Historically, withholding knowledge and education has been one of the most effective ways to manipulate people. For thousands of years, controlling the flow of information has been a powerful tool to influence people's behavior and opinions.
Kings, emperors, priests, and other authorities often monopolized access to education, writing, and knowledge. For the majority of people, education and knowledge - and thus the opportunity to form one's own opinion or question the actions of those in power - remained out of reach.
The Internet age: a revolution in knowledge access?
With the advent of the Internet and the associated near-universal availability of information, this dynamic has changed dramatically. Knowledge that was once reserved for the elite is now available to virtually anyone with an internet connection.
So could one say that the Internet has made manipulation by withholding information impossible? Unfortunately it's not that easy.
Limited Manipulation in the Information Era
Although the Internet has dramatically expanded access to knowledge, there is still information that is inaccessible to most people. For example, certain scientific, technical or political information is often difficult to understand without the appropriate prior knowledge or specialist knowledge. Overall, however, the proportion of knowledge that is not generally accessible is significantly lower today than in the past.
The new manipulation strategy: Fake News
In today's world of information technology, hoaxes, often referred to as “fake news,” have become the primary tool of mass manipulation. False or misleading information intentionally disseminated can be just as effective as withholding knowledge - perhaps even more effective.
Once people have adopted a particular opinion or belief, they often find it difficult to change it or accept that they have been deceived. This phenomenon, often called confirmation bias, can cause people to hold on to false information even when presented with correct information.
Avoiding disappointment: A human factor
Why is fake news so successful? One reason could be human nature. Nobody likes to be disappointed. It is not easy to accept that you have been deceived or that a cherished belief is wrong. This desire to avoid disappointment can cause people to cling to false information even when confronted with the facts.
Conclusion: Knowledge is power, but power can manipulate
In the Internet age, manipulation by withholding knowledge has decreased, but has not disappeared. Instead, today we face the challenge of fake news, which in some ways is even more difficult to combat because it exploits the human tendency to cling to compelling information, even when it is false.
Ultimately, the old saying “knowledge is power” remains valid – but with the addition that power, if used incorrectly, can lead to manipulation. It is up to all of us to educate ourselves about and fight back against misinformation to promote a clearer understanding of our world.
Also read: Facebook chain letters targeted: A satirical analysis
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

