“In order to manipulate people, you don’t keep it simple, you keep them simple. This is accomplished in an astonishing array of methods, from those involving overt or covert assertions or suggestions, to those depending on LCD (least common denominator) contagion and intelligence assault.

Foremost amongst the online arsenal (emphasis on the arse) is the aggrandized quote. This is often the grossly mistranslated, misinterpreted, or misappropriated distortion of something that once had context and meaning, but is now used like a hammer against the creativity, intelligence, and more delicate underpinnings of insight in the recipients.

In general, these devices are hypnotic, and they utilize induction techniques, particularly the presentation of wisdom, authority, deep understanding and insight as distant, something you get from a leader or teacher (that is, a master, that is, a dominating authority ‘over’ you) or ‘specialist’. The result is not the catalyzation or transmission of wisdom. The result is parasitic.

Quotes taken out of context, or written to discard it, presented in little frames or compelling images are most often cognitively and relationally toxic. They do not accomplish what they portend, but rather, like corrupt politicians, curry human attention, favor, and activity -away- from anything that might challenge their monumental domination of the entire stream of communication.

Memes are not the friend of your intelligence. They want it replaced. They want it owned. They want it reforged in their image. In order to manipulate people, you don’t keep it simple.

You keep them simple.

Stop copying parasites. Learn to think, communicate, and act as if your mind, those of your friends and family, and those of the human species at large was more than a spectating idiot awaiting the next copy of overtaxed garbage that the popularity machine spits out.”

— an anonymous informant