Brainwashing; the history and complexity of coercive persuasion

Rebecca Lemov, professor of the history of science at Harvard University and author of “The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-persuasion,” talks about the origins of brainwashing. The term ‘brainwashing,’ was first used to describe what happeded to American POW's during the Cold War in Korea. After enduring terrible conditions and indoctrination by their Chinese captors, 21 American prisoners of war refused to return home, believing that life in China and under communism would be better. Lemov explains that our psyches can be manipulated and it is that the same malleability of the mind which helps us to grow and evolve also makes us extremely vulnerable to coercisve persuasion. Lemov also reflects on some of the more subtle 'soft brainwashing' techniques that we’re exposed to today, techniques that are primarily fed to us through our screens. 

Guest:

Rebecca Lemov 

Professor of the history of science at Harvard University and author of  “The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-persuasion.” 

KCRW's Life Examined is a one-hour weekly show exploring science, philosophy, faith — and finding meaning in the modern world. The show is hosted by Jonathan Bastian. Please tune in Sundays at 9 a.m., or find it as a podcast.