Digital TV: Mind Control by the Sound of Silence

[PepperFritz]

This evidences a rather enormous assumption that all television - no matter the surface content - is not beaming other information as well. The fact of the matter is that it is programming - period - no matter the 'surface' content, other 'information' is being transmitted along with those 'pictures and sound' as well. To think otherwise is to ignore all evidence to the contrary.

No, I am fully aware of that, I should have made that clear. That is one of the reasons I limit my exposure to television (general lack of inclination is another reason). One or two hours a day is about my average, and not usually all in one sitting, as I also experience "discomfort" with longer exposure. I often go for days without watching it at all. However, my point is that I do not feel the need to completely isolate myself from that particular technology -- and thus deprive myself of the education/entertainment that it provides me -- as I know that knowledge and awareness protects:

Q: ...Is there any significance to the ID4 movie?
A: Sure.
Q: ...(L) Was there something subliminal in the
movie? That opened something?....
A: Sure.
Q: (L) And was this subliminal activity with the movie
designed to create an opening for this further...
A: Not for you, but for others.
Q: (L) Why? Do you mean me, personally, or us as a group?
(T) Well the movie didn't affect me.
A: Group.
Q: (L) What made us immune?
A: You already have the knowledge.
Q: (T) The movie wasn't meant for us; we already know. The
movie was meant for all of those who don't understand....
And you say that we are immune to it because we already have
knowledge....
A: Yes.

Fact is, almost EVERYTHING we encounter on a daily basis involves "programming" and subliminal influence -- TV, movies, radio, music, internet, cellphone towers, etc. While it is commonsense to try and limit our exposure, I don't think the answer is to fearfully isolate ourselves from them, and thus from the world around us. That's just not the message I get from the Cs, or from Gurdjieff. The message I get, and most strongly take to heart and practice, is KNOWLEDGE PROTECTS, IGNORANCE ENDANGERS.

 

[anart]

Well, to be specific, the C's were referring to a movie - not television, per se. So, would you be willing to turn off your television for one month? ;)

 

[Woodsman]

I remember trying to cancel my cable television subscription. It was very hard.

When it became clear to the representative on the phone that I wanted the cable cut and that no deal incentive or low, low price would change my mind, they finally did send a man over in a truck who disconnected the cable.

The funny part is that it must have been an old and defunct cable. --Because even after it had been physically disconnected, low and behold, the television still had thirty channels pumping through it. I was living with room mates at the time, (we'd all decided together that we could do without television and the cable bills), and when I asked if I should call the cable company to have them try again at disconnecting us, my room mates voted, "No. Let's just leave it if it's free."

So we still had television in our house, and avoiding it became a matter of will-power.

Luckily, life was more than full at that time with friends and work and interesting events, so I found it very easy to ignore the television. (Which was also kept off in a little ante room with uncomfortable furniture, so one had to really go out of the way to watch television.) I stopped watching altogether and life became noticeably more colorful and happy. I couldn't believe I'd had the time before to spend watching it with all the new adventures in my life. But it always struck me as telling that even after removing the formal incentives to the company, (money), that tentacle of the Matrix dropped its pretenses and fought against being let go of by simply refusing to go when asked. I'd be curious to know if other people have had similar experiences.

 

[PepperFritz]

Well, to be specific, the C's were referring to a movie - not television, per se.....

But the issue we are discussing -- i.e. the presence of subliminal programming underlying a screen-viewing experience -- is the same in both situations, no? Living in a semi-rural area, I haven't gone to see a film in a movie theatre for many years. Do you think there is a difference in the degree of subliminal programming involved in the following "ways" in which one can view a movie: (1) at a movie theatre, (2) on a DVD player, and (3) as a television broadcast? I wouldn't think so....

So, would you be willing to turn off your television for one month?

I don't feel any particular resistance to the idea. That's probably because (1) I don't spend that much time watching TV anyway (compared to most people); (2) I have had periods in my life when I didn't have a TV at all; and (3) I used to periodically go on "TV vacations" in the summertime, when my husband and I spend most of our summers up at our rather primitive cottage on Georgian Bay. I have a small television in my bedroom/office that I realized the other day hadn't been turned on in months. I also realize that I rarely watch TV alone, only with my housemate/cousin, Leslie, as a kind of "shared" activity. I'm wondering, just now, whether one might be more susceptible to the hypnotic effects of TV when watching alone, as opposed to with another "aware" person with whom you can talk about what you're watching....

