Establishing a unified vision of what “graphic design” is

When it comes to establishing a unified vision of what “graphic design” is, there are certainly both similarities and differences within these readings. What are some common threads that you notice between some of the readings? Be specific. Were there things in these readings that surprised you or made you think differently about what “graphic design” is or can be? What is the role of manipulation (or deception) in graphic design and how are Flusser’s and Van Toorn’s critiques similar?