david@randvax.ARPA (David Shlapak) (01/03/84)
Re: (to paraphrase)
...I'm sure all of you out there, Liberals and Conservatives, are
brainwashed already.
I have tried to convince myself that this comment represented a
failed attempt at humor. I have failed. So, I have some questions:
(a) What the hell is "brainwashing," how does one "brainwash"
someone else, and how can one tell that another has been
"brainwashed?" Let me propose some hypothetical answers:
1. "Brainwashing" is somebody else convincing people
that his opinion, which you do not share, is correct.
"Rational argumentation" is YOU convincing the same
people that YOUR opinion is correct.
2. "Brainwashing" is generally accomplished through
some form of what is commonly known as "propaganda,"
which can generally be defined as any information
that doesn't support your position. Additionally,
"propaganda" is usually propagated by those possessing
a resource you or your group lack, such as money.
The opposite of "propaganda," of course, is "fact"
or "insight," which is naturally best represented by
your point of view.
3. Identifying a "brainwashing" victim is easy --- he
disagrees with you.
Now I for one don't find these definitions particularly
satisfying...they do, however, seem to represent the common under-
standing of the term.
Buzzwords are all well and good on placards and in broadsides, but
in grown-up talk they wear out real fast...
(b) How do I know YOU'RE not "brainswashed??" In fact how do YOU
know you're not "brainwashed???"
I'll leave you to figure this one out.
Just idle thoughts....
Cheers!
--- das