(The latest version of this page is at Pattern Descriptions. An archived copy of this page is held at https://www.patternsofpower.org/edition02/4331.htm)
People can try to influence each other’s beliefs by talking face to face or by disseminating their views through the media, to persuade them to modify their values or to join a particular community. As the power of communications increases, particularly with the Internet, it is possible to extend the reach of such attempts to influence (though people can choose whether or not to receive most media).
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