Fighting Back Against Abuse of Behavioral Science

[Matthew]

Laura Dodsworth author of State of Fear, and behavioural scientist Patrick Fagan talk about the abuse of behavioural science, after coauthoring a new book on the same subject: Free Your Mind: The New World of Manipulation and How to Resist It.

They talk about how behavioural science, previously used by advertisers to make you buy their brand of cola, is used in force by the state and government on the people they serve.

Patrick makes the point behavioural science in advertising is self-transparent and obvious, therefore easier to mind-defend against, but used by the state against its people is not.

We have to defend ourselves.

"There are no Government White Knights, nobody is coming to save people from manipulation and propaganda." - Laura Dodsworth

Laura gives us advice on how to defend against being manipulated by quoting businessman Charlie Munger:

"The human brain is like a human egg; once the sperm gets in there's a shut-off device, no more sperm get into the human egg." - Charlie Munger

"We allow ourselves to be fertilized by an idea, and then we're not open minded to new ideas. But actually one of the best things you can do to free your mind is to consciously be open minded, and to take on new ideas and experiences." - Laura Dodsworth.

Patrick and Laura both remind us that all types of attempted influence is a type of behavioural manipulation, like their interview, and this very post. However, these are open and transparent - there is no trickery.

"I had a big epiphany; my freedom has been an illusion.

But my mind is my space, and I will do all I can to control my own mind." - Laura Dodsworth

Reclaim the brain.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=bQjhvncR5UU