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Thanks, it doesn't give a succinct definition, but the parts about knowing the "truth" and being under constant attack seem essential parts to "conditioning", a

Thanks, it doesn't give a succinct definition, but the parts about knowing the "truth" and being under constant attack seem essential parts to "conditioning", and how such are applied to some sketchy religious sects and conspiracy theories. But, I guess, my question is how can it be so effective and why are people so susceptible, since I'd guess if you went up to most people on the street to tell them you had the truth and they're under attack they'd probably give you the finger, yet some people are highly attracted to such suggestions.

dsr_ 4y ago
Humans like being a part of society. This appears to be ingrained in hominids, if not mammals as a whole -- cats like groups of 5 to 50, depending on environment; some whales seem to be happy being alone for months at a time. Some percentage of humans are willing to submit to significant demands from tribal leaders in order to demonstrate their loyalty to the tribe, including wearing tribe colors, displaying tribe emblems and flags, and changing aspects of their life to conform to the tribal leader's statements about what is right and good and proper. Quite a bit of money can be spent on this. And, at an extreme, some humans go looking for a tribe that promises more, and demands more from them. It's a continuum.
dccoolgai 4y ago
They do it very gradually: from what I understand, the first time you meet them they use a device called an e-meter and take a fake "reading" and then give you some common sense advice. They don't tell you about Xenu until 4 years later when you're estranged from all your friends and emptied your bank account. See: 1. boiling frog syndrome and 2. sunk cost fallacy.