Anyone who goes to class to be taught by a teacher is consenting to having their mind changed. This is not influence which is something subtle and without the consent of the student.

A customer walking into a store looking for a particular product has a right to expect the sales person to explain the specs of the product. What the sales person does not have is the right to try and 'establish a relationship' in order to make the customer like him/her, so that the person is more easily influenced to buy.

No, I did not provide those qualifying details initially. I would have thought that they would have been extrapolated from what I said.

In my opinion, all attempts to influence another is malicious, and sales is universally unethical, because all sales people attempt to influence clients. It is the salesman's opinion that the client is better off.

I was in sales for 10 years. I did better than most - being the top sales person in numerous companies. You know why? I always told them the absolute truth. Many would not buy once I informed them of the facts, but they would come back to me a year or two later.

"Also, reflecting on our conversation, a lot of responsibility rests at the one writing ethically and the one on the receiving end critically assessing the input."

Indeed. The major reason I won't touch content writing (commercial writing) is I refuse point blank to promote any commercial product. I have a strong following, precisely because I reference whatever I write using accredited sources.

From time to time, when readers come to me, and it is clear that they are accepting what I say at face value, I point out that it is better to look at other sources.

I don't think we will agree on this. I can see that you're in the business of influencing others, and that is why it is important for you to believe it's a good thing.