The manipulation of our motivations has become a huge industry (eg the advertising industry).
Here are 12 ‘Archetypes’ (eg Motivations) which some advertisers use to persuade ’consumers’ to buy a product, service and/or idea : http://joannapenabickley.typepad.com/on/2007/06/on_the_12_arche.html
Advertisers deliberately target children, especially on Saturday morning TV, with pernicious techniques akin to a subtle form of child abuse – such techniques can literally ’rape the mind’.
Children of all ages – especially grown-ups – are also exposed to this – it’s called Brainwashing – and most so-called adults are pitifully unaware of the power of such propaganda.
It’s not just corporate trans-national corporations who are primarily responsible for the manipulation of our motivations – governments are at it too – especially when it comes to motivating people to hate (and/or fear) others, enough to go to war against them - and kill them.
Take a look at this, and see how many ‘motivation strings are being pulled’ – and by whom I wonder :
http://lilpoh.blogspot.com/2007/05/people-sleep-peaceably-in-their-beds-at.html
Tricky, tricky aren’t they?
There is also manipulation in schools, unfortunately. Many teachers dare to impart lessons of politics in accordance with their own inclinations, something which must be fought by responsible parents. Let alone moral and religious lectures which may not be which parents wish for their kids.
Laws should take this into consideration and proceed accordingly.