Was it really your choice or were you covertly nudged, anchored, incentivized and manipulated?

Was taking sleeping medication really your choice or the outcome of subtle over the counter advertising even though the research evidence suggests that it will cause long term harm?

Was the evidence presented at the congressional hearing that contributed to Congress to authorize the first Gulf war based upon actual data or manufactured fake news orchestrated by the Kuwait Government?

How come so many people claim that Trump won the election overwhelmingly even though he actually lost the popular vote by 2.8 million?

How come we make impulsive choices which upon reflection did not work out?

Do we really make well informed choices or are they the result of being covertly nudged or manipulated?  Before you vote, before you buy a product, before you undergo a medical procedure or take medication, before you share a Facebook post, or before you talk to your boss, be aware that your choices may not really be yours but instead the result of being influenced and manipulated. From voting to the sales of pharmaceuticals and cars, we act because we feel it is correct; however, in many cases  our choices were not achieved through reason and deliberation.  They were the result of being nudged, anchored, incentivized,  manipulated and influenced by fake/false news-a process that significantly affects how we interact with each other

Before acting on information, read the superb book, The persuaders: The hidden industry that wants to change your mind, by philosopher James Garvey. This book describes in detail the strategies that persuaders use to have you act as they would like you to act which impacts all facets of your life  As the cover of the book states: “You are no longer reasoned with–Instead your opinions and behaviors are manipulated by covert means.”