Anti-Educational Technologies
©2008 by Michael
Riversong
Three technologies generally
make education impossible. Their effect consistently is to
constrict perceptual ability, limit comprehension, and reduce memory.
These phenomena, among others, happen with all three of the
technologies mentioned.
Drugs
To most people, it would seem obvious that using brute force to make a
body learn would not yield good results. But a large number of
educators in current society appear to have no observatonal powers
whatsoever, and thus condone the use of many poisonous substances in
order to accomplish just such a use of force. The fact that these
substaces are often chemically related to illegal substances does not
bother them a bit. Keep in mind that just because a student has
gotten a good grade is no reason to assume anything has been learned.
Of course, some students dislike the effects of educational drugs
so much, that they "cheek" them, sell them off to other students, and
work harder. Everyone gets a clear message that using drugs to
solve
problems is acceptable. Many resources exist in terms of working
against the use of drugs in education. Foremost would be Citizens Commission on Human Rights.
Some commentary files regarding commonly used legal and illegal drugs
have been written up. These are in text file form. If you
want any of these files, write to Drug Info Pacs for details.
Hypnosis
With a long history throughout many civilizations, one
would think that hypnosis should be safe and wholesome. It's not.
The entire premise of hypnosis must be questioned. It is,
by one definition, the process of reducing perception in order to more
easily manipulate the mind in some desired manner. There are many
ways to do this, and the usual result is called a "trance" state.
In its various forms it has historically been used to repress
memories, recall memories, blunt the impact of traumas, induce traumas,
and do many other such opposing actions.
Many case histories have been observed over time. Typically a
hypnotic suggestion may be given and then forgotten for many years.
It is generally filed below the level of waking consciousness.
As such, it has the potential to combine with other material
stored in the same manner. This could cause any number of
unexpected effects, including allergies, psychosomatic illnesses, and
obsessions. It can be extremely difficult to trace back the
material introduced under hypnosis, and separate it from other
material. Since psychoanalysis is also inexact, finding the
troublesome material through that means can be difficult to impossible.
Some of the most damaging hypnotic material often relates to
commands and suggestions concerning success and motivation, since this
can all be equated with personal survival.
Studying the references given below should help. There are many
more available, but time to construct this list is currently limited.
So do not regard the list as complete in any way.
Hypnotic Realities
Milton H. Erickson, Ernest L. Rossi, & Sheila I. Rossi 1976
It
is interesting to read the exact words of the person who became perhaps
the world's greatest expert on hypnosis. He discovered some
techniques early in life as a way to relieve the pain resulting from
polio. Interestingly enough, you will often find him ambivalent
as to the effectiveness or value of various techniques, which is one of
the advantages of studying this book.
The Structure of Magic
Richard Bandler & John Grinder 1975
Frogs into Princes
Richard Bandler & John Grinder 1979
These "fathers" of Neuro-Linguistic programming studied Erickson's work
and then went off on their own. They achieved spectacular results
while keeping patients fully conscious.
Unlimited Power the new science of personal achievement
Anthony Robbins 1986
After
studying with John Grinder, Robbins made new discoveries of his own and
eventually became one of the most well-known self-help leaders in the
USA. Part of his premise, stated in seminars and this book, is
that most people move around in a state of nearly perpetual hypnosis.
What is necessary to break out of this state, and achieve
anything worthwhile, is to learn specific techniques that have in
common the increasing of awareness in various ways.
Dianetics: The Original Thesis
Dianetics: Evolution of a Science
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
L. Ron Hubbard 1950
In
these three books we have massive amounts of data making a case against
hypnosis or any other technology that suppresses perception. This
data was built systematically, and the ways in which it was gathered
were made clear. In fact, hypnosis in various forms was used in
some of the research. Its results as reported in these books are
of great interest. Recently, new editions of these books were
published. Using the newest editions is recommended because study
has been greatly facilitated with glossaries and clear layout.
Electronic Mind Control
Little is being said about this subject here. If you happen to
locate an inventor who is enthusiastically pursuing this, do whatever
you can to socially isolate him and stop his efforts. Make sure
the only people in his life are caring and compassionate, preferably
religious people. Look for telltale statements such as "enhancing
the operation of neurotransmitters." Someone who would put large
amounts of work
into this is deluded and antisocial. We have enough problems
already.
If one must study this subject, the book Oblivion America at the Brink by T.E. Beardon is recommended.