Hey what’s up Thinkers! Kathy Gibbens here…
Let’s start off with a review from the Manipulation MIni-Series we talked about earlier in the seasons, and this is #6 from that series: Exclusivity. Can you remember how to define Exclusivity? Pause for just a second to see if you can! Exclusivity in this context is defined this way: The idea that this group, organization, philosophy, etc.. is the only, or one of the few, places or groups where you can have true success, or “we” are the only people doing things ‘right’, or thinking the ‘right way’. Now, is there necessarily anything wrong with thinking or believing that what you’re doing is right? No…But here’s where it gets manipulative. When the people in these groups use this argument to coerce you into joining or to try to keep you from leaving the group…that’s when exclusivity becomes manipulative.
Question to ask yourself: “Is this really the only place that has the corner market on truth?”
There are definitely some nuances to this tactic, so I’d encourage you to go back and check it out in Episode 51.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Crazy Thinkers…a way for you and your family to learn & practice the skills of good thinking with other families using real-life examples. This is actually my membership that opens tomorrow! The whole reason I created Crazy Thinkers is b/c you, my awesome listeners, asked for it! See, it’s one thing to listen to a 5-minute podcast on a particular fallacy…but it’s a whole ‘nother thing to actually learn that fallacy and be able to recognize it and think through what’s being communicated and actually applying the skills. Crazy Thinkers is designed to do just that. If you’re on my email list, you’ve already got the details & an invitation to become a Founding Member, for everyone else, I’ll fill you in on everything in tomorrow’s episode, so tune in tomorrow when I’ll be giving you 3 practical steps to Crazy Good Thinking and I’ll tell you all about Crazy Thinkers & how you can join!
Ok, let’s dive into today’s topic, which is called Card Stacking. Card Stacking is actually a propaganda technique where certain information is either selectively shared or omitted in order to create a biased view of a topic. People use this technique to make the best possible case for their side and the worst possible case for the opposing side by carefully only using the facts that support their side of the argument while trying to get the audience to accept those facts as a conclusion. They are stacking the cards in their favor. This term comes from skilled & crafty card players who know how to stack a deck of cards in their favor even as they’re shuffling the cards. This technique is sometimes called Selective Omission.
One example of this is in advertising. If a company is making some food product that has lots of sugar in it, they’ll sometimes say, “It’s low in fat!”. So, by pointing out the “benefit” and omitting the downside, they’re stacking the deck to make that product look & sound good.
Another place this happens is, of course, in politics. Have you ever noticed around election time, you’ll get a bunch of political fliers in the mail. And when a candidate is running for re-election, there’s usually a list on their flier highlighting all the things they did that they consider to be wins. But nowhere on the list are their failures, the bills they sponsored that got killed or the unpopular legislation they voted for that they don’t want anyone to know about. Of course, to get re-elected, they’re highlighting the things that make them look good to their voters.
The problem with Card Stacking is that there’s always something being left out. Card Stacking is very difficult to detect b/c it never gives all the information necessary to make a decision…it only gives *some* information, and it’s usually biased information. The listener has to decide for themselves what’s missing. And quite frankly, most people are just plain too busy or too lazy to actually do that so they just take what’s being presented to them as the truth and never do any additional research.
Another example of Stacking the Deck happens with TV or magazine ads for pharmaceutical companies. I know you’ve seen these and probably laughed at them. These ads will show a happy person frolicking in the tall grass & meadows, while talking about how xyz drug will help cure the rash on their elbow & make their life practically perfect in every way. Then, at the very end in like 5 seconds, they’ll speed through the warning saying that the drug could make their arm fall off, give them diarrhea and they’ll grow a second head. Now, obviously, I’m exaggerating & making fun, but you know what I”m talking about! These ads are purposely playing up & emphasizing the good that they want you to see while purposely downplaying any real or potential negatives.
Question to ask yourself: “Are the facts being distorted or omitted? Can I find any other arguments to either support or refute these assertions?” *repeat*
Remember: When you learn HOW to think, you will no longer fall prey to those who are trying to tell you what THEY want you to think and it all starts with asking one simple question: “Is that really true?”
