There is no such thing as brainwashing.

[Nakosis]

Brainwashing is a myth, along with 'poisoning of the mind'. The reality is that people simply have different levels of enthusiasm toward questioning different ideas.

Or is this not the case? Any thoughts?

Brainwashing, I see as the ability to tap into the subconscious of someone else's mind. So to alter their conscious desires through their unconscious psyche.

IMO we get brainwashed by culture, politics, religion, public schools, society's expectations, and parents.
The movie type of brainwashing is really an attempt to alter this brainwashing we already inherently have.

We are constantly open to being brainwashed since we are not fully conscious of our environment. Often the media tries to implant ideas, like we need, absolutely need to buy the latest IPhone.

I don't need to consciously convince you of an idea as long as I can convince your subconscious mind of it. Then you will think it is your own idea.

 

[sun rise]

It exists. See "gaslighting" as a real example of how it works.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Convincing people to believe in the most insane and unbelievable things certainly takes a good amount of brainwashing.

That's why religions get started early in children -- it takes some time and effort to get a mind to shut out its own reasonable doubts.

 

[David Young]

The very fact that ideas taught since childhood are questioned to varying degrees later in life suggests that, while the term 'indoctrination' may be appropriate, the term 'brainwashing' is a little far-fetched.

As for gaslighting, isn't that just attempted indoctrination? Again, if you are aware that it is happening, and willing to think critically of it, the phenomenon seems far away from what most people use the word 'brainwashing' for.

 

[Kooky]

Convincing people to believe in the most insane and unbelievable things certainly takes a good amount of brainwashing.

Not really.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Not really.

I uh have to agree on second thought.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

It exists. See "gaslighting" as a real example of how it works.

Yes, brainwashing does exist. I think it's quite obvious in the Trump supporters who staunchly believe the Big Lie and in the QAnon conspiracy theories. I've come across several on a peculiar Christian board who honestly believe that Trump is a shadow president, and Biden is merely a puppet in Trump's shadow presidency. There are Trump supporters on the same board who honestly believe that God himself will reinstate Trump as the president, because they truly believe Trump was handpicked by God. They believe the devil (using evil incarnate Democrats) prevented Trump from being re-elected, and God will soon intervene and set things straight. I was even told by one of these people that I'm demon possessed and that's what caused me to vote for Joe Biden. I was also told that I'm purposely rebelling against God for refusing to support Trump, and I'm going to hell because I voted for Joe Biden.

But wait it gets better... there is one member on this board who genuinely believes that Donald Trump and Mike Pence are the two witnesses from the Book of Revelation, and he uses multiple scriptures to back up his belief. He believes it's only a matter of time before they're sacrificed. Another member swears on her life that she and her mother have been programmed by the U.S. federal government to kill people on command. She also claims to help other people who have been programmed in the same way.

Based on my personal observations on this other board, no one can tell me that brainwashing isn't a real thing.

 

[David Young]

And yet there are people who used to support a president who later change their minds, used to believe far-fetched conspiracy theories and then reject them, even people who think Highlander 2 was a good film and who alter their bizarre worldview afterwards.

The fact that such opinions can change surely challenges the idea that brainwashing is real. Isn't it all a question of how much, or how little, enthusiasm you have for asking critical questions of something?

 

[Revoltingest]

Brainwashing is a myth, along with 'poisoning of the mind'. The reality is that people simply have different levels of enthusiasm toward questioning different ideas.

Or is this not the case? Any thoughts?

Brainwashing is indeed real.
For examples, false memories can be implanted.
Creating False Memories