To catch a bass, it might be said, one angers it. Flash bright lights where it is lounging. Or make water-noise. Of course the actual matter is more complex.

But there’s a lure that works similarly in the domains of thought and awareness, consciousness and attention. In fact, it can largely capture all of them at once. The way the gambit works is by presenting an image or situation that inclines one’s entire mind and being to collapse toward … some particular expression. Similar to the bass, noise… flashing lights… anger… frustration… fear… the unknown… any number of these and similar mechanisms are employed to ‘form an intention’ in those subjected to the lure.

Awareness of the lure is a start, but in a situation where it continues to appear in newer and more advanced forms, not to mention inventing new contexts to appear in…

One can notice, however, the moment that the triggers begin to reply to the stimuli. There’s a sort of inward directionality that is wrong… off. And then, slowly, we can learn to detect the lure and its components. And realize that the reactions and feelings we were being effectively puppeted into…

… were mimicking something astonishing. Something we remember. Something we’re made of. Something we can become… with and for each other and the living world.

After that the lures don’t work.