Mind control is not a new technology. The original form of mind control was simply to lie. The receiver of the false information arrives at a misconception and then acts upon this to the benefit of the liar. It might not need pointing out but this form of mind control is still widely in use today.
Even a logical argument such as this is a form of manipulation for my own benefit. The difference is I am not using deceit, for which you will have to discern for yourselves, and I benefit, in the long run, only if you also benefit. To live in a world in which people can think for themselves; without fear of having their mental processes diverted into mindless servitude.
The human mind is a fantastically complex biochemical machine. But, in order to function in a hectic modern society it must take shortcuts. By exploiting these known shortcuts a villainous type can use misdirection to supplement his belief system over another's. In fact a whole science has grown up around this very subject, it is called Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP); the name says it all really.
As if that wasn't sinister enough, another branch of mind control research has taken the practice of bullying and developed it into a precise system of social control. Group mind control was once known affectionately as social engineering, but in keeping with strict terminology it is now technically called coercive persuasion. This misuse of the peer group and its natural instincts is pervasive and almost imperceptible as it relies on the group under control to maintain the artificially implanted group mindset.
As I mentioned in the introduction, mental conditioning is not restricted to a specific class of people. Some of the most destructive forms of persuasion are reserved for those delegated to administer mind control practices on others. Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a known medical condition and the cause is generally held to be the occurrence of one or more traumatic events in a person's history. As unconscionable as it is, the practice of intentionally traumatizing a person in order to create a split personality, each unaware of the other and vulnerable to suggestion, may have its roots in early history and continue to this day.
Most forms of mind control can only work if the target audience is distracted, inhibited or in a semi-conscious state. The television, while not originally intended for this purpose, is by far the most efficient tool for inducing all three of these states. Through private ownership of the airwaves this impressive device, with all of its potential to inform and educate the masses, has been subverted and is being used to deliver a continuous stream of lies and propaganda at the increasingly hapless viewers. The level of exposure to television is almost a perfect gauge for determining a persons level of subjectivity. Since there is no competition in the broadcasting market the television has become, in my opinion, a dangerous influence. If we don't abstain and turn our attention to, and guard against, all forms of mind control then we may lose the greatest gift given to mankind, the ability to reason.