Q: Skills for Success: Listening and Speaking 5: Unit 3 Listening 2 Caught Off Guard p.67-73

 (Supplementary Materials for Specific Textbooks--Q: Skills for Success: Listening and Speaking 5)

Google drive HERE
Lead-in: slides, pub
Board Race for Vocabulary: slides, pub
90 Second Listening: docs, pub

1. Who was Sun Tzu?

2. Sun Tzu gives 4 examples of his principle that all warfare is based on deception.  What are they?

3. Where did the class post their responses?

4. The professor choses 3 examples from the class responses to talk about more in depth.  How is deception used in each of these examples?

In nature:

In our everyday lives:

In advertising:

5. Why do all of these actions work?

Professor Steed: Last week I posted the following quotation by Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese general: “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.” I was pleased with the responses on our class website and I have chosen three of the examples you found in your research to talk about more in depth today. So, let’s get started.

 

As you all know, deception is the art of making others hear, see, or believe something which is intended to mislead them and give us an advantage. Let me explain. In nature, animals use color changes or sound mimicry to distract or confuse predators. In contrast, in our everyday lives, the use of makeup and clothes helps humans attract attention. In advertising, companies often package small items in big boxes or use bright colors to enhance dull products in order to attract consumers.

 

Do all of these actions work because it is so easy to manipulate others? As most of you agreed, the answer is yes. And that leads us to our discussion topic today.