I was not familiar with this term when I came across it today. As I read more, I now see how horribly pervasive this is in our culture, subculture, and in numerous personal practices. I was surprised I had not run across the term menticide in my exploration of the psychological damage from cults eg. MAGA, and similar related topics like brainwashing, deprogramming, examination of those committed to conspiracy 'rabbit holes', numerous studies on different features/aspects of personal bias, the erosion of critical thinking skills, etc.)
So I performed a search on this topic on my computer so I will share select quotes from several Menticide article sources. I did sense a theme in all of them, which certainly comports with some my own observations and experiences.
The term menticide was coined by Joost Meerloo in The Rape of the Mind, a seminal work on mind control written 70 years ago. Meerloo, who studied Nazi interrogations and later Korean War brainwashing cases, described menticide as the systematic killing of independent, rational thought. It does not always require a prison cell or physical beatings, though despotic regimes certainly deploy such tactics.
The mechanism at work is not merely skepticism. It is a dark process of psychological breakdown and reprogramming called menticide - the killing of the mind.
In a free society, menticide operates by confusing the target audience, degrading anyone who questions that confusion, demanding the rejection of contrary evidence along with the cultivation of perpetual doubt. The goal is to render the victim complicit in the surrender of their rational mind.
On platforms like X, this process unfolds through prominent voices that seize on peripheral details and spin them into sweeping alternative theories. Social media has blown all this into another dimension. Online 'investigators' and certain podcasters function as the new commissars of doubt. The result is confirmation bias. New information cannot be processed on its merits, it must go through the filter of a predetermined narrative. This is classic menticidal technique - keep the subject constantly confused in the early stages, then make them complicit in their own psychological degradation.
Menticide and Its Role in Social Media
Menticide is a term used to describe the systematic, intentional undermining of a person’s or group’s mental independence, often through psychological manipulation that erodes autonomy, critical thinking, and consent
While related to “brainwashing,” menticide is framed as a deliberate, large-scale act — not just individual persuasion — often carried out by corporate or state-aligned media systems.
How Social Media Enables Menticide
Social media platforms have become a primary vector for menticide due to their design and governance:
Algorithmic manipulation: Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube use AI-driven algorithms to deliver content that reinforces existing beliefs, creating echo chambers and filter bubbles This limits exposure to diverse perspectives and deepens cognitive rigidity.
Sensationalism and outrage culture: Short-form, emotionally charged content (e.g., “rage bait”) is optimized for engagement, encouraging compulsive scrolling and reducing capacity for nuanced thought mediarevolution.org.AI narrative farms and synthetic media: Organized groups run multiple AI accounts to seed, steer, and swamp-like comment sections with coordinated messages, often to manufacture consensus or chaos
Echo chambers and polarization: Social media amplifies divisive narratives, framing “us vs. them” rhetoric that bypasses logic and fosters tribalism.
Censorship and suppression: Platforms may suppress contrarian views or flag dissenting content, reinforcing conformity to dominant narratives
Influencer and cultural manipulation: Celebrities and influencers set norms for beauty, success, and morality, while “cancel culture” instills fear of ostracization, leading to self-censorship
Examples in Modern Context
Propaganda and disinformation: Governments and corporations use coordinated messaging to control narratives, suppress dissent, or manipulate public opinion thrivewithmartin.com+1.Psychological warfare: In extreme cases, extremist groups or authoritarian regimes use isolation, emotional manipulation, and repetition to condition followers
Global scale: Oxford Internet Institute research found organized social media manipulation in 81 countries, with professionalized “cyber troops” running AI accounts to influence public discourse
Why it matters:
Menticide in social media is not accidental — it is by design in many cases. It can lead to:
Reduced critical thinking and problem-solving ability
Increased polarization and distrust
Erosion of personal autonomy and free expression
Manipulation of public opinion for political, commercial, or ideological gain
In short: Social media’s algorithmic, emotional, and networked nature makes it a powerful tool for menticide, enabling large-scale, covert manipulation of thought and belief at an industrial scale
Let me close with a quote from a practitioner/victim of menticide, when I questioned that person's sourcing, their unwillingness to examine the topic critically, or any effort to assist this person to identify (not even challenge) their confirmation bias. The person looked me dead in the eyes and said, "They said you would say that."
"It ain't what I don't know that gets me into trouble, it's what I know for sure, that ain't so."
- Mark Twain
That cadre made sure the knife stayed in and was twisted around in America's back following their callow U-turn/s ...
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One minor point of difference though - I don't believe it was the majority of the American populace who thought Jan. 6 was OK, and were who changed those guys' minds > It was the majority of the "Republican Party" that believed the J6 white-washing effort. And specifically, it was the most radical end of that (formerly not good but nearly so bad as at present) party who were the ones who would be showing up in primary, and general, elections.