I'd have a MUCH harder time giving up the internet, to be honest.... The thought of that makes me feel a little panicky, in fact....

 

[anart]

But the issue we are discussing -- i.e. the presence of subliminal programming underlying a screen-viewing experience -- is the same in both situations, no? Living in a semi-rural area, I haven't gone to see a film in a movie theatre for many years. Do you think there is a difference in the degree of subliminal programming involved in the following "ways" in which one can view a movie: (1) at a movie theatre, (2) on a DVD player, and (3) as a television broadcast? I wouldn't think so....

Not at all - if it comes through the television, it comes with all the 'extras'... though I do think there is very likely a difference between movies broadcast through the television and playing DVDS.  Not saying that there are no 'extras' with a DVD - just that it's likely different since television broadcast signals can be directly related to time and current events - ramped up or ramped down or shifted depending on what the populace needs to be distracted from or needs to be suggested to believe.

So, would you be willing to turn off your television for one month?

I don't feel any particular resistance to the idea. That's probably because (1) I don't spend that much time watching TV anyway (compared to most people); (2) I have had periods in my life when I didn't have a TV at all; and (3) I used to periodically go on "TV vacations" in the summertime, when my husband and I spend most of our summers up at our rather primitive cottage on Georgian Bay. I have a small television in my bedroom/office that I realized the other day hadn't been turned on in months.

So, is this a yes or a no?  ;)

I also realize that I rarely watch TV alone, only with my housemate/cousin, Leslie, as a kind of "shared" activity. I'm wondering, just now, whether one might be more susceptible to the hypnotic effects of TV when watching alone, as opposed to with another "aware" person with whom you can talk about what you're watching....

I would think not  - alpha state is alpha state and if the other person is also watching the television then you're both affected - perhaps 'dreaming' that you're not.  It sounds like you'd like it to be the case, though...    :D

I'd have a MUCH harder time giving up the internet, to be honest.... The thought of that makes me feel a little panicky, in fact.... 

I can imagine, but that wasn't the question. 

 

[PepperFritz]

So, is this a yes or a no?

It's a yes, I'd be willing to give up watching television for a month, if I thought there was some benefit to my doing so.

 

[thevenusian]

from Woodsman:
[/quote]That reminds me of this time when I was walking home one evening around 8:00 PM, (television Prime Time), and passing a 3-story apartment building a couple times wider than it was tall. It was dark outside and enough of the windows were flickering that weird bluish television light so that it looked like the whole building was uniformly engaged. It struck me because, (and here's my 'language of television' reference), the building looked like a Borg Cube. --I could envision all the human 'drones' inside in their little alcoves with their heads coupled up to the central cyber brain. I was struck cold because it was immediately obvious that the reality bore very little difference from the fiction. It spooked me to the core in a way which doesn't happen very often.[/quote]

This I too have noticed at times in the past when I was for some reason walking through neighborhoods or places with many multiple-story dwellings. The masses tuned to TV. Our on-the-ground recollections reinforce the ideas of TV being a mind control device on many levels, not just the digital details of today. But given all everyone has had to say on this thread, I wonder what variations of 'alpha' might be the state-of the-art right now? It seems to me that the limits of TV are that it can induce 'alpha' and then insert program. It can't take over ownership of your sovereign being all at once, can it? Any big improvement of inducing 'alpha' faster, bigger, etc is still 'alpha'. So if you know the routine, can't you potentially observe the threads and disentangle them? This may not be the best use of one's energy but it can be done?

To me, it sounds like the various descriptions everyone has given to their various boundaries around TV- how much, when, what, etc- are all hovering around the same point- resistance to involuntary induction of 'alpha' and then what then comes next- program insertion. It would follow that each of us has our own limits. I have observed that if I am stressed or tired I cannot stand the sound of TV from the next room after even a few minutes. And I also have about a 30-60 min tolerance of TV at a time, or else I start getting uncomfortable for numerous reasons.

 

[Ruth]

I do Reiki while I'm watching TV. I figure there may at least be some sort of benefit happening whilst I am being 'entertained'. and Reiki is such a passive thing that its the ideal place to do it.

 

[Buddy]

I figure there may at least be some sort of benefit happening whilst I am being 'entertained'.

