Manipulate - To tamper with or falsify for personal gain + To influence or manage shrewdly or deviously
Influence - To affect the nature, development, or condition of; modify. + A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events
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Manipulation has negative connotations. It’s associated with falseness, hidden agendas, and abuse.
I think someone can influence another person without manipulating them.
If someone presents their agenda openly and offers evidence / reason for others to be interested in it - I wouldn’t call that manipulation.
If they are respectful, honest and fair to the interests of the other - I wouldn’t call this manipulation.
One could seek to influence others to be able to act in their own self interest. To empower them. To give them the capacity to think critically and understand their environment.
This isn’t manipulation.
And if one has the capacity to protect themselves, then they won’t be susceptible to manipulation and can make their own decisions.
All without the need to resort to using the methods that one is seeking to get away from - manipulation.