> On Wed, 25 Jun 1997, Richard Brodie wrote:
> > I'm not convinced that giving my work away is an effective way to spread
> > memes. Read Cialdini.
>
> Availability/accessibility _isn't_ essential to the transmission of a meme?
>
> *What is this errant bullshit!* You must be kidding, right? And if you're
> not, Richard, please explain why making memes accessible isn't conducive
> to their distribution in the memesphere.
>
> BTW, I've never heard of Cialdini, but I have heard of Calvin's work. How
> does that square with your "effective ways to spread memes." (Or are we
> really talking "effective" ways to sell books, Richard?)
>
> Your secret admirer-
> -Prof. Tim
Cialdini wrote _Influence; the Psychology of Persuasion_. It is a quick
and unnerving read. Persuasion professionals such as salespeople and
speechwriters know these subtleties of the human mind, and how to use them
to gain our compliance, and it behooves the rest of us to know them too.
_Influence_ is a hot title at Amazon.com, which means it's 40% off. I
gave it a 9 out of 10 in my review on their website, shorting it only
because I'm not sure the recommended defense mechanisms are sufficient.
And I don't believe Richard said he advocated keeping the content of his
book inaccessible. Like Cialdini's book, it's available from Amazon at a
discount, which is as accessible as it gets for anyone who can read this
mailing list.
Eva,
who is going to spend part of today telling people she's an experienced
word processor. Perhaps it's even true.