this post was submitted on 02 Jun 2025
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"Brainwashing" doesn't exist. It's a theory pushed by the United States during the Cold War to offer an explanation for why citizens in Socialist countries supported their systems. Read Masses, Elites, and Rebels: The Theory of "Brainwashing" if you want to learn more about the subject.
Oh of course brainwashing is just something made up by the us to make tankies look bad. Of course how could I have missed that.
Thanks for reeducating me. I'll forget everything i know about propaganda and environmental influences. Those can't have influenced peoples thoughts that would be so crazy.
Edit: can't reply to any comments because disagreement is against the rules.
The idea of “brain-washing” can be credited to Edward Hunter, a CIA-funded writer and editor, who in 1950 started writing articles and books on the subject. His thesis was that Red China and the Soviet Union could control the minds of their respective citizenry—which explained how susceptible Americans captured on foreign soil would be.
Rather than "mind control," people license themselves to believe ideas that coincide with what they percieve to be materially beneficial. Capitalists genuinely believe that Capitalism naturally selects for those most competent, Chinese citizens genuinely believe Socialism in China benefits themselves, and both are genuine beliefs because of real material benefits.
You know, if for one second you entertained ideas that go against your current understanding, you'd develop deeper and multi-sided understanding. Instead, you reflexively complain about communists and conspiracies. Of course environmental factors play a role, but they do not command thought, but reinforce beliefs.
Socialism is so bad people like Einstein, Jack London, Helen Keller, MLK2, Mandela, Mark Twain, Picasso, Ghandi, Fred Hampton embraced some version of it.