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How Politicians and the Media Change Our Minds
Paul Murdock
Campaign For Liberty
Friday, July 10, 2009
Unbeknownst to us, our lives are filled with messages that have a profound effect on our emotions, beliefs, values, and behaviors. These messages can be as obvious as a tornado siren in Kansas or as secretive and stealthy as the viruses and bacteria that invade your biological organs. What is guaranteed is that, for good or evil, the message never ends, and its impact is powerful!
Psychologists and advertisers have long known the persuasiveness of words, images, and especially other people. Corporations big and small combine to spend billions in advertising to increase their market share and increase profits. Not only are corporations spending billions, but also nonprofit organizations have significantly increased their time and effort to grow their philosophies and promote social change. Some of these changes are admirable such as reducing overt and covert acts of aggression towards minorities. On the other hand, some political, economic, and philosophical agenda run counter to the Constitution of the United States and the moral and ethical principles that have propelled this country forward. No attempt will be made to highlight specific organizations; rather, the principles of social influence need be surfaced to highlight the hidden attack on the principles and values of political and economic freedom. Specifically, this article will address how individuals defer to authority and look to experts for guidance.
In 1971, basic principles of social psychology were brought to light following the Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Phil Zimbarbo. This study randomly assigned participants to one of two conditions; prisoner or prison guard. Six days after the experiment started, it was stopped because prison guards became abusive and sadistic, and prisoners showed signs of mood lability and extreme distress. This study has important implications because it reveals how ordinary citizens quickly became domineering and hostile when placed in arbitrary positions of social power. More so, it is fascinating how participants assigned to the role of a prisoner quickly felt helpless and responded to perceived authority with unquestioning obedience. In support of this study, Stanley Milgram explored how individuals would act against their better judgment when pressured by an authoritative figure. Thus, it is vital to know how those in “power” today influence our minds and subsequent behaviors in order to maintain our values and make wise decisions.
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Anthony Pratkanis, a renowned social psychologist, has analyzed and classified a variety of tactics humans use to manipulate and change the beliefs or attitudes of others. A few of these include using associations, controlling the flow of information, setting the agenda, and relying on social rules and taking advantage of our subjective feelings. One principle I would like to highlight is known as “social proof.” Studies have shown that individuals look for guidance by finding out what others think; especially those we perceive are experts or in authority. This principle becomes more influential when there is a perceived consensus and when the individual is faced with uncertainty and ambiguity. As a result, individuals are more likely to follow the “crowd” to maintain social acceptance and reduce our psychological vulnerabilities. Two quick examples that make us susceptible to social influence are global warming and the current economic crisis. First, the issues are complex and ambiguous, and society has largely relied on “experts” and political figures.
In the news, reporters have endlessly cited the United Nations climate panel, the Federal Reserve Chairman, Al Gore, and other world leaders to persuade individuals to support economic bailouts and drastic climate measures. Little information is provided as the basis for their actions and the science and “consensus” is never questioned. Thus, the average individual is left without the knowledge to make an informed decision. This uncertainty and lack of knowledge consistently leads individuals to defer to the group and authority figures such as politicians, professors, and the media. Moreover, in an effort to maintain ideal conditions for social persuasion, an opposing viewpoint is labeled “radical, far-right, and even conservative” to place the individual in the “out” group, thus destroying their potential influence on others.
Although most intelligent individuals recognize bias, the inundating messages unconsciously lead to helplessness, apathy, and eventually acquiescence. In other words, the totality of the messages eventually destroys most individual defenses! Even when we are aware! For example, if individuals are consistently faced with “supposed facts and experts” from the media, professors, politicians, and corporations, values, ideals, and behavior is subtly manipulated like a river that never ceases to erode its banks. It will eventually get deeper and wider.
