Operation Warp Speed: Moolah Edition - Money Magnet 5.11G

[Shannon]

I would adjust your definition slightly to this:

"An intentional distortion of how others perceive the situation, great enough to lead a reasonable person into making a different decision from what they would have taken without the distortion, which in some way benefits the person committing the distorting of perception in the other person or people."

However, remember that while there is a lot of manipulation that goes on, not all of it is bad. Parents often shape their children's beliefs in order to prevent hose children from coming to harm, for example. Beware of justifying actions which are negative, especially through the commission of black and white thinking. Just because others do something negative does not mean you should. It will damage your self esteem and self respect to follow that path.

As for the age difference... if all parties are legally adults and they are all consenting, then any objections are irrelevant intrusion into the relationship, typically moral grandstanding, and of course, attempts at manipulation.