I may be mistaken, but isn't this justifying after the fact? If so, isn't that a position that's anti-thetical (directly opposed or contrasted; opposite.) to the Work?
I understand that a governing purpose is most important and entertainment can be objectively beneficial, I am simply wondering about the inevitability factor. This sounds like another way of saying "oh well, if I gotta be entertained by TV, may as well get something else done!"
Of course, this could be just an area where my understanding can be developed quite a bit more. If so, I would appreciate some input.

It might be highly beneficial to run a very simple experiment. Turn off the television set - completely - for one month. Observe your thinking and behavior - anxiety levels, clarity of thought, etc.

Years ago, I was exposed to the idea of this experiment, but, with newspapers. I was a 'news addict'. To make a long story short, I did the experiment for 30 days. My general anxiety levels and simmering 'concern' dropped dramatically. Even my sense of humor improved. The next time I picked up my local paper, I skimmed the headlines and the first paragraph of one or two articles and then went straight for the comics section. I didn't want to escape - just to laugh more.
I decided to extend the experiment to TV.

Then, turn the television back on and watch it as you were - notice how you feel, what you think and how it affects you.

Having completed the experiment with TV, I found that I would become extremely uncomfortable if I had to watch anything for more than 15-30 minutes. To describe my reaction as fidgety would be a possible understatement. My wife currently complains that we don't watch movies/TV together anymore. We do, but the occasions are infrequent.

For me, at the time, I initially attributed the changes in my attitude towards TV and newspapers to 'the slant'. I was tired of opinions, slanted news and slanted everything else. I just wanted everything 'straight up'. I wanted to know what was objectively real regardless of whether anyone considered it ugly, beautiful, or any shade of gray. That's what appeals to me about the Work. It doesn't mean I like it or that it's not hard - just that I don't have to risk my soul (assuming I have one) by believing anyone. I can find out for myself.

So, is this a yes or a no?

It's a yes, I'd be willing to give up watching television for a month, if I thought there was some benefit to my doing so.

While the above quote is a perfectly good answer, my 'yes' was motivated by curiosity alone, I think. If someone were to wonder how they might possibly benefit from the experiment, I could share some ideas based on my experience.

1) Just to make sure there aren't ( or to see if there are) any attachments.
2) To feel better in some way, even if it's just a little more laughter watching the kittens play.
3) Acquire Kenneth Cooper's book "Aerobics" and do the self-test to see if one could benefit from some aerobic activity. Having some extra energy couldn't hurt, I think.
4) More time to catch up on reading or extra work to make extra money to buy more books to read, etc.
5) Helping the wife around the house and in the kitchen with cooking/cleaning chores. All the raving about my new-found helpfulness gives me a measure of how I'm dealing with false personality or ego issues. :)
6) On and on and on. Imagination is the limit, I suppose.

--for what it's worth--

 

[Al Today]

[quote author=PepperFritz] [quote author=Al Today] Didn’t the C’s say something to the effect that if the bad dudes wanted to control/change us, there ain’t a damn thing we can do? [/quote]
I don't recall them saying that, no. Wouldn't that completely refute their teaching that "Knowledge Protects, Ignorance Endangers"? [/quote]
After scouring the transcripts, I cannot find a reference to my view of having no control. What has been found are many references to: "Knowledge Protects, Ignorance Endangers". I believe myself to be in error and am retaining false perceptions. Looks like it’s now time to review & re-read the transcripts with all else. I ask myself what other notions do I have wrong? Thanks for showing me, to realize that I need to put in a little more effort to review the material and “see” what is written as compared with these/my obvious false memories/perceptions. I strangely feel sadness and/or emotional pain right now. I was “feeling” in high spirits earlier this morning…

[quote author=PepperFritz] [quote author=Al Today] Within this mortal body, yes I think I could be turned into a zombie. But deep within there is a consciousness that will remember experiences, lessons learned and lessons not learned. [/quote] Okay, these two statements are completely contradictory. One the one hand, you believe that it doesn't matter how much Knowledge and Awareness you have acquired and applied in your life -- or how much you will acquire and apply in the future -- you are completely at the mercy of STS forces who could "turn you into a zombie" at any moment. On the other hand, you believe that there is a part of you "that will remember experiences, lessons learned and lessons not learned", and therefore prevent that from happening? [/quote]
I am probably wrong but I think these 3D bodies are some sort of biomechanical contraptions that have evolved through intentional manipulation, bioengineering by “beings” far more intellectually advanced that I can comprehend. Therefore, I think that there may be ways to disrupt brain functions, screw with memories and perceptions. I only hope that IF that mental disruption can happen, my previous path of choice is not lost.

