Smart People Podcast Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion with Harvard Professor, Rebecca Lemov
Mar 26, 2025
Harvard professor and author Rebecca Lemov dives deep into the unsettling world of brainwashing and mind control. She discusses the pervasive influence of social media on our perceptions and highlights the concept of 'ungrounding' as a precursor to behavior change. Sharing riveting historical examples from POW experiences, Lemov unpacks how subtle manipulations affect identity. Her deeply personal insights challenge us to recognize our vulnerabilities in a society steeped in psychological influence, prompting a reevaluation of reality.
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Brainwashing's Reality and Susceptibility
- Brainwashing is real and involves becoming alienated from oneself.
- Everyone is susceptible to brainwashing, and it often disguises itself.
Historical Examples of Brainwashing
- Cardinal Mindszenty, a Polish war hero, was subjected to psychological torture and emerged a changed person.
- American POWs in Korea displayed similar transformations, confessing to untrue acts and adopting communist beliefs.
Brainwashing as a Weapon
- The Korean War POWs' experiences were a pivotal moment.
- The US government became aware of brainwashing as a potential weapon and sought to understand and counteract it.