What then can be done to minimize the persuasiveness of those in control? In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” Social control is dependent on providing one point of view and limiting knowledge and contrary viewpoints. The U.S. constitution became great because it was “the single greatest effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen” (John Adams). It is vital to openly debate topics, engage in fruitful discussion, and play devil’s advocate. Practice responding to propaganda, thinking rationally about the issues, attempt to understand the full range of options, avoid being dependent on a single news source, monitor your emotions, and be prepared to challenge the “group.”
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55 Responses to “How Politicians and the Media Change Our Minds”
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July 10th, 2009 at 4:25 am
I can’t even watch the big network evening news without wanting to vomit. The other day it was on at the gym and every story was either silly fluff or meant to scare you. All the commercials were for various drugs and medicines. I take everything, including this website and Rense.com , whatreallyhappened.com , newspapers, etc. with a big grain of salt.
Aidan Monaghan Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Tools for mass control: Information and economics.
zombie Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 9:56 am
We are heading into the much predicted 2012 end of times. This prophecy is predicted by over 100 religions and cultures and learn what the signs are. It is happening right now. This is not an information war…it is a spiritual war….good vs evil…plain and simple. David Icke is being brought on the show for a reason! Alex knows the truth about the origins of the Illuminati and isn’t telling you!! http://www.thegrandawakening.com
Responder. Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Alex Jones HAS told everyone about the origins of the Illuminati on his radio program & also when he was interviewed with Freeman. Furthermore: no it will not quite be the “end of times” but simply a shifting into time-space & out of space-time. This is why the computer model for 2012 does not show any more “time” – it is because the concept of time will become obsolete at that point during the Universal Consciousness cycle which will start on Feb 11 2011. Time & matter are purportedly going to merge after a transformation of consciousness.
hopllyte Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
THE DESTROYER is on his way…thei plan to change is orbital path through our solar system has failed( a space ‘Probe”(Cassini/Huygen HUG) was sent to montior Saturn w/72 pounds of weapons grade plutonium)…and their only option to remain in power…to kill 90% of humans on palnet earth. Their plan is currently being carried out…nothing can save you…Not all the ammo and food can sheild you from their delivery system. This fall the BETA human will die becasue they have shirked real responsobility and opted for material goods and possesions. The rise of the human ALPHA will be again…and NATURES LAW will usurp the laws of man.
sunny02 Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
stop watching TV
Alternative media has its own YouTube
A Patriot Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Well Said!
James M Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
The more info from more places and sides and opinions you have the better able you are to form a good opinion. It is also ok to change your opinion as you become yourself and new information is afforded to you. It all needs be taken with a lot of salt as it seems these days everyone has an agenda and an opinion. I could not remotely classify myself on either side of the two party system in our country. I am a liberal republican or a conservative democrat. I really believe in what seems right and fair from my own perspective and it all never fits on either side. It is conflicting and a strong independant I believe is the only solution to this seperation of ourselves from ourselves. Right and wrong, good and evil, who is right and who is wrong? Who is good and who is evil? It is all perspective. It was much easier when the good guys wore white hats and the bad guys wore black ones. They all wear gray hats now.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:42 am
I feel the same way. This site is refreshingly direct in it’s take on stopping world domination: http://www.unconditionalfriendship.com/?p=120
Karen Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 6:43 am
What? Is that a Wicca site? It’s not refreshing at all. It’s creepy!!!!!!!!
?? Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 8:43 am
that site is creepy , only people that paint their walls pale purple and collect unicorn figurines would like that site.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:53 am
I some times think that I would be better off liveing in a hole in the ground ..
At least there I would be away from the corporate crap of someone trying to sell me something or brianwash me ..
Dilbert : It makes me want to vomit too ..
http://www.myspace.com/tocan2
July 10th, 2009 at 5:03 am
I think more news websites will be forced by popular opinion to allow comments at the end of each article. Sites like this will become more popular as we tell our friends about them because there is always a contrary viewpoint, and everyone even MSM sheep know it. So to get contrary viewpoints people will leave closed-ended news sites, abandoning that old technology for more interactive stuff. Go Infowars/PrisonPlanet!