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At the time that (as an estimate) equated +/- to 80% of the 45% who termed themselves Republicans >> meaning about 36% of the country. The other 20% percent of them who didn't go along with the election denial BS were promptly run out of town. Independents have since dropped off of that bandwagon at a 2 to 1 margin and renounced Trump (mainly due to the economy and tariffs). But unfortunately that group remained swayed just long enough - as you said, due in large part to the machinations of the likes of McConnell and Graham - to vote him into office again in 2024.
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Damn! I can't wait to be rid of the rest of these jokers / looters / evil, greedy & incompetent idiots !!
Lynsey and Mitch, that is, for their U-turn after Jan 6. Having had to run for their lives from a MAGA-crazed mob, they rightly condemned Trump and his white supremacist thugs in the days that followed. Then when the poll numbers started showing that a majority of Republicans still bought into the lies about a stolen election and thought the Jan 6 rioters (who, let's remembered, murdered a capital police officer, beating him to death with a fire extinguisher) were heroes and patriots.
What should have happened in the days that followed Jan 6 is that Trump should've been impeached and convicted and banned from holding any government office. That could've happened if Mitch and Lynsey had shown some backbone.
But it didn't, and here we are.
The old guard are shuffling off at a reassuring rate. Lindsey Graham has gone, Mitch McConnell may have gone or may simply have been miraculously transformed into a zombie. Who else is really, really old and unlikely to be viable for much longer? Obviously the orange turd is high up on this list and is likely in pole position.
What about "potential" violent crime?....
.....like wearing my Make America Grateful Again shirt and being called out for stealing slogans by a strapped red cap at the store?
Probably doesn't count. Im sure he was the exception. (insert eye roll here).
Still waiting for the military to roll into the actual dangerous places in cities rather than the financial districts. Roll into the hoods. Would make for must watch TV for some.
Fact is. trump and MAGA are solely responsible for the deepening divide that plagues this country with all the exaggerated "crisises." And, I fear, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
So I started blasting lol.
Edit. Saw videos of the National Guard in DC cleaning up trash (no. Not that kind. Actual trash.)
I'm good with that.
Edit. Ive seen Kensington videos. Doesn't look great but yet a lot of fent users.
Those should be easy to round up and sent to......I dont know. But they would be gone. So yay?
Why do we have the police when we have the MIGHTY UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND ICE ICE BABY TO QUELL THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTRY THEY WERE SWORN TO PROTECT!!!!
Yeah. "Take a step back. Feel better?" - Bob Weir.
Thank God I dont live in Florida and have small children....
....they now have the unique status of being the first state to effectively end all vaccine mandates for schoolchildren.
Their dumbass surgeon general equates it to "slavery." There's that exaggeration. Again.
Guess they are trying to keep up with Oklahoma. Ten Commandments in every school room and trying to use the Bible as facts when trump has broken pretty much every one. Makes sense.
And dont get me started regarding Idaho.
Maybe focus on the out of control insurance rates there in Florida if you can find an insurance company that will cover you.
They are also busy painting over rainbow crosswalks.
We have a republican governor here as well. Dumb as a doorknob. But ex-cop, soooo.
My capcha was crosswalk. Perfect.
Face it. If your not white, male, straight, Christian and you can prove you are an American citizen after you get shoved into a random car for no reason, you have a fucking target on your back. Its only a matter of time. Praise trump and Jesus in that order.
Save this post and mark my words.
I feel that I need to repeat myself....
.....Florida. Is ending vaccine mandates for schoolchildren.
I dont know about YOU, but Im not a fan of smallpox, measles and polio and stuff.
Pro-life??????
Liars.
Empathy is a strange thing. This will not affect me. However. I worry about the kids who have idiots for parents.
Probably won't sleep well tonight. Again.
Guess I should take up the mantra of "Fuck you. I got mine." But I can't.
I was raised right.
Just another brick in the dystopian wall, Vguy
NG?
Nein, danke.
Fascism is here, folks. NG in cities isn't temporary. It will further serve the needs of that Ubercreep.
Remember "government overreach" wailing during Covid?
We now have the government's finger in our collective bunghole, and they're stretching it out for the iron sausage.
Fighting crime
Has never worked. Some would say that by fighting anything you are empowering the thing you are fighting against.
I doubt Batman would agree.
Too late...
It took so long to get here, their not turning back!
No stop signs, no divided lines very few rules too guide!
The thing...
Alot of the violent crime (wars) that has gone on for years, they are the same people complaining how bad the world is, and we would all love too change the world!
Violence too fight violence!
I can't see much difference between the dark and the light.
On another note
Release the JE files!
or as adrian henri put it..
Help us smash the Vietcong
Batman
Help us show them that they're wrong
Batman
Help us spread Democracy
Get them high on L.S.D.
