I get asked how influence and control are gained. The formula is surprisingly simple:
Take the seven deadly sins, or more broadly the core human desires and weaknesses that appear across cultures, religions, and throughout history. Package them into products, entertainment, media, or politics. Sell them. Gain attention. Convert attention into money. Convert money into influence. Use that influence to shape the narrative.
Examples:
1. Greed β wealth, status, luxury, financial ambition
2. Vanity β beauty, image, social validation
3. Envy β comparison, competition, FOMO
4. Gluttony β excess consumption and instant gratification
5. Lust β attraction, desire, sexuality
6. Wrath β outrage, conflict, tribalism
7. Sloth β convenience, comfort, effortless entertainment
The more effectively an organization can capture these impulses, the easier it becomes to attract audiences, customers, voters, or followers.
Attention creates revenue. Revenue creates influence. Influence shapes culture and narratives.
This does not necessarily require a secret conspiracy. It can emerge naturally because systems tend to reward whatever captures human attention most effectively.
Since human nature changes far more slowly than technology, the same underlying drivers continue to work generation after generation.
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