Jim Lunsford Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 5:25 am
David, when Yahoo! News put the comments back on their news stories, it affected their reporting. The best example I saw of this was when the pope gave a speech about world hunger and said we shouldn’t be so selfish last year. He did this standing in front of his gold throne and wearing an outfit costing more than most americans net worth. They didn’t change the words, but they did change the photo! lol Why? Because the first fifty comments alone dealt with that fucking chair and how it was made from the gold the conquistadors stole from the Indians. Fucking hilarious.
Itssoobvious Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 7:48 am
It’s funny because it’s TRUE!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Start unpluggin…i too am fed up with it and have cancelled my satellite tv and refuse to watch it. I also refuse to listen to radio and read newspapers..My life is slowly comeing back to me, its all white noise at this point..lies, and manipulation. You can take action,you are not powerless..reclaim your life. Start unplugging from their images and learn to operate your own mind.
S.Bonn Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 6:34 am
and beware of neural linguistic programing{language Programing}we are programmed from birth with language!hence drug ads.
wiggins Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 10:42 am
That’s the one dude. Just going to mention that.
Adam_infowarrior Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I agree, I’ve studied a bit of nlp myself and it’s scary how easily people can be manipulated without even knowing it. It bypasses the conscious mind and inundates the subconscious with whatever the desired message is!
Here’s a good article about Obama’s use of nlp;
http://www.pennypresslv.com/Obama’s_Use_of_Hidden_Hypnosis_techniques_in_His_Speeches.pdf
Also David Icke hit the nail right on the head with this one: (I don’t usually pay attention to Ickes work because of all of the alien reptilian stuff- I need much more time to fully investigate those issues for myself and I believe there is enough corruption and evil among humankind without delving into the realm of et’s or other entities that wish to harm us.)
http://WWW.DAVIDICKE.COM/OBAMA
I just watched a classic movie which I had never seen called Rashomon. To me a good movie is one that can force people out of their psychological comfort zones and open up to them a different view of the world. Rashomon is an interesting study of the nature of truth, good and evil, the human condition and human self preservation and endeavor. I recomend it to any movie buff. It’s a film which gives no easy answers. I find the story and execution very impressive for a film made in 1950!
To me films are a good way to break through all of the societal programing imposed on the masses. I enjoy watching Kubrick films with friends and family along with The Wachowskie (sp) brothers and others which help to open peoples minds to the truth. Oh and of course Alex Jones films. Although sometimes people aren’t ready for that level of truth and condemnation of the system without the theatricality that hollywood provides.
However AJ is getting much better on the production of his films IMHO and taking this element into account!
I don’t watch t.v. at all anymore. I don’t want to have to install a converter box just to watch the tube, so I can be brainwashed! Also I have a good book called “spy tv” about the digital transition, written in 2000- it explains how different peoples habits are going to be monitered to better understand market demographics so the large corporations can continue selling us crap we don’t need for money we don’t have! (Carlin)
July 10th, 2009 at 6:28 am
BOTTOM LINE….. IF THEY WANT TO WATER DOWN OUR CONSTITUTION, OR DO SOME DOUBLE MEANINGS OF OUR RIGHTS, LIBERTY, OUR FREEDOMS WE MUST FIGHT BACK AND TELL EVERYONE THE TRUTH OF WHAT “THEY” ARE DOING, LETS NOT SAY NOTHING, IF WE SAY NOTHING THEN WE SHALL BE HELPING “THEM” TO BUT US INTO THE BONDAGE OF THE NWO, SPEAK OUT, AND NEVER GIVE UP!!!!! UNITE IN TRUTH, LIBERTY, THIS IS OUR LAND, DO NOT LET “THEM” TAKE IT FROM US. LETS DO THE POSSIBLE, AND TRUST GOD TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, AMEN(LET IT BE SO)
July 10th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Yes ads and the media can really shape the way you think, it’s true. Case in point, with all this media coverage of Micheal Jackson you’de swear he was father of the year. Just ask the 10 year old boy who’s dick was sucked in the shower with Mikey.
wiggins Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Did dat freak have a dick? He was probably a haemophridite.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:46 am
I don,t watch the msm there all liars the obama news network ABC so they don,t control my mind at all cause i know there full of crap.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Paranoia is the beginning of all knowledge. http://www.conspiracyfriendfinder.com/
July 10th, 2009 at 7:04 am
“You monkeys only think you’re running the show” – Dennis McKenna
Do you really believe that anyone is in control of anything?
