Think so?
I don't.
"Influence" is a funny thing. Easily misused & abused and especially these days; whatwith, all the ego maniacs & fruits running amok?
Yup, "influence" all too quickly morphs into "control" for most people, has actually come to *mean* "control" in another odd distortion of our language.
Whether you realize it or not, "control" is something I will shun at all costs & for a variety of reasons.
The fact [it] alters the very *personality* of the people I enjoy most, notwithstanding.
So you see, I've *no* "influence" over Mudboy -- or anyone else -- that I'd be aware of, or want.
Mudboy's his own man (as are you, sultan, Mr.A.), & as such he thinks for himself.
I happen to feel he does so rather well, as a matter of fact.
I'd dare say what you're really seeing, then?
"Is" Mudboy; believe it or not.
...& that's how it should be.
Influence...perhaps a better word is guidance.
The wind influences a sailboat, but the rudder controls it.
A person who shuns control is the best teacher of all, imo.
There are a lot of young sailboats out there, and the winds of influence do control them. They just need folks (like you, perfessor) to show them how to use a rudder.
FRegards
Yer correct to shun the desire to "control" folks...it's a major goal in my life to avoid "controlling" folks, 'cuz then you become responsible for their actions. However, I believe we are "influenced" by everyone we encounter, to one degree or another, as we "influence" everyone we interact with, fer good or for bad.
FBD, Dru offers an insight and a severe directness that influences me immeasurably...he don't sugarcoat stuff, and most of his sincere criticism is intended to be constructive, whether I heed said advice or not.
FReegards...MUD
BTW...as fer "influencing" folks, in '96 I was a huge ClintonBasher in the fall running up to the election and some of those I sought to "influence" into rejecting Clinton and voting fer bobdole told me they were gonna vote fer Clinton just to spite me and my cramitdownyerthroat 'tude...LOL!! I'm not sure if any of them followed thru on the threat, and Dole won the VA electoral votes comfortably, but I learned a valuable lesson about how my boisterous boosterism could work against me, and I've mellowed my approach to changing folks' hearts and minds considerably.