Freedom is something we think we have, though none of us is as free as we believe.

We are subject to influence from all around us. Influence from those looking for more for themselves. More of what? Anything they can get their hands on – money, power, the usual. Being influenced by others can cause us to be less free. It can cause us to work against our own best interests.

Lies and misinformation can influence. So too can the truth of course. But to be influenced against our best interests it is usually because we don’t have the real picture in front of us. It has been altered in some way, or something has been added or taken away.

All influence gives us a direction to follow. In our interests or not.