[quote author=Buddy] Now, to me, that cycle of behavior (smoking a cigarette) is a behavior pattern. As a pattern, it is a particular vibration of energy. The vibration consists of nothing more than the moment of decision linked to the subsequent 'intent' to perform the action, which is then followed by the actions necessary to manifest the intent (the behavior). This second-by-second [combination of choice & movement, choice & movement, choice & movement - until done...] scenario can be repeated until, over time, it can become an unconscious habit to the extent that today, you can light one up without thinking much about it. [/quote]
Buddy, tell me if I am wrong but what you have pointed out may be using repetition to alter one’s behavior, possibly convert conscious action into automatic/unconscious habits. The issue I have with this can be reflected by the following:

“See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda” - George W. Bush

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. “ – Joseph Goebbels

And constant repetition is used within the monotheistic community.

[quote author=PepperFritz] Do you have an underlying fear that the Work will all be in vain? [/quote]
Apparently I must... I also had feelings of apprehension when involved with monotheism.

All I can do is continue to review & research. Gather information and hopefully attempt to discern the “wheat for the chaff”. Live life one day at a time. With NO ANTICIPATION, hopes, nor desires and watch the show…

If this discussion continues, I will start a new thread, as I have imposed enough and do not desire to hijack this thread. I only wish to respond to those who have replied to my posts. Thank you Buddy & PepperFritz. Tis good having this forum of like minded people while feeling alone, out here in the wilderness…

 

[Buddy]

Hi Al Today.

I was attempting to address your question about "how one would "know" what one's true/real inner choice really is anyway?".
By using an example that I thought you would be familiar with, my intention was to show that if you have a true/real inner choice, you made that choice at some 'past' time and initiated behaviors to manifest that choice using the dynamic that applies to all choices (more or less) and the effort to 'bring them about'.

In this scenario, you would have made some choice - not to alter behavior necessarily, but to initiate desired behavior. Since this choice would have been as original as your first cigarette, it probably would have included your full attention in order to set it up and therein lies a possible key to recovering the memory. In addition, you would probably be the best one to know what behaviors would be appropriate for exercising this choice, so that's another direction to look for clues.

It's also possible I misinterpreted the point of your question and was being presumptuous with my attempt to answer it, because there are probably 359 other possible degrees from which to view anything (all things?). Your feedback would let me know that. :)

 

[Al Today]

Thanks Buddy, I understand what you're saying. Life can be like a rollercoaster. I have my ups and downs. I'm struggling with a "down" mode right now. I need to press on with the Work on myself, review information and work on self-observance. Again, Thank You.

 

[Miss Isness]

When I was a teenager, my mother was adamant that I should limit the number of hours I watched TV every day. I started noticing that it was almost always difficult to stop when I reached my 'quota'. After a while, I made a conscious choice to strengthen my will. It was still difficult.

When I got older, I noticed that I would sit down in front of the TV with an idea of what I wanted to do after I finished watching. More often than not, I never got around to it. I've never owned my own TV, and haven't had one in my house for over 15 years now. However, most bars and restaurants in Italy are equipped with them, and I STILL get immediately drawn in. I find it really annoying when I'm trying to spend quality time with someone, and my attention keeps getting sucked towards the screen.

I visited south India in 2000, and took a boat tour around a small island. I could see inside some of the cement block houses. There was no floor covering or furniture. They had no running water and only a few hours of electricity a day, but they did have TV's

When I tell my English students that I don't have a TV, they look at me like I'm an alien. I wonder why :/

 

[PepperFritz]

Thanks for showing me, to realize that I need to put in a little more effort to review the material and “see” what is written as compared with these/my obvious false memories/perceptions. I strangely feel sadness and/or emotional pain right now. I was “feeling” in high spirits earlier this morning….

I really hope that it's understood that it was not my intention to criticize and/or point out "errors" -- only to possibly help you get to the root of your feelings of anxiety and defeatedness, so that they might resolved in a positive direction. And, of course, my perception of your posts could be completely off. Take what is useful, and discard the rest....

:)

 

[Al Today]

I felt no ill will from you. I just got a little bummed out. That usually happens when I see some "ugly" truth within myself. Thanks, your "help" is appreciated.