Who does not like looking at beautiful things? The sense of sight is the last sense to develop for human beings but it is amazing how essential it is for our development and also for our appreciation of this beautiful world that we live in. People are compelled by images and visuals because they can evoke emotions at an instant, they can be interpreted in permutations we can only imagine, they can win over arguments with little or no effort at all, they can keep you at a state of awe (and keep you there) and they can tell a story longer than any book. Underneath a single picture lie stories, reasons and answers. Stories, reasons and answers that are not necessarily true or of pure nature. This is what law number 37 is all about, using images to compel people and hide what you’re really doing.
The book gave two main examples of people who used images wisely for their benefit. The first one is Dr. Weisleder from Berlin. He healed his patients by exposing them to the rays of the moon. You would say “Oh come on, who gets healed by being exposed to the moon? Did the people actually believe him?” Of course we know that no one gets healed by being exposed to the rays of the moon, but yes, people (many people) actually believed him. People lined up for him and they get healed because Dr. Weisleder made them believe that they get healed by the moon alone. Dr. Weisleder, equals the moon, equals healing (equals power). It was that simple, no need for long explanations and tongue twister names of diseases. And to quote from the book, “He recognized that people do not always want words or rational explanations, or demonstrations of the power of science; they want an immediate appeal to their emotions.”
The second example is Diane de Poitiers, King Henri II’s first and only mistress. She was 20 years older than him, so she got worried that King Henri would go about chasing after younger girls. She did what she had to and used symbols and images to keep him enthralled. She made a symbol with their initials intertwined and placed it everywhere she wanted and everyone recognized it. She then associated herself with the Roman goddess Diana. Now who would go out of a relationship when it’s all over the palace and everyone knows about it? And who would not love a goddess? Diane de Poitiers was successful in this and King Henri remained faithful to her until his death, made her duchess and gave her untold wealth.
If I should have been faithful to this law, I would have just posted a beautiful and very interesting picture or something. But in this case, words are still important than images for my all too important grade.
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Lea Marie G. Desuasido
Hi18 L
34 comments:
You guys have an interesting assignment. Haha. Um so comment. Is this what those "fate/fake" healers use? But even though it really has no benefits, the fact that you believe you will be cured is a big help already. Like in Personality, what is important is our subjective perceptions of our experiences, not our experiences. Haha. --Loo
on a shallow note, this law applies to dating or sucking up to people nowadays. If i wanted to impress my parents with a Christmas gift, a big performance or hugely expensive or simply huge gifts should do the trick. A hug or kiss on the cheek will never have the same effect as the former examples.
With marriage proposals today, it's a popular thing to pop the question when you're in an air balloon a 100 feet high, get the message written across the sky, in the middle of an NBA basketball game at center court. If you want an emphatic yes, it's all about spectacle!
monica ang, L
It's almost hard to believe that people will so easily accept something as spectacular and farfetched as the healing power of the light of the moon. But it makes sense that the more spectacular you make yourself out to be, the more respect others would have for you. I mean, I doubt people would have believed the healing powers of his flashlight. It's the image of yourself others see that defines how they look at you, and the bigger you seem, the more believable and the more respected you become. I'm not sure why, but that seems to be the way humans think. And the more respected you are, the more powerful you are. And isn't that what these laws are all about?
Sam Bautista
hi18-K
images are powerful because of what they symbolize -- examples of this are in churches where people flock to paintings of saints, wooden and marble statues of angels, whenever we make the sign of the cross or look at and recognize crosses.
i have to agree that the images are powerful tools for recognizing power -- that people will respond to what the images represent and anyone capable of manipulating meanings is Powerful. however, images are reproducible -- they aren't exclusive. and i think that, couples with another law that says one should make oneself scarce in order to increase one's value, the proliferation of an image and one's association with it can be equally harmful.
kyra ballesteros hi18 k
Using images to influence/convince people can be effective, but maybe not to everyone. Perhaps, it is the magnificence of an image that can make a person believe something unreal. When you make something look spectacular, it can become believable. However, i do not agree with what Dr. Weisleder (from the first example) said. I believe that people, especially in these times, are very rational that they will always look for reasons and explanations before they believe things. There are times though, when people believe in something even though there is not much explanation for that thing, and that's what we call faith. In the first example, the people must've had a lot of faith on the moon's power. Upon using this law, therefore, one must make sure that the image used is really grand and convincing for people to believe.
