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originally posted by: Hefficide
Behavioral modification is a very real thing and we are all subjected to it on a nearly endless level. In it's most common form it is called "advertising". The other common forms have a myriad of names but can be placed under the single banner of "peer pressure" for the sake of conversation. In fact we are conditioned, from birth, to accept a set of things as absolutes or truths - even though they are, in fact, simply regional, national, or familial predispositions or traditions.
There are endless studies discussing the validity of behavioral modification. It's a subject I've discussed in at least four or five of my own threads.
Having said that - "trancing", as the OP put it - or hypnosis as a more common word is much less effective and far more tricky. Suggestion only goes so far - even with a subject who is in an altered state. This is why "date rape" drugs work by causing unconsciousness and not by turning the victim into a sex fiend. Simply put, it is very, very difficult to overcome a persons hard wired behaviors and convictions. While conspiracy fans like to imagine there's a magic pill or quick procedure that makes it possible - the reality is that total indoctrination is a very complicated and extensive process. Military basic training is only partial indoctrination and consider how much torture and debasement is involved simply in bringing out the killer instinct in a subject. Not controlling that instinct, nor directing it at a specific target - merely bringing it out from under years of societal conditioning saying that killing is bad.
In short, creating mindless automaton killers, in the Manchurian Candidate style is an analogy for how things really work. A plot device to simplify a very complex process. Simply drugging and implanting suggestions to a person will not work unless that person is already predisposed toward the ideas you are dealing with.
Now if you want to talk about indoctrination? That is a much different animal. That requires much more time, a lot of Pavlovian reinforcement, manipulation of the ego and convincing the victim that what you want them to do is what they actually want to do. It's a seduction - not a forced event.
And, yes, I am quite aware of the CIA experiments in mind control. I am also aware that, by and large, the entire Monarch program was a flop. They succeeded in doing a lot of psychological damage to people, including a plethora of suicides. But mind control - not so much.
Sirhan Sirhan is an interesting case, as is the entire Kennedy experience. But one has to take his word that he does not remember a thing - which could be seen as a very convenient thing. The lady in the spotted dress and the number of and angle of gunshots... all very interesting and definitely pointing toward something more than the story we've been told. But not compelling enough to believe that Sirhan Sirhan was mentally incapacitated at the time.
Ever had an attractive person at a bar captivate your attention until they wander away and you suddenly realize they just charmed you into bumping up your tab by fifty bucks? That is more in line with how manipulation and behavioral modification works in real world application. A weakness was exploited in a specific manner for a desired result. Many such examples can be made in every day life - the same mechanisms work in indoctrination.
Ironically an example of indoctrination of this type can be found in this very thread - the current predisposition of the American people to see every single bombing, riot, or shooting as a "false flag" - even when history shows us that these are events that have been going on since well before '___', sodium pentathol or sodium flouride were being tested for their behavioral properties.
Why is that? What do those with the ability to control information and opinion stand to gain by creating a society that cynical and quick to jump to outrageous conclusions about things like mind control?
The answer is simple. Fear. If we think they can control our thoughts. That they can slip us a pill, whisper in our ear, and force us to murder vast numbers of people, including our own families or communities? Then we live in fear.
Oh, and we also, then, come predisposed towards the belief that they CAN do this which enables the placebo effect - but that's an entire thread all to itself.
Summary. Crazy people do crazy things. You can't assume that all, most, or even a substantial number of them are "tranced" to perform some secret NWO agenda. Especially when all these tragedies usually lead to is a lot of arguing about laws but none get changed.
Now when an event immediately leads to some dramatic new paradigm? That's when I would pay attention to the notion of a false flag scenario.
Just my two cents.