Manifesting - the sensation that's taken the internet by storm. Believe in something, want it for long enough and it'll happen. But where has this come from?
Like most internet trends, we can find an explanation when we turn to the social sciences. Sociology outlines a theoretical perspective on "Latent & Manifest functions."
Manifest functions refer to the intended function of different aspects of society that are deliberately designed to have beneficial effects on society.
Manifest functions are decided by society as a whole and as a result can essentially be bent to according to the court of popular opinion.
The current trend of "manifesting" involves willing and wanting something, essentially the same and sending positive vibes into the world to influence an outcome.
Well, the obvious answer is, of course, not. How can wanting something change an outcome? But what happens when popular opinion takes over and manifest functions start to change."
Millions around the world wished and willed for Messi's final world cup to be triumphant, and it was. But there has been a lot of talk about referees being biased.
Now, this doesn't mean that you can will an outcome into existence, but it shows us that decisions we make in our life are influenced heavily by what we think the functions of society are.