Harvard professor Rebecca Lemov, an expert on the history of science, dives into her new book about brainwashing and mind control. She reveals how soldiers were psychologically manipulated during the Korean War, shedding light on the stigma surrounding their trauma. Lemov also discusses the subtle ways brainwashing pervades our daily lives, especially through social media and misinformation. With intriguing historical examples and modern implications, she highlights the ongoing relevance of these coercive techniques in today's digital world.
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Korean War POWs
During the Korean War, American POWs confessed to crimes they likely didn't commit, like dropping biological weapons.
This raised concerns about brainwashing, as returning troops also showed signs of ideological transformation.
insights INSIGHT
Maoist Re-education
The American POWs in the Korean War were indeed subjected to Maoist re-education and thought reform.
Their transformations, though not always permanent, were real.
insights INSIGHT
Coercive Persuasion
Brainwashing, or coercive persuasion, combines extreme forcefulness with persuasion tactics, often in enclosed situations.
A key characteristic is the feeling of being transformed into another person without realizing it.
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The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyperpersuasion
The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyperpersuasion
Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyperpersuasion
Rebecca Lemov
Rebecca Lemov's "The Instability of Truth" delves into the history and mechanics of brainwashing and coercive persuasion. The book traces the evolution of these techniques from their use on American POWs in the Korean War to their application in cults and, ultimately, the digital age. Lemov examines the psychological and social factors that contribute to susceptibility, highlighting the insidious nature of subtle manipulation. The work challenges the notion that brainwashing is a rare phenomenon, arguing instead that its potential exists in everyday interactions. Ultimately, the book serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of the human mind to influence and control.
Propaganda: the formation of men's attitudes
Jacques Ellul
In this book, Ellul presents a comprehensive analysis of propaganda, defining it as a set of methods used by organized groups to manipulate individuals psychologically. He discusses how propaganda incorporates scientific analyses from psychology and sociology to influence people's attitudes and actions. Ellul argues that modern propaganda is designed to spark action by developing learned attitudes and that it relies heavily on creating and manipulating myths. He also highlights the harmful effects of propaganda on democracy and human freedom, noting its ability to make individuals serve societal or organizational goals rather than elevating them[1][4][5].
Beyond Freedom and Dignity
Burrhus Frederic Skinner
In this book, B.F. Skinner argues that the entrenched belief in free will and the moral autonomy of the individual (referred to as 'dignity') hinders the prospect of using scientific methods to modify behavior. Skinner advocates for a radically behaviorist approach, suggesting that instead of promoting freedom and dignity as personal attributes, we should focus on changing the physical and social environments in which people live. He rejects traditional explanations of behavior in favor of explanations based on the interaction between genetic endowment and personal history, and argues against punishment as an ineffective measure of controlling behavior[1][2][4].
The Cult of Trump
A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control
Steven Hassan
In her new book, “The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyperpersuasion,” Harvard historian of science Rebecca Lemov examines the many ways our minds can be controlled against our wills. Lemov chronicles the use of brainwashing techniques on a range of people from U.S. soldiers who were imprisoned in Korea in the 1950s – some of whom refused to come home after the conflict ended – to members of back-to-land cults that proliferated in the Bay Area in the 1960s. She joins us to talk about how brainwashing is used, the troubling implications, and how anyone can fall victim to mind control, even you.
Guests:
Rebecca Lemov, professor of the history of science, Harvard University
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