Nobody has control…lol…that is the greatest of all illusions…
we are in for the ride of our lives…hang on hannah
nature is churning out the new human…
July 10th, 2009 at 7:07 am
This is preaching to the choir. The ones reading this now are folks who are aware and awake to what’s going on. Most of the people that I talk to are at the least ignorant and a lot of them are also stupid, ( For whatever reason, yes I know enough to blame a lot of it on our education system. ) but the end result is the same, blind sheeple. The big question is how do we wake up enough people to make a difference?
Kulaks never learn Reply:
July 11th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Try setting a good example….
July 10th, 2009 at 7:16 am
all corporations in america are all unfair, they all run on greed . me me me me me first . they pay us slaves nothing and expect us to just shut up and die. well do you know what i say . screw you all and all your criminal ass leaders who do nothing for us
July 10th, 2009 at 8:05 am
All i know is, that Ignorance can be cured with educating and learning about whats happening in this world. There is No Cure for Pure stupidity! That’s where so many who give into the news and just follow what the Government tells them is so, and they just go along with it and never ask why.That’s Being STUPID! That’s the problem. We ALL need to start asking why. Put them on the spot. There making laws everyday to stop us from doing just that! Try to ask them a question about it, and see how fast they try to change the subject!
wiggins Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I agree with what you say. What happened some years back was that ‘Social’ progamming, created ‘Care in the Community’ ie they let a lot of loony toons out of Institutions, to save money; on the pretext that they were doing these people a favour. Of course they weren’t, but these people are in the Community breeding, courtesy of people like Hilary Clinton. Why? To Fuck up the status quo.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:08 am
That’s why I rarely watch television. Too many damn messages. Nothing honest or that really has any relevance.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:09 am
“He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luk 21:8 NIV).
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought thembringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2Pe 2:1-3 NIV).
July 10th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Fox News is fair and balanced. Sean Hannity is one of the smartest and honest guys next to Bill O’Reily. Who by the way is foreskin version of Rush Limbaugh, another stand up fellow.
Dilbert McGunnut Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 9:34 am
“Sarcasm is anger’s ugly cousin.” Jack Nicholson quote from a movie.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Many people believe its only dumb sheep that are susceptible to propaganda and shaping of the mind. Unfortunately for us, highly intelligent people are more susceptible because they believe themselves to be immune. They see one layer but not another. This is in “Propaganda” by7 Jaques Ellul.
Platos Republic says that intelligent people are often more morally corruptable in the last book.
A Patriot Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I am fortunate in that I am seemingly totally immune to normal methods of propoganda.
(although I will admit sexualized imagery does garner my brief attention)
In the future I believe Truth Activists will need to use media manipulation to help lead the sheeple to a better, and certainly much more free tomorrow.
People want to be led – we should not kid ourselves that everyone has the capacity for or interest in waking up.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Neuro-linguistic programming, NLP for short, is very positive in its self, however could most definitely be used to mess your head up. However, if you are in control of your mind and understand how it works NLP becomes very effective for the individual. Before slamming it get a beginners book on it and learn something about it. I must admit, Obama’s inagural was full NLP tricks, but if you don’t know what they are, how can you protect yourself?
July 10th, 2009 at 9:16 am
just deleeted my youtube account you all know why not because i speak the truth , [laugh chuckle] useless criminal $a$t$r$s hand in hand with our useless criminal government
July 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Time to unplug from the matrix as much as possible…pass it on.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Anybody heard of MEDIA LITERACY?
