Using Emotion

We often try to capture an emotional response - something our audience just can't ignore because it's so, so emotionally compelling, engaging, or poignant.

But we just don't get to make someone feel something... anything. 

No matter how important, significant, heart-rending, or pitiful something seems to us, that's us... not them.

Yes, it is possible to manipulate emotions - often through understanding what's earning an emotional reaction today or because we know someone's reaction already. Sometimes they're called triggers, sometimes just what's in the news.

But knowing what will work isn't the same as believing what we think is emotionally engaging is emotionally engaging. And knowing isn't the same thing as manipulating.

And it's up to us know the difference.

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