Make them just like you and me
Batman
Crime
Like prostitution, will never completely go away.
Income disparity, extreme poverty, drug addiction (relax.. hard drugs people), hopelessness, child abuse (and abuse in general including physical and mental abuse) and greed are all prime contributors. Policing is mainly recursive; it goes into effect after the crime has been committed. True there is deterrence, probation, and incarceration, but it only catches crimes that have been committed or crimes in progress (rare).
Income disparity is going the wrong way, especially right now. Child abuse, etc. is something that society can at least make incremental gains. Locking people up is a paradox; it both helps and hurts. It keeps hardened criminals off the streets at least temporarily, but recidivism rates are high and who wants to hire a convicted felon (which sets off a vicious downward spiraling circle for which there is no escape), plus it breaks up families and contributes to hopelessness. It's nice to see people like Ted Bundy stay off the streets (except for his six-day escape from jail).
The Roe v. Wade decision and loosening of birth control may have contributed to the decrease in crime in the U.S. during the 1990s and 2000s, primarily by reducing the number of unwanted children who would likely have grown up in circumstances leading to higher crime rates as adults. I don't think this can be proven and you don't have to agree with it, but it's certainly food for fodder. If you've ever witnessed a family where the parents either don't give a shit, don't have time, are incompetent parents or god forbid abusive, the children eventually grow into adults...
A complex issue
Regardless of politics, we are all getting used by money and professional politicians when they turn each of us against the other side. We should all try very hard to be open minded, polite and considerate as best we can. We are much more similar than disparate, especially us music freaks. No need to be pulled by artificial means to the extreme edges of ideas and policies or as they used to say in Joe's Garage, don't you boys know any nice songs.
Have a good day all. As Jerry used to sing, In this world of trouble, we've to love one another...
Prostitution....
....perfectly legal one county over from here!
Went one time when I was young during a bachelor party that got crazy.
Definitely an experience.
Crime
Some activities are crimes whether they are legal or not.
Like...
Like ticket prices for the Golden Gate Park affair?
Ticketbastard....
....comes immediately to mind.
Also. Getting rid of free parking here in Vegas.
Rebranding
An executive order is being signed soon, I think today, changing DOD's secondary title from the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
This is stupid and dangerous, but.. hey... at least it costs a lot. An unnecessary expense on the backs of weary taxpayers and what do we get out of it? Fear and hatred - seems to be a trend. The phrase "Unintended Consequences" comes to mind. This will be noticed and not appreciated.
Senator McConnell said this yesterday, "Trump’s second presidency is ‘most dangerous period’ since second world war." He states Tariffs, a comparison to the Smoot Hawley Act, and isolationist policies similar to those of the 1930's as the reason. He is right. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
Then there is the spectacle in the Senate yesterday as the Secretary of Health and Human Services disgraced himself in front of the country and the world showing the weak and rudderless state of our country's healthcare infrastructure. The guy is a hack and a loon and should resign or be fired. Incompetence on full display not just with it's leader, but with the people he has hired.
This is not who we are. This is what authoritarian rule looks like when competence is replaced by blind loyalty. Danger and stupidity on full display combined with an inability to change course. Yuk, but this is where we are.
Remember the quote, "We hire only the best people?" Applebees hires better people.
This is different. This is not who we are. Department of War. Please.... Also, be very careful what you ask for.
The Universe Made of mostly Dark Matter,
just cause you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.
And Now, This
I swear hardly a day goes by when there isn't yet another scandal that, if it occurred during any other presidency, would be the story of the decade..
NYT reports today that in 2019 Trump sent Navy SEALS to shore in North Korea on an ill-advised espionage mission that went bad and resulted in the killing of what was evidently a boatload of NK civilians. Which could easily have resulted in a war with North Korea, a nuclear power with missiles capable of reaching the West Coast. And which, contrary to our laws, was never disclosed to Congress.
Can you imagine if Biden did that? Or Obama? But with Trump it's just yet another story in the endless series of outrages in which people are killed, laws are broken, yada yada who even cares anymore.
Wow.
Just...wow.
how is that schmuck still in office? how?
how did he get PUT INTO OFFICE for a SECOND time?
America...you disappoint me greatly.
Please deliver us from this nightmare, Lord.
Yea
Good grief
Please stop trying to make us great again.
Just stop. Play some golf. Entertain cross dressers at the Kennedy Center. Toss rolls of paper towels at random people outside the white house. But please stop.
"Contrary to our laws"....
....yeah. About that.
They. Don't. Care. About. Laws. Checks and balances? Pish Posh. Waste of time and effort. Lets go paint over some rainbow crosswalks.
I care Crow.
Like MAGA says, "If you dont like this country, just leave!"
You know, its feasible to love your country, but despise its leaders, correct?
