What's the fun in playing other people?

[Andi]

While watching firefly, especialy the episode "trash", the idea to this thread came me. And this poll.

Playing other people, i.e. manipulating them after ones own sinister wishes... What's the fun in that?

As witnessed in one of the occasional flame threads, this "playing others" is practiced with fevor also on these boards, halforums, which we call home.

Yeah, I myself like the occasional tongue-in-cheek-teasing of my fellow forumites, but if it goes farther, directed at actually hurting the ego or the feelings (or both) of another human being... What's the fun in that?

Let us discuss this human trait - the "urge" to manipulate others, to exercise power over them, in any given way.

So, what do you think on this topic?

 

[Andromache]

I think youre asking two different questions, or basing two separate thesis statements as one (why hurt people vs why manipulate them)

and i have my own theories.

 

[Andi]

In my opinion, that's not so different... In the end, it's about forcing ones own will upon another human being.

It my not hurt in the short run, but in the end (I have to emphasize again: in my opinion) that leads to suffering on the reveiving end of the stick of manipulation.

Okay, for the moment, let us leave out the "hurting feelings" part... Just let's elaborate a little bit on the "manipulating" part.

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 PM ----------

*snip*

and i have my own theories.

Who doesn't?

 

[Ross]

Fuck manipulation. If you can't have power without manipulating people, then you don't deserve the power... it's just ego-maniacal.

 

[Andromache]

manipulation can be blatant and hurtful, or subtle and symbiotic. the latter is far more prevalent, especially in "professional spheres"

 

[bhamv3]

There is pleasure in control. I believe the same instinct that makes us troll people on forums is also why we enjoy jacking cars in GTA, or predicting the results of a football game, or voting in elections. We like to feel like we're in control.

 

[ThatGrinningIdiot!]

Manipulation can be fun, but I wouldn't do for that reason alone. The main reason I would attempt to control others is to gain something I want or need.

 

[Charlie Don't Surf]

In middle school, I read Othello and basically took notes from Iago and broke up my best friend and his girlfriend since he was spending too much time with her

 

[Shegokigo]

Without manipulation, I wouldn't be alive, nor want to be. It's my entire livelyhood.

 

[Hailey Knight]

You have become all that your father fought against!

 

[Necronic]

I actually find it fun, especially in board games. In my Settlers of Catan group I got the knickname "wormtongue". Its such an important type of power, and its one that can only be given to you by other people, so I don't feel bad about it in anyway. The only thing is I draw the line on blatant lies when manipulating people. That's wrong and self destructive to your goal.

 

[doomdragon6]

Manipulating and hurting are two completely different things.

I manipulate people in the fun "I like to be a jackass" way.

For example, while waiting for club meeting, I finished my drink and started bonking this girl I'm friends with on the head (lightly) with the bottle. After she sat there ill-amused for a few moments, she snatched the bottle, shouted, "Give me that!" and stomped off with, "I'm throwing this away!" towards the trash can on the other side of the very large room.

I more-or-less jokingly leaned back and was like, "Thank you~!"

I manipulated this person in two ways-- I got her to throw my bottle away, cuz I knew that would be her reaction, and then the 2nd time by "teasing" that she was doing me a favor instead of herself one.

 

[Andi]

Manipulating and hurting are two completely different things.

I manipulate people in the fun "I like to be a jackass" way.

For example, while waiting for club meeting, I finished my drink and started bonking this girl I'm friends with on the head (lightly) with the bottle. After she sat there ill-amused for a few moments, she snatched the bottle, shouted, "Give me that!" and stomped off with, "I'm throwing this away!" towards the trash can on the other side of the very large room.

I more-or-less jokingly leaned back and was like, "Thank you~!"

I manipulated this person in two ways-- I got her to throw my bottle away, cuz I knew that would be her reaction, and then the 2nd time by "teasing" that she was doing me a favor instead of herself one.

You mean, heartless prick!!! How could you do that!

*runs away and goes crying in the corner*

:tongue:


You got a point there with this... Come to think of it... Each of our interactions with others is somehow a form of communication... To put it a bit extreme: Every communication with others is somehow a form of manipulation... Under this aspect (and I guess other aspects too), manipulating and hurting differ greatly.

Hmm... I need a good nights sleep... ATM, I'm too tired to bring across the idea of what I really mean.

 

[Andromache]

now he's getting it.