The World is all Illusion.

And you believe it.

Myths appeal to cultural identity and emotions. Superstitions exploit our desire for control and fear of uncertainty. Hoaxes play on emotions and trust. Illusions alter perception to influence belief. Understanding these mechanisms helps us recognize how persuasion operates around us through ancient myths or modern-day media stories. 

Illusion is a perception or interpretation of reality different from the agreed-upon objective reality. Illusions can take many forms, such as optical illusions, auditory illusions, or cognitive illusions, and they can be caused by various factors, such as sensory limitations, cognitive biases, or psychological states.

Optical illusions, for example, are visual illusions that occur when the brain interprets visual information differently from reality. The Theuller-Lyer illusion, in which two lines of equal length appear as different lengths due to the addition of arrowheads, is an example of an optical illusion.

Auditory illusions, on the other hand, are illusions that occur when the brain misinterprets auditory information. For example, the Shepard tone illusion is a sound illusion that creates the perception of an endlessly rising or falling tone.

Cognitive illusions, such as the confirmation bias or the framing effect, occur when the brain processes information in a way that is biased or influenced by pre-existing beliefs or expectations.

Three views to see here. A random set of straight lines on a gray colored background is the most difficult one to see and it is all that is really there. A box in the corner of a floor and two walls is most common. A cube removed from the top left corner of a large box is my favorite.

Illusions are both fascinating and problematic. While they provide insight into the workings of the brain and perception, they also lead to misunderstandings, errors in judgment, and even dangerous situations. Pilots may experience spatial disorientation, an illusion that occurs when the brain misinterprets sensory information, which can lead to accidents.

There is nothing actually moving here. With a bit of focus you can stop some but not all.

How do myth, superstition, hoax, and illusion intertwine to influence beliefs and actions?

Persuasion through Myth: Mythology and storytelling have long been powerful tools for influencing human behavior, beliefs, and attitudes. The myth suggests advertisers use hidden messages (subliminal cues) to manipulate consumers into buying products. For instance, brief flashes of images or words during commercials can influence our choices. [Great for movie drama.] Scientific research has debunked the effectiveness of subliminal messages in advertising. While subliminal perception exists (where we process stimuli without conscious awareness), the impact on behavior is minimal. And yes, anyone can be hypnotized without their knowing it.  

Persuasion uses myths, such as the story of Pandora's Box, to persuade people to take action to prevent a possible negative outcome. The story tells how Pandora opened a box that released all of the world's evils into the world. In a persuasive argument, the myth would encourage people to prevent a negative outcome, such as environmental destruction or social injustice, by emphasizing the consequences of inaction and the importance of taking action to avoid a negative result. This works really well if the event is a hoax.

The myth of the Trojan Horse is well-known, and the Greeks made a giant wooden horse to gain access to Troy and ultimately defeat the Trojans. In a sales pitch, the myth would persuade potential customers that a product or service is like the Trojan Horse in that it is a powerful tool to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Yes, there is a sucker born every minute.

Persuasion through Superstition: Superstitions offer a sense of control over unpredictable events. People perform rituals (like knocking on wood) to avoid adverse outcomes. Fear of bad luck or desire for good fortune persuades individuals to adhere to superstitious practices.

Persuasion through Hoax: Hoaxes manipulate emotions (fear, curiosity, outrage) to spread false information. They create urgency or sensationalism, leading people to share or act without verifying facts.

The persuasive power lies in triggering emotional responses and exploiting cognitive biases.

Persuasion through Illusion: Illusions demonstrate that our perception is malleable. Magicians, advertisers, and propagandists use illusions to manipulate attention and focus. By creating false impressions or diverting attention, illusions persuade us to see things differently.

How may you avoid all these forms of manipulation? You need to be willing to hear what is true and let it use you. You cannot use it. Using what is true changes it, turning it into a lie or, at best, false. 

From the ego's point of view, being willing can be seen as a way to assert one's dominance or control over a situation. The ego may view being willing as a means to achieve personal gain or recognition and may be motivated by a desire to prove oneself to others. This can lead to a competitive mindset, focusing on outperforming others rather than working collaboratively towards a common goal.

From a space of opportunity, being willing is being open and receptive to new and other possibilities. It involves a sense of curiosity and a willingness to explore and experiment. In this space, being willing is not about achieving personal gain or recognition but about contributing to something greater than oneself. It involves a sense of humility [thinking of oneself less, not thinking less of oneself], a willingness to learn from others [listening with a beginner's mind, listening as though you've never heard this before], and a desire to take risks and try new things. This can lead to a collaborative mindset, which focuses on working together towards a shared vision or goal.

 "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - Shakespeare - Hamlet.

Can we separate thoughts about perception from what is actually there? Imagine seeing a rattlesnake out of the corner of your eye, and your entire body goes ballistic. Looking closer, it is a roll of rope fallen off its hook to the floor. How much of our perception is imaginary rattlesnakes?

Errors in the reasoning used to sway opinions:

Ad Hominem: Attacking a person's character instead of addressing their argument. Appeal to Authority: Assuming a statement is true because an expert or authority says so. Modes of Persuasion (Ethos, Pathos, Logos):

Introduced by Aristotle, these modes are essential in rhetoric and persuasion: 

Ethos: Appeals to credibility and trustworthiness.

Pathos: Appeals to emotions and feelings.

Logos: Appeals to logic and reason.

Aristotle's work "Rhetoric" outlines persuasive techniques that remain relevant today. His principles guide effective communication and influence [manipulation without you or them noticing], emphasizing ethos, pathos, and logos. Myths and stories [the News] shape our perceptions, beliefs, and actions. Whether it's ancient legends or modern advertising, understanding these persuasive techniques will help us navigate the world.

Myth, superstition, hoaxes, and illusions are 99.99% of what we see and believe. Not believing is no better and perhaps worse. Where is there a way to see that provides access to truth? There is another screen to recognize first, outside the picture.