I hate that worn out phrase with a passion.
Department of War
I've just seen about that on the news. One of the worst examples of bombastic rebranding I have ever come across.
Pete Seeger 1955
"When will they ever learn?"
Breaking news!....
....there is apparently talk of a UFC cage match event on the White House lawn.
The weigh-ins are slated to be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Im sure our so-called Department Of Education pick had a decision in that.
End of report, because I really have nothing else to add except, I'm sorry world. Most of us agree with you that we are becoming a caricature of ourselves. Stop this stupid ride already. Felon-in-Chief is AOK to some, and I really don't understand.
Edit. They tore up Jackie's Rose Garden and poured cement in its place. Sterile. Bland. And boring. Strong work.
I guess I ended up having more stuff to say. It happens from time to time.
To add to the bizarreness
I actually agree with Marjorie Taylor Greene
She is calling for the release of the Epstein files
Strange days indeed
Dept of....War?
We are indeed becoming caricatures of our selves V. What's even more foolish than a WH lawn cage fight, or the golf cart parking lot that was once a rose garden, is a man desperate to get a Nobel PEACE prize changes the name of the DoD to Department of War? I mean, that just doesn't even make sense to anyone living outside of FOX "News" world does it?
Department of War & Noble Prize
Name change = Pure Imperialist sentiment (and, obviously, Intent)
Sorry DJT: Plain & Simple - The Nobel Peace Prize will never be awarded to one who authorized, and further authorizes, the assassination of civilians in international waters (even if they were purported to be 'bad guys', etc.)
All this stuff is just $%@*ing! ridiculous ...
What will a name.....
change?
Or is there any intention?
War, what is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
Colin,
Agree 100 %!
So, what's behind the name change?
Hope everyone has a great Saturday!....
....even though the POTUS just posted on Truth Social that "Chicago is about to find out why it's called the Department Of WAR." War all caps of course.
The president threatening a US city is wild. Hes such a pathetic bitch.
The smell of fascism is getting stronger by the day my friends. Keep both eyes and ears open and stay alert.
Anyways. Im going to make some empinadas now.
Fascism is full on here
No one is doing ANYTHING to reign him in
Truly unbelievable
Take a few minutes and..
look up the lyrics to Bob Dylan's the times they are achangin'
Read them. Don't listen to the song first, just read the lyrics first.
There are a lot of human traits I loathe....
....smugness is one of them.
And this administration has that in spades.
There's a lot of human traits I like
Respect, equality and tolerance among them.
This is not who we are.
Same old
He very well could have named it Department Of Peace?
Department of Peace?
Calling it that could help him in his pathetic obsession to win the Nubile Piece Prize.
Simonrob for the win!
Nubile Piece Prize
Release the JE files now!
Nubile Piece Prize
Hahaha! yeah baby going too cry till he gets one.
Surprised he didn't if it would help him?
Broadcasters covering the tennis open....
....were instructed by team trump to filter out the boos when he appears and does his fist pump/thumbs up/jerking off two giraffes shtick.
Didn't matter. The boos rained down.
As they should.
Edit. He was apparently invited by Rolex. Boooo.
I was there
At the open would have been many many Bronx salutes but ticket holders like myself where forced to wait for quite a long time finally got in half way thru first set. Look at that sounds like a dead show :-) He is and has always been a complete f’ing loser. Puke! Fun Fact I walked right past his sister Elizabeth and her husband on my way to the subway. NYC is soooo bad his sister is a neighbor.
Re: JJC
Reminds me of that bumper sticker, We Are Everywhere. Very cool.
Or, another bumper sticker, Who is the President of the United States and why does he keep following me?
Trolling
I love the smell of deportations in the morning?
"Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of War"
This is the stuff of dictators. The US Government now owns 10% of Intel. Say what?
This is not ok. This is the will of one person and is not who we are. POTUS is spending his time internet trolling to draw attention away from whatever is in the Epstein files that could be damaging and the economic problems that are beginning to unfold. He has cheapened the presidency and shortchanged the country.
Truly despicable comments from "him"
Logic of destroy the country in order to save it
Re: Jim's Last Comment
Agree - The stench of autocracy, ineptitude, and corruption is getting overwhelming.
He has completely defiled the presidency and is presently looting the country >> Fixed that last line up a bit for ya ...
; )
Stench
We could talk about corruption instead.
"It's not my signature"
Some people believe him
Not me
Foghorn Leghorn,
I say, I say, I say boy I did not sign that card!
Not just America
One of my friends was arrested over the weekend for taking part in a peaceful protest in London. She is about 83 years old. She has told me she is very pleased to have been there to experience what is going on first hand. Maybe this post should be on the inspirations board - but to me it is shameful what happened to her.
4winds for the win!
My giggling will last all day
It's obvious
We learned nothing from WWII