Robert Jay Lifton (b. 1926) developed these criteria to identify the manipulative techniques with which authoritarian groups gain control over their members, clouding their minds to rational thinking.This list can be used to measure the degree of control, not only in groups, but also in relationships, families and even entire countries. Milieu Control:Control the social […]
Robert Lifton’s 8 Criteria of Thought Rerform Read More »
Can digital assistants be used as agents of undue influence? AIs like Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Now, M and Bixby help us to send messages, play music, and set reminders. We can even insult them to get a witty comeback, or ask them to tell us a joke – and then demand they tell us a
Little Sister is Listening to You – artificial intelligence and undue influence Read More »
Students are frequently disciplined these days for cut-and-pasting paragraphs from the Internet rather than properly responding to their tutors’ questions. A similar habit is found among academics who speak about “brainwashing” and “cults”. Rather than reading and reviewing Steven Hassan’s new book, Professor Zeller has cut-and-pasted ideas that have been floated repeatedly over the last several decades.