Dana Cammayo
Hi18-L
it is natural for people to constantly seek pleasure. one way how people gain pleasure is by the things they see. the world is filled with so many beautiful things and sometimes, to look at them is already enough. people just love a beautiful scene. i like this law because by presenting captivating images, you can already lure people in to thinking what you want them to think. you can somehow be in control of things.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
i'm a very visual person. i love looking at things, seeing things. esp beautiful things. so, i can relate to somone who would fall for this law. having said that, i'd say it was a pretty powerful law. the trick is not to overdo it. because then even people like me will get suspicious. it's like a magic show. the grander the trick, the more you wonder: how did they do it?
ocampo 18-k
i just want to add that i agree with what isabella said, that one must not overdo this law. you don't want to make things appear too perfect or nice in the eyes of others because their is the possibility for suspicion. i remembered a famous saying, "it's to good to be true." you don't want other people to have any doubts about the things you show them. you don't want them to wonder if there's something behind that. it's important to appeal to people's eyes while at the same time, consistently gain their trust in you. you really want them to believe in you and the things they are seeing. that is why it is important to use a style that works best.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi 18 K
@ Loo
Yes, we do have an interesting assignment. I think, this is not exactly what faith healers today use. Faith healers today, make use of trickery rather than associating themselves with a powerful image. Even though some associate themselves with gods that they claim to have given them their power...as long as the people believe in those gods too, these faith healers are making good use of this law. You're right in saying that the fact that you believe is a big help. But remember that for this law, believing is achieved by the strong emotions images evoke to a person.
Your last sentence is a great way to connect history with our course. Haha. I like it :P
Leng Desuasido
Hi18-L
@ Monica Ang
However shallow images, visuals and us looking at the grandeur of the superficial may seem, yes, it does work...most of the time. The book said that the law does not have a reversal. Talk about a great law. We simply cannot ignore grand images like the examples you mentioned. :)
Leng Desuasido Hi18-L
@ Sam
Yeah, a flashlight would never compare to the moon. The moon has been there ever since and the cultures that evolved throughout the ages have attached great meanings with it. It is much more bigger than a flashlight.
On another note, I agree with what you said that a bigger a person may seem, the more believable and respected that person is. Moving slightly away from the topic of images... I think this is why many people like others who are confident.
Leng Desuasido Hi18-L
@ Kyra Ballesteros
Yes, we all know that if something is rare, it is of high value. The availability or popularity of an image may lessen its value because people tend to overlook or habituate to the things that are repetitive in their environment. That is why it is important for one to think about the image he/she wants to associate his/herself.
Leng Desuasido Hi18-L
@ Dana
Yes, I also think that sometimes people want rational explanations, i think what Dr. Weisleder said refers to people who are already in desperate need, like his patients. They badly want to be cured, they might have gone to every doctor in town but still found no cure and they finally found it in Dr. Weisleder.
Leng Desuasido Hi18-L
@ Philip Verde and Bea Ocampo
You talked about two points for this law. The first one is that this is a very powerful law because most people do like looking at beautiful things. The second one, you said not to overdo it because one might suspect of the way or the reason for putting up a great show. It is, as you said, dangerous because people will start wondering and looking for answers, but on the other hand, it still shows power over those people. Just like the celebrities, many people adore them and they often leave people wondering how they do it and these fans now search for information and "scoops" about these celebrities. And these info are supplied to them by shows like E!buzz, the buzz, entertainment live etc. etc., the paparazzi and celebrity magazines. And sometimes the fans themselves do the information gathering. This could be an annoyance for the celebrities but this just shows how popular they are and how many their fans are.
Leng Desuasido Hi18-L
This is a powerful law. Spectacle is associated with magnificence, and magnificence is associated with power. We can look at the example that China set during the Beijing Olympics. They awed the world with their displays of extravagance and wealth and by showing the world what they are capable of through a carefully calculated plan: build images of China's capabilities through the magnificent Bird's Nest and the Bubble Building, charm internation audiences through flashy displays of pyrotechnics and acrobatics, and ultimately, show that they are a formidable nation on Earth.
Spectacle and magnificence may not mean everything, but it certainly helps one assert power and capability--and the best part is that this often only requires flashy displays and grandiose parades.
Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L
I agree with Chio about spectacle being associated with magnificence, and that's what actually brings people closer to you - to follow you and be awed by you.
Take for example the YouTube videos which have garnered millions of page views. People wouldn't watch those videos if there wasn't anything special, interesting, unique or absolutely amazing about it. Those videos have actually made the stars (or people) involved even bigger and constantly talked about. If you want that kind of attention, recognition or popularity, why not try something new. Try something exciting that has never been done before, or one that just leaves the viewer with her mouth open in amazement til the very end.
Gliza Marasigan
Hi18-L
In children's parties, magic tricks are almost always part of the program. It's really cute how entertained kids get whenever a simple trick is done. And you can't help but notice the awe in their innocent eyes. They have no clue how certain things appear and disappear in a blink of an eye or how a rabbit turns into a dove just by putting inside a hat. Even at the end of the show, they remain amazed and desire to see more of these spectacles. I guess this is just one of the things that makes magic shows so popular. This is just an example that very much proves this law. By being a "magician" to others, without a doubt, a little trick can make such a huge impact.
Krizia Javate
Hi18-K
The first example you gave reminded me of those spiritual healers who, according to them, had an encounter with the Lord. Because of these miracle workers, people flock them in hope of being cured of their illnesses. Just like in the case of Dr. Weisleder, we don't know whether or not they really possessed the power. I guess, in line with this, the question of faith comes in.
