Disinterest Rates

I’m a hard sell, because I am a documentarian amongst salesmen.

They ask for a moment of my attention, yet I am hardly curious of their pitch.

I am looking for their incentive.

Do they have something they genuinely believe I need, or am I purely another cold call?

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Once, I answered an open interview invitation at an insurance agency I had never heard of. I pulled up to a building that looked exactly like you’re imaging when I use the term “cookie cutter corporate,” with the total absence of signage.

I walked into the lobby and signed in amongst a large group of people that seemed ready to seek opportunity, but the atmosphere was one of “this is everyone’s first time,” from my general assessment.

One by one, we were all pulled into an office for what turned out to be a pre-interview, which I noticed was more explaining the open position and its benefits than asking me about my experience or interest.

Afterward, all of us were invited into a conference room where we were given a long presentation by a charming professional who was clearly practiced at this. I saw the graphs on the screen about just how much growth a new rep could make in their first year on commission.

Then he explained, and downplayed, the responsibility of each prospect to pay for the course and licensing required to begin their new career.

Yes, I know you already see it, but stay with me.

I don’t remember what I asked, but I asked this representative a question that caught their attention. At the end of the presentation, everyone was thanked for coming and given instructions on how to follow-up. I was asked to stay for continued conversation.

This rep told me all about why he thought I, specifically, could be effective in this role. I was the chosen one, evidentally.

But I could not decide if I was being complimented, or targeted.

He felt like he was trying to sway me.

I was trying to discern what was real.

Shouldn’t I be trying to convince you why I am suited to this role?

Yes, if insurance was the product.

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Christian Van Linda, (@hype.r.vigilance on Instagram) is a favorite creator I follow; I have heard him use the phrase “psychological colonization” more than once now when speaking on manipulative behavioral patterns. It’s an excellent description of the slow, unconscious process of one person’s interpretation of events and reality itself influencing the perception of others. This subject is very relevant to so much of my writing, but it also inspired a phrase of my own.

Persuasion economy. What one gains from your buy-in of those ideas.

I am so supremely sensitive to it that I regularly deny you, dear reader, my entire conclusion on subjects because I will stop just shy of assuming entitlement to your perspective, even as I am aware I cannot eliminate bias entirely.

All I know how to do well is construct a case from observable evidence.

I am unwilling to ask you to make the check out to me.

And I am haunted to understand what the demand is really for.

So when a salesman and a documentarian walk into a bar, one of them offers to buy the other a drink.

And the other acquires a subject.

If you seem invested in making my day, you have activated my analysis.

Why mine?