Psychotronic Mind Control and Tinfoil Hats

[volatile]

I just read a fascinating article about "Mind Control" conspiracy theorists in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011001399_pf.html).

It's a really interesting insight into the mental state of conspiracists, but what really struck a chord with me was the uniquely American slant on what is essentially schizophrenia. I knew a guy who had similar paranoid experiences of electronic mind control and voices in his head but, being British, they were generated by a vexatious ex-girlfriend, not the CIA.

Also: who knew you could actually buy not only tinfoil hats but also tinfoil underpants! It's my birthday coming up, and it sounds like they could be just the gift I'll be putting on my list! ;)

[uk_dave]

Also: who knew you could actually buy not only tinfoil hats but also tinfoil underpants! It's my birthday coming up, and it sounds like they could be just the gift I'll be putting on my list! ;)

You want some WD40 with those?

[JimBenArm]

You want some WD40 with those?
Actually, you'll want to use KrazyGlue, otherwise it will slide off, and then you'll be at the mercy of the mind rays again! And make sure the shiny side is out, or else it won't work properly!

[Elizabeth I]

Sorry, tin foil doesn't go with my eyes. Is there something in another metal?

[MortFurd]

I just read a fascinating article about "Mind Control" conspiracy theorists in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011001399_pf.html).

It's a really interesting insight into the mental state of conspiracists, but what really struck a chord with me was the uniquely American slant on what is essentially schizophrenia. I knew a guy who had similar paranoid experiences of electronic mind control and voices in his head but, being British, they were generated by a vexatious ex-girlfriend, not the CIA.

Also: who knew you could actually buy not only tinfoil hats but also tinfoil underpants! It's my birthday coming up, and it sounds like they could be just the gift I'll be putting on my list! ;)

So, the Brits fear the "Psychotronic love commandos" rather than the "CIA Psychotronic death squads?"



LISTEN HERE WOLFCHILD
I SPEAK OF MAVERICK DEVIATION
THE PSYCHOTRONIC LOVE COMMANDOS
WE SHALL BE DRUNK ON STARS
WE SHALL FEAR NOTHING
DEMAND THE IMPOSSIBLE
DREAM YOUR DESTINY
DEFY THE LOGIC OF ALPHABETS
I SLAVE THE KING OF THE WORLD
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

[MortFurd]

Sorry, tin foil doesn't go with my eyes. Is there something in another metal?
Gold leaf would probably work as well, it just costs a lot more.

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

Why is it always the CIA?
There are so many to choose from:
NSA
NIA
DoD
DIA
OSS
FBI
etc

[TellyKNeasuss]

Sorry, tin foil doesn't go with my eyes. Is there something in another metal?

Lead would probably work, but wearing something so heavy might mess up your hair.

[NickUK]

I've worked in mental health for 10 years and have come across a handful of people who've literally created hats from tinfoil. Mostly, it's been to counteract thought withdrawl and insertion, although there was one poor chap who did it because he thought the government were trying to poison his brain with electrical waves.

All of these people had a formal diagnosis of Schizophrenia.

[fsol]

But the Government wants you to wear tinfoil hats.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

:covereyes

[uk_dave]

Interesting.... as is this thread (or rather the responses to it) over at LCF....


Rainbow:
I just read the Wikipedia article about conspiracy theories and man i am pissed off. But read for yourself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory

The term conspiracy theory is used by mainstream scholars and in popular culture to identify a type of folklore similar to an urban legend, especially an explanatory narrative which is constructed with particular methodological flaws.[2] The term is also used pejoratively to dismiss claims that are alleged by critics to be misconceived, paranoid, unfounded, outlandish, irrational, or otherwise unworthy of serious consideration. For example Conspiracy nut and conspiracy theorist are used as pejorative terms. Some whose theories or speculations are labeled a conspiracy theory reject the term as prejudicial.

Psychological origins

According to some psychologists, a person who believes in one conspiracy theory is often a believer in other conspiracy theories and conversely for a person who does not believe in one conspiracy theory there is a lower probability that he, or she, will believe in another one.[11] This may be attributable to differences in the information upon which parties rely in formulating their conclusions. Thus, a person who believes in a particular conspiracy theory may do so because of awareness of information which is not shared by those that disbelieve the conspiracy theory. In turn, awareness of such information may be correlated with awareness of other information which increases the likelihood that one will believe in other conspiracy theories. Conversely, the lack of awareness of such information may be correlated with the lack of awareness of other information which decreases the likelihood that one will believe in other conspiracy theories.

Psychologists believe that the search for meaningfulness features largely in conspiracism and the development of conspiracy theories. That desire alone may be powerful enough to lead to the initial formulation of the idea. Once cognized, confirmation bias and avoidance of cognitive dissonance may reinforce the belief. In a context where a conspiracy theory has become popular within a social group, communal reinforcement may equally play a part.

Evolutionary psychology may also play a significant role. Paranoid tendencies are associated with an animals ability to recognize danger. Higher animals attempt to construct mental models of the thought processes of both rivals and predators in order to read their hidden intentions and to predict their future behavior. Such an ability is extremely valuable in sensing and avoiding danger in an animal community. If this danger-sensing ability should begin making false predictions, or be triggered by benign evidence, or otherwise become pathological, the result is paranoid delusions.

And there is much more in this article:

* paranoia
* denial
* schizophrenia
* mean world syndrome

* Many theories - including conspiracy theories - rely on the assumption of rational expectations. Under this assumption, events and decisions are explained by the rational responses of groups and individuals.

* However, Allison pointed out that groups and individuals do not always act in a rational manner.

* Allison argued that by using rationalistic thinking, individuals automatically take a black box approach to problems, meaning that they concentrate on data that was available and the results, but failed to consider other factors, such as bureaucracy, misunderstandings, disagreements, etc.

* Finally, Allison argued that rationalistic thinking in general violates the scientific law of falsifiability, as according to the rationality theorem, there exists no event or groups of events that cannot be explained in a rational and purposeful manner.

The puppy known as....Roxy!:
Morons....

http://z10.invisionfree.com/Loose_Change_Forum/index.php?showtopic=3402

Bless their little delusional hearts

[uruk]

But the Government wants you to wear tinfoil hats.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

:covereyes

Personaly I prefere the "centurion" It's more aerodynamic when I'm speed away from MIBs and CIA agents in my batmobile.

[Elizabeth I]

But the Government wants you to wear tinfoil hats.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

:covereyes

I think "the Fez" is very stylish - it has a certain je ne sais quoi about it.

But I thought those kids at MIT were kept much busier than this.