ohhhhhh Hitler

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Hitler came to mind here as well. But a great speaker can also further great causes, being wary of every great speaker or leader is just ridiculous- think Churchill.

by Anonymous 9 years ago

Churchill was a great wartime leader, but his resounding defeat in the election immediately after the war is a testament to how little faith people actually had in his ability to lead the nation in peacetime. He was an aristocrat, and already responsible for unpopular measures taken in the past.

by Anonymous 9 years ago

So "best" speaking equals "best" manipulation? Then no one should strive to be a best speaker on these grounds. Manipulation is more than just words someone says. It involves actions and emotions as well. And are there not many "best" speakers who are NOT "best" manipulators? Just out of curiosity, do you view Obama as a manipulator or a genius?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I'm not saying that, all i'm saying is that we should be wary of them, because they can be very good at manipulation as well. And to be honest, i'm not sure, i don't keep tabs on single figures really. I like anonymous...? But otherwise i'm not to politically active. He hasn't really manipulated people I think, because what does the nation back him up on?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I agree that the OP could have put it more tentatively, let's say by adding "are quite often the best manipulators". But there is definitely a good point being made. Obama is another example of this. I don't think that he's a particularly effective leader per se. I'm not so anti Obama that I'd say he's terrible or useless, but he certainly hasn't delivered on the levels of change and hope that he promised in 2008, not even close. The myth of the siren is the best way to demonstrate the OP's point. The sweet siren's song lures people to their doom, just as the well-written and spoken words of certain people can push all the right buttons and get people to do whatever you want, including vote for you. There are always exceptions though, which is why the OP definitely should have been less sweeping.

by Anonymous 9 years ago

I definitely agree, but it's worth considering a possible brain backstage pulling the strings. The brain holds the motives and direction. What the brain lacks is the social intelligence to properly manipulate. That's where the voice comes in.

by Anonymous 9 years ago

This is often linked to the "Warren Harding Error". We often use the aesthetic to judge how good someone will be at something. Warren Harding was sa good looking man; tall, handsome and statesmanlike in appearance, but he wasn't exactly the most effective president, nor was he qualified to be a good president. So why did people vote for him, they thought he looked best. Same with the speakers, they push all the right aesthetic buttons with people and win their votes. But more often than not, these people are terrible at being leaders. Notable exception? Margaret Thatcher - she was not only the best speaker of her time, but also a damned fine leader.

by Anonymous 9 years ago