Forum Post: Deprogramming America
Posted 11 years ago on Jan. 5, 2013, 2:25 a.m. EST by jrhirsch
(4714)
from Sun City, CA
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Does anyone here have any experience in deprogramming used by experts on religious cults like the moonies or scientologists, or has been a member of a cult? After talking to dozens of people about their views on politics, economics, and patriotism, I can't help but come to the conclusion that Americans as a group are as brainwashed as any religious cult member. It's the only thing that makes any sense as to why after Occupy's message has been widely proclaimed, the corruption and the theft, people still fail to grasp it or take any action in significant numbers.
It begins in the public school system, where we are told over and over to sit down and shut up all day. And we are even threatened with violence if we do not obey. We are indoctrinated from a very early age to become submissive and obedient and to never question authority. We are discouraged from critical thinking and encouraged to believe everything we are told. We are taught a censored, rich-white-man's capitalist point of view of History and forced to "Pledge Allegiance" to the flag every day. After 12 years of being treated like prisoners, many of us are so totally disgusted with school by then that we never go on to college.
Combine that with spending most of our free time being dumbed down by television and there you have it...an entire anti-intellectual, subserviant and brainwashed culture.
"We need a Movement to Get Money Out Of The Mainstream Media." http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-need-a-movement-to-get-money-out-of-the-mainstr/
Re. "Deprogramming America", cross linking to these two threads :
http://occupywallst.org/forum/information-update-on-fbi-provocateur-issue-please/ &
http://occupywallst.org/forum/congressmen-seek-to-lift-propaganda-ban-by-by-mich/ .
fiat lux ...
This is a very important point you are making and one we should take seriously. Mere education may not be enough. Of course, we should not ever stop shedding a light on all of these serious issues and trying to educate, but perhaps there is more we can do. How do we reach people who have a nationalistic spirit that is completely blind to the state of affairs of the nation?
Oh yes action is being taken. I also have come to same sort of conclusion. Language which is composed of ideas/words has indeed been corrupted. Loose lips made this. Great importance in tending ones words because it is indeed the world we make. One thing that for me works is to put all statements to the positive yes yes. We can do and shall be what we choose to speak of. The only way for all people is to follow heart or follow chem trail all the way(jokes)
I've done some reading on the subject. It certainly was proven in the House Intelligence Committee hearings in the 1970's that the CIA was pursuing brainwashing programs such as MKUltra--these were shut down officially as a result of the publicity, but who knows unofficially as the CIA (and other government agencies, such as the NSA) operate on a clandestine basis? Also, I've wondered all my life why my generation/age group (mid/late baby boomers) took such a sharp right turn socially and politically in the 1970's and 1980's--it certainly served the purposes of the "1%" at that time. Was it possible this was no accident--driven by a mass brainwashing program? There are some so-called "conspiracy theorists" who have suggested this (main catalyst was subliminal/overt programming through the advertising and mass media industries). Just on a personal level, I see many people my age that seem to be driven by a sort of recorder in the mind dictating what are the right things to say and do in a situation. An example, especially among men, seems to be a complete and thorough alienation from government involvement with anything, even the most basic services, and a resistance to any form of taxation--it is certainly true people my age have been the core of opposition to any tax increase, even to the most wealthy in the recent "Fiscal Cliff" negotiations.
People are scared of the government. Real civil disobedience often leads to arrest or worse, like what was seen with Occupy Oakland and with the evictions. Most people don't want to go through that.
That and apathy.
Others think they can vote for it basing their choice on who's on tv and who is heavily funded and advertised... and those people were the ones flashing Obama and Romney signs and pushing corporate controlled mainstream talking points. They play party politics instead of attacking the corporate control.
Even the pejorative use of the word "brainwash" is thought conditioning. Originally it meant to cleanse the mind of behavioural training that enthralled citizens of plutocracies. But the plutocrats coopted the word and turned it on their adversaries, the communists and socialists.
Yes, the answer is, our thought has been conditioned by advertisers and the politicians and teachers they own, along with our parents, some of whom began to notice as early as the late 19th century. Eric Blair wrote 1984 in 1934, though it wasn't published until 1949. It's clear from other Orwell books, like "Keep the Aspidistra Flying," that he saw the destructive corporate culture for what it was a long time before most.
Befor there was Sam Clemens, who made cutting jokes about it.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/free-democracy-amendment/#comment-902070
Occupy's message.. Leaderless Anarchism..
I'm surprised it didn't take ..
The message pointing out the intertwined corruption in our economic and political systems didn't take, it was swept under the carpet. When the economy crashes again because of the same reckless policies that led to the first financial collapse, and people are really hurting, real change will happen.
The economy is in a "recession.. it's a recess.. prior to this the economy was "booming " grerat wealth all around .. record breaking profits .. There was huge optimism for the future .. Everyone was happy.. and prior to that , our good government lowered a few regulations allowing it easier for home buyers .. things were good ..oh so good.. and now a little recession .. we need a recess .. it has been so busy .. everyone is tired .. really really tired ..
A recession? Can you name a recent recession where major banks were bailed out worldwide? Interest rates near zero percent?
It was long over due ..