Mind Control Delusions and the Web

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.'"

Comments

Filed Under the NYT's "Fashion & Style?"

[eldavojohn]

I mean, I'm not a huge fan of psychology myself but for the New York Times to file this under Fashion & Style gives me the impression that all the cool kids are joining gang stalking support groups ... makes one wonder what will the next fad be?

The exception accounts for rituals of religious faith, for example.

Remember, it's fashionable to be a nutcase, to claim people are out to get you, to believe you're being persecuted & suppressed--just look at Tom Cruise.

It's been pointed out before but the internet is a very real, very powerful, very double-edged communications tool.

Re:Filed Under the NYT's "Fashion & Style?"

[77Punker]

If you look at how people outside Scientology treat the cult's victims (Tom Cruise) like lepers instead of offering an outside world of love and compassion, maybe it does make sense for him to think that the world is out to get him.

What people in cults need is to feel welcomed into the world outside the cult; otherwise, they'll just get pushed farther into their fantasy world.

Re:Filed Under the NYT's "Fashion & Style?"

[Stanislav_J]

What I don't get is how Xenu and his nukes is treated as bunk, but the invisible man in the sky who can hear a billion people whisper to him at the same time is treated like a celebrity who dare not be questioned by anyone who wants to run for elected office in America.

Because the Christian delusion has many things going for it: a long history, vast numbers, and, yes, money and influence. It is also well-integrated into Western culture at large; think of all the music, art, and philanthropy that has been influenced by Christianity. Plus whereas many delusions produce fear, paranoia, and anxiety, the Christian message also provides comfort, a reason to go on, and answers to those deep, dark questions that have always plagued mankind. Seriously. Many of us on Slashdot look askance at faith, but for someone who is not very rational and emotionally hurting, Christianity can be a very seductive philosophy. Science says that we are merely super-intelligent animals who arose by chance, that the universe serves no particular purpose or has any meaning for its existence, and that when we die, we cease to exist. Contrast that against the notion of being a special creation in a universe run by a beneficent God who cares about us and listens to us, and being rewarded after a brief struggle on this planet with eternal life in paradise. It doesn't matter that one happens to be scientific and reasoned while the other is based on pure blind faith: which worldview do you think is easier to "market" to "consumers?"

Re:Filed Under the NYT's "Fashion & Style?"

[xolo]

What I don't get is how Xenu and his nukes is treated as bunk, but the invisible man in the sky who can hear a billion people whisper to him at the same time is treated like a celebrity who dare not be questioned by anyone who wants to run for elected office in America.

Maybe because that statement is misrepresenting theistic belief to make it sound silly? Theism is not "an invisible man in the sky." I am taking the statement literally here, that there is a human that lives in the upper atmosphere that cannot be detected by any known means, but does have the ability to open a one way communication channel with any of the earth's occupants.

When you say "invisible man in the sky" it makes theism sound absurd because if that's what theism was, it IS absurd.

But Xenu's nukes are not a misrepresentation of Scientology. They sound silly all on their own.

That's not a really good answer to your question, but that's where I see the difference.

Paranoia

[Applekid]

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

Re:Paranoia

[ShieldW0lf]

I don't know how anyone can be aware of such times as the Red Scare and McCarthyism, or the modus operatus of groups like the CIA and KGB, and yet believe that this doesn't happen to people. Not to say that everyone who thinks it's happening to them is right, but clearly, it happens to people all the time, sometimes for periods measured in years and decades.

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...

Re:Paranoia

[Psmylie]

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.

Re:Paranoia

[Joe Snipe]

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...

Politics

[Anonymous Coward]

It's not a delusion if other people also believe it?

That's not a definition of delusion. It's a political step to avoid annoying religious people. They are no less deluded for it.

Oh, now a politically-motivated definition doesn't stand up to analysis? Big surprise.

Not a delusion?

[VirginMary]

"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

Re:i'm insane?

[Anonymous Coward]

[snicker]

Whats wrong with these people?

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:But What Does That Mean?

[flynt]

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?