We humans have a lot going for us. We can walk on two legs, do interesting things with our opposing thumbs, and even peel a banana. One thing that we have that is most special is the size of our brains, compared to our body size.
Why is this? Why did our brains get so big, and not say, the Koala? Some will argue that because we are basically a nomadic species, we had to learn to adapt to different environments. But many are starting to think that our need for language is what drove our brain size.
That then begs the question, why did humans develop a need for a rich and detailed spoken language? Every other animal on earth does just fine without it. Why are we so special?
If you look at language as a tool, then maybe it starts to make sense. What do we use the tool for? What is it's purpose?
For many, the automatic answer is to simply convey information. Data. Facts, figures, directions, instructions. Are we really just walking computers driven to exchange data with each other, or is there something deeper?
Lately, many psychologists have started to wonder if language is really meant to be used to persuade others. To get others to go along with us. To convince our buddy to throw his spear at the mammoth, and risk getting him in trouble, rather than us.
If you could imagine remembering your first cries as a baby, were you merely letting those around you know that you were wet? Or were you attempting to influence the actions of those around you?
When you see language from this angle, you can begin to understand that the underlying reason behind all communication is to manipulate and persuade others. Whenever you are talking to somebody, you'd like your words to cause them to think or do something that would benefit you.
So it makes sense, then, that if you are going to automatically use language to persuade others, you may as well get pretty good at it. When two people get together to talk, it may as well be you that has the upper hand.
The easiest, and most effective way to persuade is to find out what the other person is after, what they want, and show them that by doing what you want, they'll get what they want.
This means actually building up a kind of relationship with them, no matter how short lived. When you approach this from a win-win situation, you can't go wrong, and the world will be in the palm of your hand. - 31521
Why is this? Why did our brains get so big, and not say, the Koala? Some will argue that because we are basically a nomadic species, we had to learn to adapt to different environments. But many are starting to think that our need for language is what drove our brain size.
That then begs the question, why did humans develop a need for a rich and detailed spoken language? Every other animal on earth does just fine without it. Why are we so special?
If you look at language as a tool, then maybe it starts to make sense. What do we use the tool for? What is it's purpose?
For many, the automatic answer is to simply convey information. Data. Facts, figures, directions, instructions. Are we really just walking computers driven to exchange data with each other, or is there something deeper?
Lately, many psychologists have started to wonder if language is really meant to be used to persuade others. To get others to go along with us. To convince our buddy to throw his spear at the mammoth, and risk getting him in trouble, rather than us.
If you could imagine remembering your first cries as a baby, were you merely letting those around you know that you were wet? Or were you attempting to influence the actions of those around you?
When you see language from this angle, you can begin to understand that the underlying reason behind all communication is to manipulate and persuade others. Whenever you are talking to somebody, you'd like your words to cause them to think or do something that would benefit you.
So it makes sense, then, that if you are going to automatically use language to persuade others, you may as well get pretty good at it. When two people get together to talk, it may as well be you that has the upper hand.
The easiest, and most effective way to persuade is to find out what the other person is after, what they want, and show them that by doing what you want, they'll get what they want.
This means actually building up a kind of relationship with them, no matter how short lived. When you approach this from a win-win situation, you can't go wrong, and the world will be in the palm of your hand. - 31521
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