(originally launched into cyberspace on 03/22/2007)Dear Subscriber,
Most of us have experienced that odd phenomenon of learning a new
word, and then having it pop up all over the place. (This is really
about perception: we just don't notice it everywhere until we know
what it means.) Well, since finishing my book, "How To Be a
Successful Tyrant," I feel as if I'm constantly seeing examples of
the exact tactics I describe in the book, sometimes even using the
exact WORDS the book uses. (Hmmm, maybe the politicians bought it.)
Just about every time I read a story in the paper, or hear a
talking head on the TV, I feel like shouting "Yeah, like that! A
fine example of pro-tyranny indoctrination!"
Well, someone sent me something I just had to mention here. It is
an expose on one of the most powerful and essential ingredients to
any totalitarian regime: thought control via indoctrination. AFTER
you watch the trailer (if you can) on their web site, read the
following excerpts, which are from my "Tyrant" book. But first,
visit
www.indoctrinate-u.com .
(Incidentally, if you stay on this list long enough, and do lots of
cutting and pasting, you might be able to reconstruct my entire
book from the excerpts I quote, without having to buy the dang
thing. But for those of you who want to do it the easy way, you can
get it pre-assembled for $17, including shipping, by going to the
www.tyrantbook.com web site.)
Now, on with the excerpts. See how well they match what the
documentary is about. Remember, this book is addressed to the
aspiring tyrant:
- ----------< begin quote >-----------
The two primary means by which the proper indoctrination can be
delivered are: 1) the "education" system, and 2) the media. The
education system includes everything from pre-school to college.
....
Almost as important as getting your message out is getting it out
in such a way as to give the impression that the message is not
coming from you. The peasants perceive it very differently when
you suggest that your power should increase, and when an apparently
objective "concerned citizen" suggests the same thing. ...
One effective method of propaganda does not deal with what is said
but with what is NOT discussed. The range of opinions the peasants
are exposed to has an enormous impact on what they will perceive as
reasonable. Peasants have few ideas of their own, so if they are
exposed to only two "different" views, BOTH of which support your
plans for control, they will almost certainly think only about
WHICH pro-tyranny viewpoint they like better, rather than being
original enough to decide that neither of the presented viewpoints
makes sense.
"In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a
multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who
are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their
own." [Alexis de Tocqueville]
The peasants must feel they have a choice of what to believe, so
the message must look like a "debate" instead of a sermon.
However, the "debate" should be so limited that anything even
approaching an anti-tyranny opinion must be seen as outside the
realm of rational debate.
"The most successful tyranny is not the one that uses force to
assure uniformity, but the one that removes awareness of other
possibilities." [Alan Bloom]
....
You should constantly spread the message that anyone who opposes
your plans is either an idiot, evil, or both. A "rebuttal" as lame
and substance-free as "You can't really believe that," coming from
someone who appears to be informed and intelligent, can make most
peasants back down from their true beliefs. Demeaning and
insulting an idea may not make all the peasants change their minds,
but it will make most refrain from voicing the opinion themselves.
After all, who wants to announce an opinion that "those in the
know" say is stupid? And when hardly anyone feels self-confident
enough to state the "unapproved" belief, hardly anyone hears it
being stated, and as a result everyone concludes that hardly anyone
holds that belief.
....
In addition to belittling the opinions of your opponents, be sure
also to frequently demonize those who hold those opinions. The
moment you question people's motives, they will almost always shift
to defending themselves instead of arguing their original point.
Someone who opposes your attempts to become an enforced "charity"
monopoly (via forced wealth redistribution) should be accused of
wanting the poor to starve. Those who oppose your take-over of the
health care industry should be accused of not caring about people
who get sick. Those who oppose peasant disarmament should be
accused of not being concerned about crime. Those who don't want
to be extorted by you should be portrayed as "greedy" and not
wanting to pay their "fair share."
....
Peasants don't like to think for themselves. They like to be told
what to think, after which they feel "informed" because they can
spout back the tripe spoon-fed to them by their betters. That is
what so-called "experts" are for: to tell the masses what they
should think. ... It is amazing how an utterly idiotic message can
be persuasive if the messenger appears credible and knowledgeable.
"Today we are delighted to have in our studios Professor Eugene
Wellington Horglesnunkle, Ph.D., M.D., A.B.C., to give a
nonsensical and long-winded explanation of why government should
control more aspects of our lives."
- -----------< end quote >----------
I'm not sure exactly what all the folks at
www.indoctrinate-u.combelieve in, and I'm so "fringe" that it's almost a statistical
certainty that I would disagree with whatever the politics of the
makers of the film might be. However, in their objection to thought
control disguised as "education," I'm with them all the way. It's
nice to see things like this and Aaron Russo's "America: Freedom to
Fascism" (
www.freedomtofascism.com ) getting a little contrary
viewpoint out there, despite the whining of the state-worshipers.
(Notice that on the
www.indoctrinate-u.com web site there is a way
to request a screening of the movie in your area, which I've
already done.)
Though it's included above, I'll end this message with one of my
favorite quotes. It's gruesomely accurate, and painfully relevant
in modern America:
"The most successful tyranny is not the one that uses force to
assure uniformity, but the one that removes awareness of other
possibilities." [Alan Bloom]
Sincerely,
Larken Rose
www.larkenrose.com
