Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ClearSky24

(230 posts)
Sat Feb 22, 2020, 08:54 AM Feb 2020

The age of Trump/Putin: Four stages of mass brainwashing used by the KGB.

https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/34-years-ago-a-kgb-defector-described-america-today

34 years ago, a KGB defector chillingly predicted modern America

A disturbing interview given by a KGB defector in 1984 describes America of today and outlines four stages of mass brainwashing used by the KGB.

Bezmenov described this process as "a great brainwashing" which has four basic stages.

Bezmenov explained that the most striking thing about ideological subversion is that it happens in the open as a legitimate process. "You can see it with your own eyes," he said. The American media would be able to see it, if it just focused on it.

Here's how he further defined ideological subversion:

"What it basically means is: to change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that despite of the abundance of information no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their families, their community, and their country."

Bezmenov made the point that the work of the KGB mainly does not involve espionage, despite what our popular culture may tell us. Most of the work, 85% of it, was "a slow process which we call either ideological subversion, active measures, or psychological warfare."

Bezmenov described this process as "a great brainwashing" which has four basic stages. The first stage is called "demoralization" which takes from 15 to 20 years to achieve. According to the former KGB agent, that is the minimum number of years it takes to re-educate one generation of students that is normally exposed to the ideology of its country. In other words, the time it takes to change what the people are thinking.

In what is perhaps a most striking passage in the interview, here's how Bezmenov described the state of a "demoralized" person:

"As I mentioned before, exposure to true information does not matter anymore," said Bezmenov. "A person who was demoralized is unable to assess true information. The facts tell nothing to him. Even if I shower him with information, with authentic proof, with documents, with pictures; even if I take him by force to the Soviet Union and show him [a] concentration camp, he will refuse to believe it, until he [receives] a kick in his fan-bottom. When a military boot crashes his balls then he will understand. But not before that. That's the [tragedy] of the situation of demoralization."
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The age of Trump/Putin: Four stages of mass brainwashing used by the KGB. (Original Post) ClearSky24 Feb 2020 OP
K&R dweller Feb 2020 #1
Bah, years, it doesn't even take that long these days ck4829 Feb 2020 #2
started around the time of Rotten Ronnie Hermit-The-Prog Feb 2020 #3
K&R 2naSalit Feb 2020 #4

dweller

(23,558 posts)
1. K&R
Sat Feb 22, 2020, 10:47 AM
Feb 2020

recommended
considering the most recent news of russian interference, this WHOLE
article needs to be read by everyone here ... it's almost 2 years old, but describes where we are at present
thanks for posting it

✌🏼

ck4829

(34,966 posts)
2. Bah, years, it doesn't even take that long these days
Sat Feb 22, 2020, 10:52 AM
Feb 2020

Google search results are full of "Opinion sites that masquerade as news sites that confirm all my preconceived biases... and that must be the truth!"

Hermit-The-Prog

(33,019 posts)
3. started around the time of Rotten Ronnie
Sat Feb 22, 2020, 10:57 AM
Feb 2020

Before the current GOPers longed for the 1850s, the Reaganites longed for the good old days of the 1950s:

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The age of Trump/Putin: F...