The article "Why Your Life Could Be Part of Someone Else's Game" by Tom Chatfield explores the idea of how our lives can be influenced by external forces, and how we can be manipulated by others in an effort to be part of their game. This article resonates with the universal themes of control, free will, and personal power. Elements of the course help us understand this article by giving us an understanding of how the media, technology, and the internet can be used to manipulate and control people’s lives. The “echo chamber” effect, for example, is a phenomenon where people are more likely to be exposed to ideas and views that are similar to their own, and this can lead to a limited worldview as well as making people more susceptible to manipulation. Hence, this article also brings to light the idea of how power dynamics can be used to control and manipulate people, and how easy it can be for …show more content…
The author states, "The rise of big data and targeted marketing has created a landscape in which individuals are constantly being manipulated and controlled by powerful entities" (Chatfield 3). This theme pertains not only to technology and social media, but also to politics and advertising. Understanding manipulation can assist people in recognising and resisting attempts to influence their behaviour without their permission. Another universal theme present in the article is the idea of "illusion vs reality." Chatfield states, "The echo chamber of the internet can lead to a distorted understanding of reality" (Chatfield 4). This theme of illusion versus reality is pertinent not only in the digital world, but also in other areas of society such as the workplace, politics, and daily life. Understanding this concept can enable people to become more aware of attempts to manipulate their perception of reality, allowing them to make more informed decisions and choices in their