A whirlwind of romance that felt too good to be true. A love so intense, so passionate that it swept you off your feet and left you breathless. But beneath all the lust and admiration, lies a dark truth–love bombing. The heartbreak of this dangerous allure, manipulative tactic used to gain control and power in relationships by ghosting someone after making them fall intensely in love. Thus, leading the victim to feel conflicted and obsessed.

Many individuals have experienced love bombing whether they noticed it or not. Love bombing doesn’t have to feel like you’ve met your soulmate, it might just feel like a small spark of connection with someone. Someone who’s on the other end of the line. The Mojave phone booth is a phone booth in the Mojave desert where people would call the line to seek adventure, using it as a means to connect with strangers and share stories, while others were drawn to its remote location. This booth might just seem like a regular phone booth, but for Godfrey Daniels, it was like a drug. According to Godfrey, “I was just imagining making a phone ring out where presumably no one could hear it except the coyotes. But then there was also in the back of your mind, the thought – what if? Like, what if somebody is wandering by? Who would be out there? Who would pick up?” The hour-long connections he created with thousands on the other end of the line felt genuine at that moment, but once the call ended, he was left longing for more. Just like the idea of love bombing, Godfrey was captivated by the connections he was able to make in such a short amount of time. The results of love bombing by the Mojave phone booth left Godfrey obsessed, similarly to those who have experienced love bombing by someone they loved. 

Victims of love bombing often don’t realize that they’re getting manipulated because of how blind love makes you. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, there are instances where Iago uses love bombing tactics to manipulate Othello. Iago, driven by his malicious intentions, showers Othello with praise, admiration, and loyalty, all while scheming to ruin his marriage. When Iago tells Othello, “I am your own forever” (Act 3, Scene 3), Iago creates a sense of trust and loyalty towards Othello. Once Othello lets down his guard, Iago escalates problems by using Othello’s leadership role to his advantage. This allows Iago to prey on Othello’s vulnerability and manipulate his course of actions, ultimately leading to the death of his beloved wife and Othello wondering where he went wrong. The connection between the destructive power of manipulation and the tragic downfall of Othello serves as a powerful reminder of the deceptive tactics of love bombing.

In love bombing, spotting a manipulator may be difficult, however, manipulators frequently exhibit certain patterns of behavior. Similar to the manipulators in love bombing, the Dunning-Kruger effect involves individuals overestimating their abilities and knowledge. Manipulators in both tactics often portray themselves as knowledgeable, innocent, and perfect partners. This perception that their victims have of them allows manipulators to maintain control and power over their victims, perpetuating the cycle of love bombing. The parallels of the egotistical personalities between these manipulators of love bombing and the Dunder-Kruger effect often lead their victims to toxic relationships and hurt them psychologically. 

In conclusion, love bombing is a manipulative tactic used to gain control and power over their victims. It describes a situation of excessive flattery and constant attention. Love bombing is a serious issue with many individuals who aren’t even aware they use it and others who gain your trust just to deceive it. Although some individuals might not notice that they are love-bombing others, there are red flags and signs to look out for before fully committing to that relationship. The Mojave Phone booth, Othello, and the Dunning Kruger effect are reminders of the results of love-bombing and that healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, trust, and genuine care.