Elections are shut? Democracy is at stake? How ought to we vote? Is it doable that we’re “brainwashed” or in any other case mentally manipulated to choose up a selected facet? To adhere to that one facet and staunchly stick with it, it doesn’t matter what?
We study quite a bit from metaphors, analogies, and fables. Welcome to the panorama of robots and synthetic intelligence (AI)… Can we acknowledge whether or not we’re coping with a human being or some AI machine? The reply is “probably not.” If you’re skeptical about this reply, take heed to well-made laptop speech. On the reverse facet, some individuals behave as robots.
If AI gadgets and robots will be programmed to behave like individuals, can individuals be programmed to behave like robots? If so, how does that occur? Well, it occurs by means of the software of thoughts manipulating methods. Yes, as examples for this writing, by means of cults, social media, and journalism (on the TV and elsewhere).
In the 60s of the previous century, in the pre-computer age, an individual was typically described as “the greatest machine ever made.” Computer instances introduced us “our brains are wired…” Both of these analogies are fashions to which we are able to relate. I provide one other one.
Computers have “{hardware}” — bodily elements — and “software program” — applications that allow and prohibit what a pc can and can’t do. Similarly, name a human physique a “biocomputer.” It has bodily elements — muscular tissues, the mind, the coronary heart, and so on — equal to the laptop {hardware}. The biocomputer additionally has “mentalware,” maybe referred to as a “thoughts,” functioning similar to laptop software program.
The query arising from the above mannequin is: Can the mentalware be “reprogramed,” modified, similar to the software program in the laptop? Based on the analysis achieved, documented, and verified by expertise, the reply is, “sure, it will possibly.” Applications of thoughts manipulating methods try this.
The reference for this topic that I want to share with you is the guide by Steven Hassan, titled “The Cult of Trump.” It is related to the upcoming elections. Considering the present occasions, it’s inconceivable to disregard the disturbing presence of the present U.S. citizen, Mr. FPOTUS (former President of the United States). Also, his cult of followers (“speaking to them is like speaking to a rock”). Are they thoughts managed?
What is a ”cult?” From the guide, “a small or slender circle of individuals united by devotion or allegiance to some creative or mental program, tendency, or determine.” Also, “cult leaders are sometimes motivated by three issues: energy, cash, and intercourse — in that order.”
The brainwashing methods — choose for your self whether or not they’re relevant to Mr. FPOTUS: 1) full management of data; something that doesn’t match is “pretend information,” 2) world in easy “us versus them,” 3) absolute adherence to the cult’s doctrine (see Liz Cheney’s “excommunication”), 4) cultists should use a brand new vocabulary (“deep state” and many others.), 5) solely those that belong have the proper to exist (“cling Mike Pence”).
As a observe to cults, how about hypnotism? If you didn’t see a manifestation of hypnotic states, please accomplish that. Up is down, left is correct — all OK with and for the hypnotized “topics.” Or, watch a rally with “lock her up” chants.
Now, social media and journalism! Yes, “life is the artwork of directing consideration.” This is what “algorithms” do. I have no idea how you’re feeling, however I don’t get pleasure from being “boxed in.” The designed-in algorithmic powers know higher than I do what I want to see and hear. Under the guise of “helpfulness” the time honored ideas of “buyer is all the time proper” and “deference to the person” are out of the window. Once you choose a channel, you can be fed that channel, with the ensuing exclusion of every part else. The algorithm “is aware of” you. Your free selection is gone.
Algorithmic dominance is mostly true throughout all computerized platforms. I’m certain you possibly can discern in them no less than a few frequent brainwashing methods factors from above. “The inside story of how social media rewired our minds and our world” subtitles Max Fisher’s guide “The Chaos Machine.”
Of course, the means of “altering the thoughts” shouldn’t be as easy as altering the laptop program. Yet, similar to the laptop program change, it may end up in constructive enchancment (maturing, schooling) or deterioration (brainwashing, thoughts management).
As all the time, “the key to transformation is self-observation.” Self-observation may additionally be the key to self-preservation. Self-preservation, individually and collectively, is being determined at the election cubicles.
Milan Vodicka has been a Nevada County resident since 1978
https://www.theunion.com/opinion/columns/milan-vodicka-cults-social-media-and-us-the-people/
