Are people easily manipulated?

[SimonMac]

Will try and keep this sensible, I know its a big ask but here goes.

I have found recently that I have managed to steer conversation away from certain topics recently with relative ease, mainly by asking the original person a question about themselves and with two quick follow ups the topic never gets back to what they had originally asked.

Is this a sign that

A) They never really cared about the original train of thought
B) Most people are egotistical so get them talking about themselves and they will carry on doing so
C) I have become a master at mind control*
D) All of the above

*This is unlikely as the minds i "control" aren't very challenging to begin with.

[d000hg]

I like your avatar, did you make it yourself?

[shaunbhoy]

I like your avatar, did you make it yourself?

*This is unlikely as the minds i "control" aren't very challenging to begin with.

I make you right there Simon.

[SimonMac]

I make you right there Simon.

[TimberWolf]

There is no such thing as free will. Someone made me write that.

[MarillionFan]

Give me some +ve rep and I'll answer the question.

[Zippy]

I don't know. What do you think?

[PAH]

I have found recently that I have managed to steer conversation away from certain topics recently with relative ease

It's not manipulation, it's distraction.

I think it's a trait of the human brain where trains of thought can be sidelined and it's sometimes hard to backtrack up the line to remember where you were origininally heading.

How effective the distraction is depends on the importance of the two subjects. e.g. would someone flashing their boobs distract you from someone about to cut your throat?

[SimonMac]

Give me some +ve rep and I'll answer the question.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to MarillionFan again"

Sorry

[xoggoth]

Hmmm. Or some just like an online argument whatever the topic? Must everyone be driven or focused on everything?