July 10th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Digital television allows subliminals to be implanted at will and in multiple layers.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
In the same vain as above, http://www.rapailleinstitute.com/ does a lot of work reaching the reptilian brain to make us do things subconsciously!
July 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
well in todays world when the media says that we need to educate. Translation, cram their views down your throats, till you would believe anything they say.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
The Boer Republicans know all to well about the tired old media technique of being labeled ” Right Wing Extremists.” Read more at: Correct Term: Boer Nationalist Not Right Winger. I have long since noticed that anyone who tries to struggle for AUTHENTIC freedom or for self determination is arbitrarily labeled as a purported Right Wing Radical.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
it seems the FCC is working for the Main stream media, what do you yhink?
Nationalized propoganda right in full view of us all.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
The truth is even worse!
http://www.pentwhistle.com/
July 11th, 2009 at 2:06 am
In listening to the talk radio KHOW Denver before and after the DNC goings on. It looked like the picks to run for pres. were the people that paid for their commercials on TV.
What do you think? They would going to the ones that brought in the dollars.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:10 am
And how AJ is knowingly or unknowingly preconditioning people to fight a revolution against a system ruled by Satan. Remember the French revolution? Illuminati’d sparked it and even banned themselves for a short time. The Bible says love your enemies even if they hurt you. (not wordbyword) Remember the prayer Jesus said dying on a stauros?
EU-Lex Reply:
July 11th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Fight them but don’t harm them, it’s not easy isn’t it?
July 11th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Stupid is as stupid does….signed W Bush
Ooh I’m sorry I misspelled it.
Stupit is as stupit does ….signed W Bush (P.S. I love retardment rrrrr retirement.)
July 11th, 2009 at 11:24 am
The alternative news has been taken over. TPTB are controlling both sides from almost every angle. If you think you are not getting slighted news here, then you should investigate more closely.
If they can influence elections, over-throw governments in other countries don’t you think they can control the information here in the west?
Most alternative news sources just repeat what those at the top say.
The only source you can really trust is you.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am
GCN is owned by Ted Anderson who just happens to be President/CEO of Midas Resources, the only gold broker on Jones’ show.
http://www.wingtv.net/gcnabc.html
July 11th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Watch this thread drop from sight
July 14th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Wow. All I can say is just because you don’t live in fear of the same things that people who watch TV do, doesn’t mean you’re not living in fear. I can’t believe all the end of the world, NWO, propaganda I’m reading here. Nor can I believe that you all think better to be afraid of THESE things instead of terrorists and global warming.
HOW ABOUT DON’T BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING. Folks here’s a newsflash. Global Warming is a joke, and satellites filled with plutonium are a joke too. We needn’t fear Satan, the NWO, immunizations, republicans, the TV or anything. JUST USE YOUR FUCKING BRAIN. That’s all the article is saying. Something sounds fishy? Think about it. Someone telling you something you don’t fully believe? Check facts and sources. That’s it. Believing in all these ridiculous conspiracies is the same kind of “power greater than we” mentality people had before we had science and computers and books. This is 2009. The facts are so readily available that you can’t hide them or hide from them. While this is a great lament to would-be conspiratorys, it is the exact reason that your conspiracy theories are just koo-koo boogeyman crap. There’s not a word of truth to them and if there was there would be no hiding the facts.
Big, rich, powerful, ALPHA, evil, connected, hybrid, NWO Men in Black are not planning your demise, they are not planning to enslave you and they are not going to kill you. YOu need not live in fear. JUST FUCKING THINK. That is the point that you all clearly missed….
July 14th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
[...] bias clouds and alters people’s judgment. Knowledge is power… become knowledgeable. Prison Planet | How Politicians and the Media Change Our Minds Paul Murdock | Campaign For Liberty July 10, [...]