Steve Mensing, Editor
♦In recent months covert political persuasion groups are sprouting up all over North Carolina and especially in urban areas. They are funded by a “progressive entity” named Blueprint NC. Blueprint NC declares on their website: “Blueprint NC is a partnership of public policy, advocacy, and grassroots organizing nonprofits dedicated to achieving a better, fairer, healthier North Carolina through the development of integrated communications and civic engagement strategy.” However, several months ago it was revealed that their covert political persuasion groups are to launch a heavy-handed campaign against state and local elected officials. The actual goals of Blueprint NC were revealed by a leaked memo. (Memo posted at the bottom of this article) Their campaign, in their own words, is to “Eviscerate, Mitigate, Litigate, Cogitate, and Agitate” our state’s elected officials at every level and through any means necessary and available.
Locally, Blueprint NC is already at work using a front name and promoting a seemingly innocuous and positive sounding agenda. Their local group’s internet presence professes it has no particular leanings and welcomes folks from all sides of the political spectrum. It appeals to idealists and promotes working for the betterment of the community. Typically, this is the way many cults, both religious and political, bait and switch themselves into the community and past critical reasoning. “Help us lift up the planet.” “Let’s fight for education, jobs, the environment, and affordable healthcare for all.” These are reasonable desires. Yet education, for some progressives, means tossing more money at administrative bloat and at an over-priced office building. Affordable healthcare may spell major challenges to small businesses and produce little tangible lowering of healthcare costs.
A large number of covert cult persuasion techniques exist. They all block critical reasoning and undermine resistance to the group’s agendas and doctrines. Political cults and their covert persuasion techniques are most often delivered by a group of friendly and similar-minded people. Here’s a list of the most common ones:
Intensive study. In a closed information system (No outside influences and no opposing opinions) where only the group’s ideas are presented, folks may focus on certain ideas. Such study may last an entire weekend with few breaks. Little connection exists with the outside world. Food, water, and sleep may be minimal which can suppress critical thinking. Group pressure to conform may be present. Dissent may be brushed aside through changing the subject or moving rapidly along by the group leaders. Overly long study periods blocks critical thought.
Guilt as a manipulative tool. If someone begins to distract from the agenda, they are subtly scorned. “This for the children.” “You are against health?” “Do you want to fall into the same old racist trap?” “I’m deeply offended by those words.” Guilt is especially magnified in a large group setting where many may care about what others think.
The overuse of buzzwords, jargon, and group-speak. Using buzzwords, jargon, and group-speak helps “trainees” identify more with the group, lose their identity, and leave their critical thinking behind.
Experts may be trotted out to deliver the message. Frequently cults, both political and religious, may use doctors and ministers for their “authority”. What they say is more likely to be bought without closer examination especially in groups of nodding, agreeing, and clapping people.
Promoting “us against them” mentality helps build a group identity. The more someone identifies with the group the more they will become disidentified with themselves and their own thinking.
A group’s acceptance is a powerful manipulative lever. Persons who fear the loss of the group’s acceptance are less likely to offer opposing thoughts to the group. Any large group gathering has the capacity to turn someones critical thinking off. Many folks, especially those concerned about other’s approval, will trance out, become confused, and lose their critical faculties.
Shutting off outside influence. Blocking outside information from tv, media, friends, limits critical thinking. Isolating group members from the outside world insures a closed information system.
Hugging and shows of group acceptance. Creating a sense of belonging and acceptance for new members so they can relax their guard and be open to the group’s message.
Steady attack on beliefs and values without opposition.
Divide and conquer techniques. With these methods groups are divided up into smaller groups. A leader from the political cult runs each group and quashes any contrary thinking. The Delphi Technique is such an approach.
Using confusion to block critical thinking. Long rambling emotional speeches and discussions leaves the mind wide open and straining. New group-think ideas are more likely to be accepted without critical reasoning.
Disorientation in time. Removing clocks and watches. This time disorientation leads to confusion and undermines critical thinking.
No time spent alone will lead to blocking critical thinking.
Providing instruction in overly hot rooms. Heat can block critical thinking.
Criticism of group members to undermine their identity and self-acceptance. This makes members more open to the group’s agendas.
Public confession can be used to breakdown individuality and dissociate someone from their identity.
Group motion like swaying, dancing, and bouncing will disrupt critical thinking.
Emotionally charged rallies have a trance like effect. This is why folks often come away from rallies flying high on endorphins which flatten critical reason.
Using legitimate sounding front organizations. Front organizations are a covert way of introducing an organization’s ideas to persons who would normally balk at these ideas. “We’re here today to save Big Cats.”
Propaganda techniques. Propaganda closes down critical thinking and produces one-sided thinking.
BluePrint NC Memo: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2E5Ew6OLdElXzhRcUlNNHpLa2c/edit
Propaganda Techniques: http://rowanfreepress.com/2012/04/19/propaganda-the-art-of-hidden-persuasion/
