Newsletter: Psychedelics, Psyops, and AI Insights
Exploring Healing, Truth, and Innovation in the Modern Age
Dear friends,
As you know, I’m fascinated by innovations in psychology; the emergence of psychedelics as a route to healing is something that could hold great hope but also great harm if used unethically. I recently spoke at an online seminar on psychedelics with Jules Evans, director of the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project; you can find more information about our talk below.
One of the more disturbing things happening around us is the prevalence of psyops, or psychological operations designed to warp our perception of the truth; I have created an important video and blog post explaining this further. I also have weighed in on the HBO “Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion” documentary with a short video describing this cult-like business.
I attended MIT’s “Imagination in Action” conference this past week, where I learned about LLMs (large language models) and a new foundational approach called LiquidAI. Several presenters were very excited to learn about my Influence Continuum and BITE Model and how it might be useful to help orient the architecture of AI development.
This week’s Influence Continuum podcast features Pamela Ryckman, who has written a new book about Candace Pert, a medical researcher who faced an uphill battle due to cult-like behaviors and dogmatic practices in her field.
My interview for the “Psychology Is” podcast has been posted online; scroll down for more information.
My talk at the psychedelic conference was a great success; after talking about my background and my indoctrination into the Moonies, we discussed how unethical, bad actors could use psychedelics to sway the thinking of their followers.
I was surprised by the HBO documentary on this business, which is run by a Trump supporter and modeled on the beliefs of Ayn Rand, who believed that greed is good and altruism evil - the opposite of what I believe is good for our earth and our continuation as a species. Let me know what you think.
In an era where information is as potent as any physical weapon, psychological operations (psyops) have become a cornerstone of national defense strategies. The U.S. Army’s approach to recruitment for its psyops division offers a stark illustration of the importance of these tactics. A recruitment video, described as “foreboding” by the Army Times, reveals the strategic depth and the intense nature of psychological warfare, underlining the tagline “Who’s pulling the strings?” This blog explores the implications of such recruitment strategies, the nature of psychological warfare, and the ethical considerations it raises.
Read the blog post and watch the video
I’m endlessly fascinated by Artificial Intelligence and what we can do with it to improve our lives, and I wasn’t disappointed with this year’s MIT Imagination in Action Conference. I met and spoke with many innovators and presenters, who were interested in how my work with the Influence Continuum and BITE model could be used to advance their AI models - all around, there were a lot of exciting conversations and developments going on!
Learn more about the conference
My guest on this episode of The Influence Continuum was Pamela Ryckman, who wrote the book Candace Pert: Genius, Greed, and Madness in the World of Science. Science and health institutions can mimic cult-like behaviors and dysfunctional systems when the structures within them become overly competitive and focused on limited resources to obtain professional goals. Ideals of collaboration for the good of the public can become crushed under systems of harmful competition and dogmatic attachments to old-fashioned ideas.
Listen to the podcast, below:
Host Nick Fortino and I spoke about how we are all vulnerable to cultic indoctrination, what mind control techniques look like, what the most potent lure for me was when I was recruited into the Moonies, the operations of cult recruiters, how it’s possible to plant an idea into someone’s unconscious mind, and a review of how my BITE model works. We finished with a statement of hope for the future.
As always, feel free to let us know what you think about these pieces, or what you’d like to see us talk about in the future. Thanks so much!
Unlock the Secrets of Authoritarian Control
Have you ever wondered how apparently well-adjusted individuals can become ensnared by the grip of mind control? Are you curious about the inner workings of cults and high-control groups? If so, our new course, "Understanding Undue Influence: The Essentials," will answer those questions and more.
This course explores the concept of the Influence Continuum, based on the BITE Model, encompassing Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional Control. By the course's end, you'll have the tools to spot the subtle signs of manipulation and shield yourself and your loved ones.
Take the first step towards gaining a deeper understanding of these complex dynamics and empower yourself.
Our Facebook group is growing and YOU are invited! Join us for insightful, respectful dialogue on cults, mind control, undue influence, authoritarianism, and much more. Together we can discuss what needs to be done to make a better world for all of us. We hope to see you there!