Control, as I’ll name it here, and in the context of the human, is influence without regard for will. Influence is effect on human thought or deed.

Without the need of any expertise, though I am of course an expert, I’ll add that being controlled is universally abhorred by the human species,  so much so that we may violently reject it. And of influence, it seems commonly tolerated, I suspect for its lack of mandate.

So our baseline is complete. People hate control, and don’t mind influence… (think that again)

But we find this truism wanting, when thought on, as how can control be so completely reviled while being so completely partaken, and so many of our expectations contingent on controlling the will of others?

Does influence lead to control? Does control enhance influence? Are influence and control truly parted? Do we even recognize our controls? When is control an absolute necessity, and where is the line? What are the motives for controlling and submitting to control? Is influence acceptable?

Might we consider for ourselves in our regular judgments and interactions, being mindful of the apparent separation of influence and control, respecting the sovereign will of ourselves and themselves, whether or when are we driving or driven by the machineries of control.

~tdv