@roka @sim I'm not saying it's a positive thing.

Recently I read an article about an experiment in child psychology from the 1950s. The researchers put a marshmallow on a plate in front of various children, and told them that if they left it alone for fifteen minutes, another one would follow and they could eat both.

The children who waited (and therefore displayed a tendency toward delayed gratification) went on, over the course of MUCH further study and checking up, to achieve much better things in their lives. They were wealthier, happier, and more fulfilled, and usually had better marriages.

The second study was a two-parter. Children were given a small pack of crayons by an apologetic researcher, who promised that they'd "bring a better pack with more colours in half an hour." The reserachers kept their promise to some of the children, and broke it to others, "forgetting about them" and leaving them with only the small pack.

The marshmallow test was then repeated on these children. Those who had the crayon promise to them broken in the previous test were MUCH MORE LIKELY TO JUST EAT THE FIRST MARSHMALLOW - presumably not believing that the second one was coming at all.

This suggests how easy it is to FUCK UP SOMEONE'S LIFE just from a few encounters in their formative years. Imagine the damage that can be done by a neglectful parent - or even a well-meaning parent who just gets things slightly wrong.

Now imagine the potential for good - or harm - that comes from simply being exposed to regular life.

And NOW imagine the potential effect that a person can have on *themselves* through reinforcement, confirmation bias, etc.

My point is that if utilised properly, realising how malleable we are can be an important tool for self-actualisation. (For example, I feel RELIEVED when I realise a problem I'm having is merely psychological - because that means I can do something about it, immediately, on my own.)

But most of the time it's utilised haphazardly or badly and we can't turn it off. And that's pretty fucked up.

I hope you realise now that I wasn't advocating Jewish mind control.