Are you brainwashed?

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by jimhcom

Do you feel people have any clue how brainwashed they really are? There is a considerable amount of brainwashing going on, and at a higher level than you may realize. The purpose of this is to control the thoughts and habits of people in order to maximise the money which can be made off of them. To create a cycle of indebtedness which benifits several very powerful groups. The media is a powerful tool when used by experts to modify thoughts and behavior. Why do you think the media is now almost entirely owned by corporate interests? Used properly, the media can control everything from elections to spending habits. I believe it has been very effective in transforming the greatist country in the world into a nation of debt slaves.

I've seen this type of sentiment posted and discussed in a lot of places and forums. Frankly, I don't buy it. I think folks have free will and independent thought.

Now as to the logic, rationality and criticality of those thoughts...

[Travelling fella]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

I've seen this type of sentiment posted and discussed in a lot of places and forums. Frankly, I don't buy it. I think folks have free will and independent thought.

Now as to the logic, rationality and criticality of those thoughts...

That is veeeery true NewToCA, but honestly how many people do follow their intuition? how many people do really follow their dreams? most people just do what society or media tell them it's the right thing to do because they don't know they can think for themselves, most human beings don't even know what the true purpose of life is, so it is easy to be fooled into thinking that getting rich or becoming a collector of material things that you'll have to leave when you die is what you are supposed to do with the time you have here.

[AnthonyB]

Or some people could be brainwashed into believing that everyone else is brainwashed and only they hold the REAL truth......

[Tricky D]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

Or some people could be brainwashed into believing that everyone else is brainwashed and only they hold the REAL truth......

Why do you think Mulder keeps telling us over and over again that the truth is out there?

[SouthernBelle3]

Originally Posted by jimhcom

Do you feel people have any clue how brainwashed they really are? There is a considerable amount of brainwashing going on, and at a higher level than you may realize. The purpose of this is to control the thoughts and habits of people in order to maximise the money which can be made off of them. To create a cycle of indebtedness which benifits several very powerful groups. The media is a powerful tool when used by experts to modify thoughts and behavior. Why do you think the media is now almost entirely owned by corporate interests? Used properly, the media can control everything from elections to spending habits. I believe it has been very effective in transforming the greatist country in the world into a nation of debt slaves.

Are we brainwashed? No
Are we suckers? Yes

[Tricky D]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle3

Are we brainwashed? No
Are we suckers? Yes

Aren't suckers the easiest ones to brainwash or control?

[John23]

Has anyone read the book "Influence" by Robert Cialdini?

Very eye opening, profound book. The reviews on amazon can better describe it than I can.

"Brainwash" might be too strong of a word. In North Korea they might be brainwashed. We have a very high standard of living.

But we're definitely "influenced" with much of it being subconscious, that you aren't aware of.

[tallrick]

People are like animals, very predictable. You can push and pull at a stubborn animal, but place a piece of food in front of one and it moves under its own power. Then you can slap a collar on the beast and begin the training process. How do you control humans? Use their stomach or their sex drive. Most people are too preocupied to bother trying to analyze the world around them. We have become slaves to a fiat currency structure, and gave our freedoms to Government for "our own good". Licenses are the tools to control the media. Can any of us set up our own radio or TV station? Government says NO! Ever tried to get the media to help you get the word out about your problems? They will not do what you want. People have limited sources of information, unless they are internet savy or willing to dig into obscure books and articles. The media uses distractions like sports, and celebrities to keep people from digging deeper into the WHY of our problems. As long as they are eating well and getting laid, what do they care?

[Tricky D]

Originally Posted by tallrick

People are like animals,

People ARE animals who believe that they are not an animal because they are intelligent.
Modern people, like their stone-aged ancestors, are still herd animals. This is why people are so easy to manipulate.
Especially when you believe that you are not easily manipulated.

[katie45]

Too many people are not self-confident or secure enough with who they are to take the risk of appearing or acting "different" from the general population if they don't follow the latest fads and follow the masses. And these are the personalities advertisers count on to increase their profits because peer pressure is not reserved just for the young...it continues throughout the entire life of many people.

Sadly, with so many sheep, those who do not choose to follow the crowd are often labeled "different" and looked upon as weird.

Since the majority of the population are followers, this is what keeps advertisers in the black. Followers are easily convinced that it is necessary for them to buy the latest fasions, most popular car, large-screen TVs, high tech electronics, etc., etc.

It is not brainwashing, it is the fear of not "fitting in" and/or "looking different" that advertisers bank on.