Chapter 1: The Price of Deception

The interplay between commerce and manipulation has existed as long as trade itself. Marketers often set prices that exceed the actual value of goods. In the realm of online shopping, this tactic reaches absurd levels, with certain services advertised at inflated prices, only to be discounted significantly if we rush to purchase without consideration. This strategy, known as price anchoring, is not new; it has evolved from street vendors enticing customers to job applicants negotiating salaries.

Demagogues also adeptly utilize similar strategies. In our struggle to navigate the overwhelming flow of information in today’s society, it becomes easy to fall prey to those who manipulate facts for their gain. By referencing undeniable truths, they advocate for specific agendas that lack substantiation. For instance, they may express alarm over rising crime rates while simultaneously pushing a controversial stance on immigration, cloaked in inflammatory rhetoric.

Art and science frequently offer a refuge from such duplicity. A musician who claims mastery of an instrument they’ve never played is merely a jam session away from tarnishing their reputation. Likewise, a programmer lacking coding skills will be exposed before their first team meeting. Fields that depend on accuracy are often resistant to such superficial trickery: the results speak for themselves, whether in musical harmony or logical programming.

In software engineering, various automated systems can identify potential coding problems before updates affect the application. These systems are indifferent to our justifications; if the code doesn’t meet standards, it is rejected outright. Presently, we are captivated by advancements in artificial intelligence. Interestingly, the accompanying image was created by a machine. We have become adept at crafting tools that can generate or refine content from our inputs. Perhaps our future efforts should focus on eliminating invalid outputs.

As a visionary, I envision a dispassionate voice interrupting a politician mid-speech during a discriminatory tirade: “An automated analysis of the claims presented has determined they are founded on inaccuracies and articulated through flawed reasoning.” Following this, a trapdoor opens, and [censored material].

While precision isn’t always necessary—love, for example, is anything but precise—when we do require it, we demand nothing less. Certainly, we should not settle for charlatans.

Written while listening to ‘Recomposed By Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons’ by Max Richter & Daniel Hope & Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin & Andre de Ridder.

Thank you for your readership! Your support is greatly valued.

Who am I, you may wonder?

I am a musician who crafts words and a writer who composes melodies. You can explore my universe here.

Section 1.1: The Influence of Price Anchoring

Price anchoring plays a crucial role in consumer behavior, particularly in online platforms where perception can be easily manipulated.

Subsection 1.1.1: Visual Representation of Price Manipulation

Chapter 2: The Precision of Arts and Sciences

In disciplines that emphasize precision, such as music and programming, the truth of one’s abilities becomes apparent, leaving little room for deception.