.) is made of LEGO. The BrikWars rules are freely available at http://www.brikwars.com/

Flames of War - World War 2 based wargame, published by Battlefront. Each miniature represents exactly one solider and game rules enable to realistic simulation of combat.

War of the Ring - Newest Games Workshop game released this year few days ago. The main aim of this game is to recreate all great battles of Middle-earth and make easy to play large battles where each player commands at least fifty miniatures.

Have you heard about wargaming? What is your attitude? Is that great opportunity to have fun or another way to waste money?

Sources:
www.cytadela.pl
www.games-workshop.com
www.wargamer.pl
www.brikwars.com
www.wargaming.pl

Imaginary worlds, part 3

The third author that I'd like to introduce in my blog post is Philip K. Dick. One of his most famous novels is “Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”. This story is much different from the previous ones I mentioned. First of all it's not a myth-based fairy tale about magic, brave heroes, good and evil; the main plot is set in future, in a grim, dark, postapocalyptic world.

Why would I mention such a story next to “Peter Pan” or “The Lord of the Rings”? Isin't it different? Of course it is different, but still I believe analyzing that kind of literature might help us understand why people create imaginary worlds.

The world described in this novel is heavily damaged by wars and pollution. Most types of animals are endangered or extinct due to extreme radiation poisoning. Humans are afraid to loose their humanity, because of body and mind deterioration. Advanced technology is used to develop and sustain empathic skills which are meant to be the essence of being a human.

The main character is a bounty hunter of androids. He tracks and destroys fugitive androids on planet Earth. But as he progresses his mission he's starting to wonder if the androids are really only machines?

I believe the whole story is meant to make us think about what qualities, if any, are unique to or are able to define what is human and make readers question their own humanity. Some may say that it's obvious and there's no point in trying to define humanity. But is it really that simple?

Imaginary worlds, part 2

Visiting a world where everything is possible, where evil can be easily defeated by a sword or a spell and where a little hobbit takes responsibility of saving the entire realm and succeeds simply gives us hope, certitude that we can make it. Dou we often doubt in our worth we pleasantly listen to stories like those of J. R. R. Tolkien, where the main character is little and weak but appears the most courageous and important. In “The Lord of the Rings’ the strongest warriors could not oppose the force of The Ring but a little hobbit Frodo Baggins could; we all sometimes feel like a little hobbit, that is why we like this story.

Also when we step into fantasy world like the Middle-earth the thing which is interesting is the fact that there is an evident border line between what is good and what is evil, the choice of which side to assist is easy. Facing evil taking the guise of an orc, Balrog or even Sauron is easier than making choice in the real world – here evil is harder to detect and stand against.

Lastly, hardly anyone has enough time and courage to look for adventures, however everyone sometimes dream of it, that is why we like to at least read about them – to imagine that we are the heroes.

People create imaginary worlds to become somebody they would like to be or live a life that they are not meant to live. They look for respite in their imagination because adulthood is harder than one could suspect. And though there is no way to remain a child forever like Peter Pan or to begin a magical quest like Frodo Baggins, still we can hold the pure joy of life inside our hearts by using our imagination and visiting worlds created by others who did not lose their childish gift.

Imaginary worlds, part 1

People have been creating fantastic worlds for ages. This fascinating phenomena pushed me to analyze writing of two authors famous of their rich imagination and creativity. Throughout my 3 blog posts I wish to discuss the purpose of those mystical visions of imagined realms in fairy tales, myths, and in fantasy books on example of J. M. Battie’s, J. R.R. Tolkien’s and Philip K. Dick's works.

The first trace to follow is that mankind, since the civilized world arose, looked for various ways to escape reality. The most probable reason of this sociological mechanism is the fact that the difficulties of everyday life often seem to be to hard to handle. Therefore people want to push away their worries and responsibilities by hiding themselves in alcohol, drugs, books, TV, computer games, internet and of course imagination. Like Peter Pan the hero of J. M. Battie’s writings, who wanted to escape the difficulties of adult life and to avoid the sad problem of ageing and death. He chose his world of imagination where he was an everlasting child, even though all his friends left to face the real world.

There are times when every person understands Peter's decision. Sometimes life is hard and world seem so colorless. One cannot believe in magic and dragons but one would like to, because then surrounding reality would not be so gray and dull and everyday would be an adventure. It is easy and relieving to escape responsibilities, to relax and stop worrying – and that is why we jump into those pools of imagination.

Imagination is children’s blessing, it gives them possibility to perceive every object as something mysterious and magical – we would like not to lose this ability when we grow up. Almost every child felt like Peter Pan once – fought pirates with a wooden sword, had its gang of Lost Boys and believed that flying is possible. And even if it was only young brain’s imagination it gave real joy and made the world a hundred times brighter. Reality is very stiff and often predictable unless we help it a little by using our imagination. Even though we cannot fly to Neverland, still we can nurse the spark of childish bliss in our hearts and carry it into adulthood.

What do you think? Have you ever read Peter Pan? What do you think about this patricular story being read by adults?