To reemphasize rhetoric, hyperbole, rigmarole, and other crap, it is easy to see how some people can fall for these things – especially when they are in crisis, but also when they don’t want to face things about themselves.

Think about it. A teen will fall in with a gang because they tell him/her that they are family and will take care of them, listen to their problems, etc. But the price of admission is steep. An emotionally or physically abused person will turn to prostitution because the pimp has convinced him/her that s/he was special and gave gifts until it’s time to pay up. People in turmoil, hungry, homeless, or otherwise vulnerable believe what someone says when they provide food and shelter or a job and show kindness – until they realize they’re in a cult.

Brainwashing has been easy for people who were vulnerable in some way because the brainwasher knew how to address their most basic needs or self-esteem issues. And they became successful because in the process of cajoling or spoiling or listening, they were also speaking and whispering about their way being the best thing for the brainwashed. It only works when you can be erased and the brainwasher can take over, though.

They also knew that some people don’t like to do their own due diligence (laundry) so they find others to lay it at their feet so they can avoid the chore and also blame that the laundry is still dirty. People still blame “them” or bad luck or family for their dirty laundry.

A new word for brainwashing is called gaslighting. For those who don’t know, gaslighting is a method that someone uses to convince you that your reality or perceptions are false, and then of course bend them to the gaslighter’s way of thinking. It’s just as effective as brainwashing without using the word brainwashing. The difference? The focus is sometimes on people’s memories – like when people started “remembering” that they were molested or abused as a child.

In all these circumstances, the price that people pay for the brainwashing is themselves. Maybe people ought to learn to do their own laundry. I don’t know how brainwashing or gaslighting can be avoided because people are always going to have issues. It’s just that some people learn independence and take the loads to the washer themselves.