POSTED 13 AUGUST, 2009

Exploiting Human Nature

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

In reading a recent obituary of a renowned playwright and novelist of the Twentieth Century, I was struck by the profundity of a closing quotation about how he wanted to be remembered:

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who used their ability as a novelist or as a dramatist to say the things he felt needed to be said about the society” while being “as entertaining as possible,” he said in the 2006 interview. “Because if you don’t entertain,” he said, “nobody’s listening.”
Tim Weiner, “Budd Schulberg, ‘On the Waterfront’ Writer, Dies at 95″
06 August, 2009 edition of the New York Times

This man obviously understood human nature and the tendency for minds and hearts to be engaged in a subject matter primarily when individuals are stimulated by an “entertaining” approach. If you are not able to get people to listen to the dialogue of the play or read the words of the novel, you are not going to impact your society.

In the deceased man’s profession, he wrote plays and novels that communicated critiques of societal ills, recognizing that in order to make his revealing points palatable, he needed to subtly feed them to audiences in compelling doses. Casting light on the darkness of human depravity takes skill and is best achieved when the target is unguarded and unknowingly open to an indirect reprimand. Entertainment’s ability to enrapture listeners is why great American story tellers like Mark Twain and Will Rogers were able to write and/or speak to their respective generations, in ways that made people think deeply about societal issues ranging from slavery to government abuses.

In the modern information age, with the advent of radio, television—and now the Internet with YouTube and social networking websites proliferating (not to mention the growing mobile Internet bonanza)—similar rules of thumb apply to impacting a culture. The increasing challenge for those desiring to change society is to get people to focus on their message. Information is now being coupled with entertainment, developing the “infotainment” models of communicating bits and pieces of knowledge, to the attention deficit beleaguered hungering masses. The key for most of these purveyors of bite size information is to disseminate the news or opinion of the news in a fast-paced, entertaining way. This method must allow for income generating advertisements, either invading every six minutes, or incessantly flashing or popping up on the screen of your computer monitor.

One wonders if these technologically enhanced communiqués (sound bites, speaking points, editorials, opinion articles) will have the impact on society that a two to three hour play—interrupted only by a solemn, thought provoking intermission—had in previous eras. Similarly, can you remember when a lengthy read of a novel, undisturbed by obsessing distractions about inane topics, actually moved you to reconsider your opinion on a given subject? I certainly can, and perhaps that is why the adage that the pen is mightier than the sword is apropos—when it comes to peaceably moving societies in new and different directions.

On the other hand, is it possible that market-tested sound bites, developed by those seeking to influence or control society, have knowingly created internal indigestion and angst in the public arena? Hearts and minds do frequently get bounced from one extreme to another. Is there a reason for this madness? Certainly, understanding human nature and exploiting its proclivities are key to influencing or controlling any society.

When ostensibly competing media sources generate anxiety in a culture, people will innately react with a natural tendency to want some stability in their life. The discomforting feeling of unrest in the soul, screams for the mental escape of a novel, or perhaps a night at the play, or even movies (a play captured on celluloid). Many thinking people will do something to avoid what appears to be a world out of control, and a good read or a night on the couch watching the television “plays,” works for most.

With all of that being said, imagine a political leader writing a book that was part autobiographical, and somewhat philosophical—with the knowledge that cleverly written words with some entertainment value, can actually move people to accept or at least consider his or her leadership (i.e., Hitler, Mao, Churchill, Kennedy, Bush, McCain, Obama). Historically, politicians have generally written their autobiographical or political philosophy books in the years just prior to their attempts to gain or enhance power. In this day and age, the speaking tour, promoting the book, is a seemingly harmless commercial approach to getting their message out. With the growth of cable news and radio talk shows vying for material to fill their 24/7 broadcast requirements, these interviews work for both interviewer and interviewee.

What if an autobiography were so compelling, primarily because the life of the protagonist was so exotic, that people would be drawn to read it simply to understand a perspective that was so foreign to them? Is it possible that such a book, as an escaping read to quiet the soul, could actually communicate a solution to the turmoil raging in the hearts of those simply wanting a peaceful life? Of course, the solution, from the point of view of the protagonist, is to lead regular people out of the darkness of despair and into their peaceful light of understanding.

Take a minute to think about some of the great books you might have read down through the years, which may have profoundly impacted and perhaps changed your thinking on a particular subject. Whether it is Charles Dickens, Herman Melville, Sinclair Lewis, Joseph Conrad, Charles Darwin, or the Holy Bible—you know that the written word has made you think about topics ranging from societal conditions, to evolution, to the eternal destiny of a person. In one way or another, whenever one takes the time to ingest the written thoughts of another, or watch and listen to the actors performing a play or acting in a movie, the thoughts of the originator are being recorded in the mind of reader or listener. The impression communicated in words or actions may be greatly intensified by the entertaining aspects of the book or play. So, if the work is very entertaining and memorable, it will not only be partially committed to memory—but will perhaps be passed on, expanding and extending the life of the work.

