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Mind Control Delusions and the Web

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the advertisers-soon-to-monetize-the-voices-in-my-head dept.

biohack writes "An article in the New York Times provides interesting insight into online communities of people who believe that they are subjected to mind control. 'Type "mind control" or "gang stalking" into Google, and Web sites appear that describe cases of persecution, both psychological and physical, related with the same minute details — red and white cars following victims, vandalism of their homes, snickering by those around them.' According to Dr. Vaughan Bell, a British psychologist who has researched the effect of the Internet on mental illness, '[the] extent of the community [...] poses a paradox to the traditional way delusion is defined under the diagnostic guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association, which says that if a belief is held by a person's "culture or subculture," it is not a delusion. The exception accounts for rituals of religious faith, for example.'"

7 of 631 comments (clear)

  1. Paranoia by Applekid · · Score: 5, Funny

    Being paranoid doesn't necessarily mean they aren't really out to get you.

    --
    More Twoson than Cupertino
    1. Re:Paranoia by Psmylie · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know, people with superior hearing hear people who have bad hearing talking about them as they walk down the street all the time? Many if not most people make idle commentary about people passing by when they are bored, and people with bad hearing make false assumptions about how far their voice carries. Happens to me regularly... someone will make a comment about "the guy with the sideburns" to their friend, then I look em in the eyes, and they get a guilty look on their face. Really quite annoying, and I can see how it would drive a more mentally fragile person around the bend...

      My wife thinks she can whisper. She can't. I've finally convinced her to stop trying, when it comes to saying things about other people that she doesn't want them to hear.

      --

      psmylie's dictionary: Godzillion (noun) Any number large enough to destroy Tokyo

    2. Re:Paranoia by Joe+Snipe · · Score: 5, Funny

      someone will make a comment about "the guy with the sideburns" to their friend, then I look em in the eyes

      Have you thought about getting rid of the sideburns? Just sayin...

      --
      Sometimes, life itself is sarcasm...
  2. Not a delusion? by VirginMary · · Score: 5, Funny

    "if a belief is held by a person's "culture or subculture,it is not a delusion. The exception accounts for rituals of religious faith, for example.'"

    Reminds me of my favourite quote:
    "When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion, it is called religion."
          -- Robert M. Pirsig, author of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

    --
    When 1person suffers from a delusion,it is called insanity.When many people suffer from a delusion,it is called religion
  3. Re:i'm insane? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    [snicker]

  4. Whats wrong with these people? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If people are leaving garbage in your yard, honking and yelling at your house, following you, tailgating you, etc, etc... did you ever think that maybe it's because you're an asshole?

    And that's the main problem with assholes, they don't even realize that they're assholes. They think people are out to get them all the time for no reason.

    If people are out to get you, maybe there IS a reason.

  5. Re:But What Does That Mean? by flynt · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sorry, you seem to know what you're talking about, and can express yourself clearly and effectively, could you please find another web site to post on?