Tom Manahan
Hi 18-K
i think that this law actually teaches you about the art of distraction. like in your example, the queen actually was able to distract king henry from looking at younger women because of the compelling images and artwork that she was able to present him. and therefore she was able to keep him faithful to him. when applying this to war, being able to distract the enemy is a big advantage. because without concentration, a leader will not be able to achieve his goals. like for example darius of the persians, was distracted by what was happening in egypt, and thus, was not able to achieve his goal (alive), which was to pursue athens.
John Kristoffer M. Gomez
hi18 - section L
Reading this law, I imagined this:
Rough and tough man dressed in a biker outfit, brass knuckles and an acid green mohawk. High school drop-out, simpleton, easily amused.
A monkey with fez and the clapping cymbals magically appears out of nowhere. Ok, so relative to the situation this is The Compelling Spectacle. Goes up to it and smiles stupidly while copying the claps the little primate makes.
If you think about it, at this very moment, this biker guy has his pants down. He was compelled in such a way that he let his guard down because of the captivating monkey thing.
Now multiply and contextualize this image to battle-scale proportions, then you'll soon be able to catch your monkey-loving biker guy with his pants down!
Joey Palma
Hi18-K
P.S. That was weird. :P
I think this can be best applied in the entertainment industry in general, as singers, bands, actors etc, try their best to get that big "break". Since this is their calling to power, creating a compelling spectacle about themselves is the best way to go. It doesn't have to be good or bad, as long as its in the media, it will do for anyone in this industry. I guess in this sense this law isn't more "morally upright" compared to the other laws since it still uses a kind of deception.
Alan Ortiz
HI18 K
Power goes side by side with beauty. Why do you think James Bond always has to have a beautigul girl by his side whenever he does his missions. People crave to be around beauty, whether or not it is in the form of living or nonliving thinks. By creating a compelling spectacle, you would have also achieved in controlling your enemies and friends alike. Power comes and goes, what keeps it together is ones ability to harness beauty thus controilling ones power.
Richard Hahn
L
The way i see it, the main reason why people want to believe in spectacles is because of their innate want to believe in something greater than them. In a certain sense, is this not why many are easily compelled to believe in magic, or even gods for that matter? In any case, I agree that this is really a powerful law. It can create a solid reputation, if you don't have one, and if you do, it would increase your reputation a great deal further than before.
Filbert Tan
Hi18-K
The power of this law can be seen in one of the most influential things in the world: media. Celebrities, musicians and the like are shown to be the epitome of beauty and success. Everyone aspires to be like them. The influence of the people in media is truly great. You can even save an entire country and eradicate something grievous like poverty through the help of celebrities alone.
We should learn how to use this law to our advantage. By building a good reputation worthy of admiration and respect through spectacular images, people will undoubtedly follow you.
Teri Marcelo
Hi 18-K
Reading the first example given, I couldn't help but remember all those people who try to trick people into paying for a visual service that doesn't even have scientific backing. We have infomercials, shamans, etc. that claim to work "magic" in our lives, and just because they have visual representation/evidence for what they try to make people believe in , people fall prey. This law actually takes advantage of the vast majority of ignorant individuals (in this specific case at least), thus making it a very powerful law indeed.
Paolo Banaga
Hi 18-L
i agree, especially given this day and age, wherein visual tools are of the essence in relaying ones messages to others. Seeing is believing seems to be what usually goes on in most peoples mind nowadays. The key to make them believe in your purpose could be to merely show them the actual rewards that it would bring.
-Angelo Mendoza, His18-L
I would have loved to see what kind of spectacle you would post in place of this law…^_^
I agree with angelo - many people need to see first to believe something...that's why spectacle is really important...show people evidence of your power, or something like that...
If this law says images should be used to compel people and hide what you’re really doing, I have a question about Dr. Weisleder: what is his hidden agenda? Was it just to be popular or there was something else?
Most of the laws in the book are focused on gaining respect or making yourself superior, and this law serves these two functions.
Chris Macalinao
Hi18 – L
A lot of people are easily fooled by impressive images, which I am guilty of too. It's really sad that many people are so shallow when it comes to certain things. Take for example an imported brand of something versus its local counterpart. People often chose the imported one because they are impressed that it's "made in USA", when in fact, the local counterpart's quality may be at par or even better than the imported one. People must learn not to be so superficial when it comes to these things.
PC Magnaye
Hi18-K
First of all, point well-written!
In advertising class, we were thought that visuals are one of the most important elements in an ad because it's the one that catches the audience or the consumers' attention. The only danger I see in this law is that images or visuals or even other non-verbal language are open to a lot of different interpretations. Some people may get your intentions right while the others may miss the whole point.
Chua Rojas, Serica
Hi 18 - L
Spectacles are a great form of distraction. Deception and trickery often go hand in hand and because to distract someone usually entails taking his attention off something else and hogging that attention.
A spectacle is meant to amaze. Amazing a certain opponent not only allows you to distract them but attacks the core of their trust.
Regina A. Yulo
Hi 18 L
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