In the past, society’s book and play critics wrote their critiques and comments on various works, and even developed sophisticated awards for attaching accolades to those writings. With positive comments from those respected in their literary fields, appreciated books and plays received much broader readership and/or attendance to the performances. Today, however, with the ability to simply forward attached articles to e-mails, the promotion of not only books and plays—but also various ideas or thoughts at relative lightning speed—is changing the dynamic of trusting only the respected critics.

Now, with time such a premium because of the plethora of information available at the click of a mouse, societies are being influenced by people who understand human nature. These are people who can get the most entertaining sound bites and thoughts out into the marketplace of ideas. The more entertaining, or let us say thought provoking, the idea or concept, the more chances the recipients will pass the information along to their respective circle of intimates. Demonstrations can be instigated (Iranian elections), or tax protests or healthcare protests can be coordinated simply by the ability to rapidly communicate with e-mails and cell phones. Now you know why people labor over the 140 characters for the most entertaining “tweets” to be passed along as text messages, instant messages, or online e-mails.

There is no doubt that those who want to influence and control society know that all of these technological advances are definitely changing the way people are getting their information—processing that information and making decisions. This is a far cry from going to the theater or relaxing with a novel. The reality is that “entertainment” could very well be the key component to growing followers, because it is so appealing to human nature. But what about igniting the spiritual side of humanity? Is there perhaps a different approach?

As a Bible teacher and exhorter trying to speak life into the souls who will listen, the basic principle of entertainment generating listeners was intriguing for me to contemplate—but not something we should emulate. When considering entertainment as a vehicle for enhancing popularity and thus willing listeners, I am reminded of a very serious admonition given by the Apostle Paul to his disciple Timothy in the waning days of his life. Consider this as not only Paul’s final instructions to his faithful colleague, but us as well. Also consider the contrast to an end of life interview as quoted above by the deceased playwright.

Understand that Paul was not interested in being remembered for his entertaining skills, but rather how his life was focused on directing people to Messiah Yeshua through his enlightened preaching and letter writing:

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Messiah Yeshua, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

Note that Paul warns Timothy that in the future, people will not endure sound doctrine. They will actually prefer to have their ears tickled, or entertained by teachers who will turn people away from the truth, speaking about fascinating myths or fables. Apparently, Paul was aware of this problem as he more explicitly warns another disciple, Titus about certain rebellious ones, who are empty talkers and who have turned away from the truth:

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers…who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain…They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed” (Titus 1:10, 16).

All who believe in Yeshua today are required to share the good news that has changed their lives! A life of faith is not about being an entertaining “empty talker,” but rather about being someone who can faithfully explain the basic doctrines of the Bible that are able to make us more like Him. While it certainly is beneficial if one can eloquently articulate the message, the fact remains that God’s truth does not need embellishment—being turned into an entertaining exercise. In fact, the gospel message is supposed to be an offense (Matthew 11:6; Luke 7:23; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8), or a stumbling block to people (1 Corinthians 1:21-25).

Preaching, teaching, or speaking about the Lord Yeshua is not about entertaining people, in order to gain audience approval and listeners. It is rather doing your part, as Yeshua promised that He would be lifted up, and draw all to Himself (John 12:32).

People with a nature—or even base nature—will always want to be entertained. The Scriptures teach that there is a distinction between those who are natural and those who are spiritual. The Apostle Paul instructed those in Corinth,

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Yeshua the Messiah and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him’ [Isaiah 64:4; 65:17]. For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? [Isaiah 40:13] But we have the mind of Messiah” (1 Corinthians 2:1-16).

Seek the Spirit of God, and pray that you be given the mind of Messiah. Recognize that receiving His power is far more entertaining than anything a human can muster! As you move on in life, you may want to ask yourself what you want to be remembered for as death approaches:

1.  Do you want to be remembered as someone who was entertaining, so as to be heard, in order to move (or manipulate) people according to what you perceived to be right?

2.  Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Paul, Timothy, Titus, and countless others who directed others to the saving gospel of Messiah Yeshua?

Friend, you need to have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit as He uses you in His master plan. It is an awesome privilege to be a part of His people—and yet a sober responsibility to bring the enlightened words of truth to the world. If we are all up to the challenges, then perhaps we will be able to replace the modern-day “infotainment” model, with the ancient tried and tested “infolightenment” model. This is a model that gains followers one heart at a time, according to the Lord’s perfect design.

Until the restoration of all things…

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.