BRAINWASHING: A Synthesis of the Soviet Textbook on Psychopolitics

[charlietwo]

http://fhu.com/brainwashing_book.html

This is from the Communist Manual of Instructions of Psychopolitical Warfare, and after a few pages, it's hard not to see the degree in which this is present in modern life. Could just be more 'tin-foil' hat stuff, but I respectfully disagree. Long read, but well worth it. Certain aspects of this are terrifying, simply put. I would love to hear what you all think about it.

[nmap]

It's an interesting book - I hope to give it a thorough read.

Along the same line, you might find: Propaganda by Edward Bernays of interest. It originally came out in 1928.

Language in Thought and Action by S. I. Hayakawa is superb. It discusses how words can be used to change nuances of meaning.

And speaking of tinfoil hats...I don't know how much has been heard about Neurolinguistic programming (NLP), but the trivially small part I've played with has been intriguing. I came across the link below to a PDF that suggests Obama is using the techniques to manipulate crowds. Example:

Sample:

How Ericksonian “linking statements” mimic the way the brain accepts information
After pacing you repeatedly in multiple ways and on multiple levels as described above, and thus lowering
your cognitive critical factor defenses, the hypnotist will implant a “lead” - the command or absolute
unquestionable truth he places in your subconscious. Essentially, the pace or truth is connected to the new
hypnotic message or “lead” using connecting or linking language. Paces are connected to the lead through
the use of the linking words including “and”, “as”, and “because” or “that is why.”59 The latter linking
words each being increasingly more powerful than the former, especially the ones containing an element of
causation, because causation mirrors the way the subconscious mind accepts information.

Saying, for one example: “We need change...and...that is why I will be your next President.” is a basic pace
and lead. No person can disagree with “we need change.” Change is inevitable anyway, certainly when
problems exist. However, the fact that change will happen, or that we need change, has absolutely nothing
to do with being a valid reason why the choice for President should be none other than Barack Obama.

LINK

[Box]

Nothing is really beyond the realm of "tin foil hat" any more.... How many times throughout the course of human events has someone said "you're just being silly that would never happen"

everything is possible if society looks the other way or fails to stand up and "notice" that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

My tin fol hat is one of my favorite items of clothing.

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by nmap

And speaking of tinfoil hats...I don't know how much has been heard about Neurolinguistic programming (NLP), but the trivially small part I've played with has been intriguing. I came across the link below to a PDF that suggests Obama is using the techniques to manipulate crowds.

Good article, especially on the legality aspects. NLP is used a lot in motivational speaking, just as NAC (neuro associative conditioning) that Tony Robbins talked alot about and preached by. IIRC, WM-Sir also mentioned/used NLP/NAC in "Get Selected." I used them too in class debates on ethical issues.

IMHO, it's definitely not tinfoil hats. This may be wishful thinking, but I figure each person is responsible to critically think. Millions of commercials use the above techniques all the time to separate a person from his hard-earned cash for a lousy product. If he falls for it, well it's on him. All kinds of people cheat/use others if they can. So it may be hard to establish the legal grounds for why Obama's use of those techniques is wrong.