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Dark Persuasion

A History of Brainwashing from Pavlov to Social Media

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Dark Persuasion

By: Joel E. Dimsdale
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
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About this listen

A harrowing account of brainwashing's pervasive role in the 20th and 21st centuries

This gripping book traces the evolution of brainwashing from its beginnings in torture and religious conversion into the age of neuroscience and social media. When Pavlov introduced scientific approaches, his research was enthusiastically supported by Lenin and Stalin, setting the stage for major breakthroughs in tools for social, political, and religious control.

Tracing these developments through many of the past century's major conflagrations, Dimsdale narrates how when World War II erupted, governments secretly raced to develop drugs for interrogation. Brainwashing returned to the spotlight during the Cold War in the hands of the North Koreans and Chinese. In response, a huge Manhattan Project of the Mind was established to study memory obliteration, indoctrination during sleep, and hallucinogens. Cults used the techniques, as well. Nobel laureates, university academics, intelligence operatives, criminals, and clerics all populate this shattering and dark story - one that hasn't yet ended.

©2021 Joel E. Dimsdale (P)2021 Tantor 20th Century Elections & Political Process Psychology Mental Health Medical History Social Media Psychology

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Profile Image for Katie Crothers

pretty dry. not that engaging.

struggled to finish. some interesting facts but not very engaging and wouldn't recommend... ...

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