I came across this interesting article by a circuitous route -- wandering through the halls of cyberspace. It wasn't even related to where I had been wandering previously.

I don't really know why I'm posting it here, except that I found it interesting and thought some of you might as well. It's way to long to copy here, so here is the link

Here is the beginning of it, so you can possibly judge whether you want to read it or not:

I'm going to talk about conversion, which is a nice word for brainwashing. Everything I'll share only exposes the surface of the problem. I don't know how the misuse of these techniques can be stopped other than through public awareness. It isn't possible to legislate against what often cannot be detected; and if those who legislate are using these techniques, there is little hope of affecting laws to govern usage.

In talking about mind manipulation, I am talking about my own business. I know it, and I know how effective it can be. I produce hypnosis and subliminal tapes and, in some of my seminars, I use conversion tactics to assist participants to become independent and self-sufficient. But, anytime I use these techniques, I point out that I am using them, and those attending have a choice to participate or not. They're also aware of the desired result of participation.

So, to begin, I want to share a basic fact about brainwashing: In the entire history of man, no one has ever been brainwashed and REALIZED OR BELIEVED that he had been brainwashed.

Those who have been brainwashed will usually passionately defend their manipulators, claiming they have simply been "shown the light" or have been transformed in miraculous ways.

I was particularly interested in the part about ELF, since my childhood hometown is within their sphere of influence.

Sometimes, I wonder if the computer has subliminal commands on it -- YOU MUST SPEND ALL YOUR WAKING HOURS IN FRONT OF THIS COMPUTER BECAUSE THERE IS ONE MORE INTERESTING FACT JUST A SCREEN AWAY -- that kind of thing. If so, I am breaking my brainwashing and going out of the house now! ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2002

Answers

I guess I'm safe. I think just about everyone is full of it, and lack the passions of most. :>)

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2002

Oh Joy, surely you're not serious! I went to the contents page and figured that the best thing I could do was close that window and hope no one saw me! If I've got JoJ and EM beating me up for trying to explain why the government needs to keep secrets then if I start expressing my views on organized religion, you'd have to kick me off and change the password. I'd have everyone after me. I don't want to put you through the trauma of changing the pass word. But thanks for teasing me!

Wildman, (abstaining)

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2002

Wildman, what? Not serious about what? That I thought it was interesting? Yes, I AM serious about that. I find MANY things (too many things!) interesting -- it's why I can't get away from the computer! I think I'm missing something in your post, but I am way too dull today to get it. I gotta go. Maybe it will make more sense to me later, and the light bulb will turn on.

If I had the willpower (I don't), I would not turn on the TV for six months and see if I lost weight or not. I'm sure there are subliminal messages (and not so subliminal) tell me to eat, eat, EAT! ;-) {you must watch TV, you must watch TV, you must watch TV, you must watch TV . . . . .}

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2002

Don't count on the no-TV diet, Joy. I've watched maybe 1 hour of TV a WEEK for the past 6 years or so - and in the same time period, I've put on 30#. Dang, they must be putting those subliminal messages in trashy novels!! Actually, I blame it on nursing school and then job - with the weird hours that I've kept over those past years; I know I don't eat right.

Since I use, and teach "conversion tactics" in my work; I'll not comment on them beyond saying that I DO believe that they are a useful tool, but like any tool; they are prone to being misused.

I think that Wildman was probably declining to get into another area where controversy could become acrimonious. Bless his little pea- picking heart! There's a full moon coming up, so I need to save my wits for the battles at work.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2002

Just remember, "There is no spoon."

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2002