virus: Subliminal

Richard Brodie (richard@brodietech.com)
Mon, 12 Jan 1998 08:14:18 -0800


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There seems to be some confusion as to the meaning of the word "subliminal."
Understandably, some participants in this discussion who take the word to
mean "unable to be perceived," correctly but trivially point out that if
something cannot be perceived then it cannot have an effect on anyone. Few
dispute this.

However, the more useful meaning of "subliminal" is "beneath the level of
conscious awareness." From this perspective, I continue to assert that most
memes are spread subliminally. This is not to say that the process is always
deliberate. But it can be.

Techniques such as those described in my book VIRUS OF THE MIND and
Cialdini's book INFLUENCE do work. Feynman's tactics are just the beginning.
For some, it may be more comfortable for them to shut out this information
than go through the uncomfortable process of changing their world view. But
I didn't expect to find anyone like that in this Church.

Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie
Author, "Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme"
http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/votm.htm
Visit Meme Central! http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/meme.htm