State of Mind: The Psychology of Control (2013) User Reviews

Digging in the state of the mind of this documentary. Was it worth watching? Yes, it was interesting.

[ironhorse_iv · 8/10 · 31 July 2013]

I have to say this was an excellent documentary by Director James Lane that gets to the heart of something that seems to be lacking in modern society: critical thinking or to be more precise, the lack there of. While it's full of conspiracy thinkers, it's better to listen and take in what they say rather than keeping yourself out in the dark. You don't have to agree with what they are saying, but at less give yourself an open mind when watching this film. The more you know, the better. The talking heads being interview in the film, bring out some really good solid historic facts that show that people have always been interested in learning how to control the human mind. While, I might not be a huge fan of conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones's work. I have to say, what he said was very informative, and wasn't off the wall, like his other rants videos. Most of his previous works, have been rants that rarely provide good evidence. If anything his views are often warped with unwarranted accusations. Here, he wasn't so annoying. I felt like the documentary work as a very good psychology lecture that warns people to always have an open mind rather be close-minded. I have to say that they really deep into their research. Both MKUltra and Project PaperClip are well documented as official accounts released by the general public. The historical part on eugenics was interesting to watch. What's more, it isn't a stretch to believe that certain organizations have influence over the education system. Can we believe in absolutely everything that these talking heads say? Obviously not. But the fundamental message of propaganda persuasion and manipulation of society and the limitations it enforces on one's own individual mind is something that is not too hard to fathom yourself. I wish the movie, actually highlighting some specific cases of where individual freedom has come under attack. The documentary didn't really do a very good job of that. Another criticize about the film is if mind controlled was so easy, why are we able to watch film like this? I know the film talks a little about this, but really think about it. We wouldn't be watching films about this at all if it's easy to control us. It would be total George Orwell's 1984 state by now. In a way, the film acts like being part of a control environment is evil or that all people in power might have ill- will against the masses. I pretty much doubt that. I do think there are honestly some good people in government. While, we do enjoy some freedoms under a capitalism system. I do have to believe that some kind of order is better world than total chaos like the film wish to have. While, I'm not against Globalization, I don't think it's as evil as the documentary state it is. I know there is a lot of conspiracy-theory against a New World Order full of mass hysteria rumors than facts. I do think the banks do have too much power, and need to be review badly. Still, if an secretive power elite like the Rothschild's family had a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian world government, controls the world's wealth and financial institutions and encouraged or discouraged wars between governments then why do the Rothschild wealth have subsequently declined. They stood to lose more than they gained from having conflict. That's why I don't think all bankers are evil like the film says. They just need more reforms and control. The movie is a bit of mind control in itself. Mind control comes in many forms including promoting the misunderstanding that if we can just get beyond the current system to a new system that the producers have no clue what it is, that we can escape our bonds of being human and find the real path to enlightenment without any solid idea of what next. In a way, they saying it sucks that we're being control, we should be free and live in chaotic environment by ourselves. Yes, try living on your own in a harsh environment without anybody helping you. Let's see how long you last. There is a reason why we live in a society. I just don't think people should give up, and just be slave under political alienation too, but think about it. I'm not the biggest fan of capitalism, nor socialism, but things can change if one voice their opinions. Capitalism is no different than religion. It works because people believe it works. If the people in charge didn't believe in it, it would quickly show it's flaws and fall apart. At some point I dream people can abolish the monetary system completely, instead use automatic systems which would monitor all the useable resources on the planet. If you don't believe people have the brain or brawn to resist financial or social influences then freedom can only exist in a vacuum where influences do not exist. That means death. Death is the ultimate freedom. The film rants about the poorly defined word that is "freedom". Freedom is a vague term. I do believe we have freedom, but not total freedom. I don't believe all people are brain wash. I think people do think. I am here to learn and better understand the current problems/conflicts/issues in the world and this movie work for that. Overall: the movie is great important watch. You just have to look at it at both sides of the coin. I don't think we all are in a state of extended adolescence. It can be disheartening for a documentary to say that, yet I truly see a shift in consciousness that is reminding us of who we are as human beings, that we have value and unlimited creative power. Humanity is not lifeless robots slaves just yet.

makes you think

[dvirftw · 8/10 · 17 December 2014]

favorite quote: "mass media today is the cutting edge of psychological warfare. It is nothing but an all out assault on the general public.

When you watch mainline TV you are putting yourself in front of the barrel of a gun"

Makes you think for sure, I wonder how much TV and mass media has effected me in my life you know. I always look at people at the subway and they sit there staring at their phones, almost as if they're escaping the moment, like they're uncomfortable being themselves in a public place.

Just my thoughts on the matter. Quite a chilling documentary.

it was made very well.

Decent

[rudown-25410 · 6/10 · 28 August 2018]

This was ok, I had to laugh when I saw Alex Jones in this, though. He may be somewhat knowledgeable, but no more than a random next door neighbor. At least he wasn't ranting.

Previous Reviewer, Ironhorse, Pretty Much Has It Nailed

[smachs · 5/10 · 16 August 2013]

Critical thinking, the Sociology of Knowledge, an Open Mind. The existence of this film undercuts its message somewhat. Human primates appreciate freedom and reflection, sometimes more than material well being. Stability, safety, law & order, justice more than hyper individualism. Increased levels of self-awareness permit the choice of even self denial for the greater good. Cooperation is present in society as well as competition. Paranoia, xenophobia, aggression, anger from the hind brain, enlightenment and harmony from the fore brain? The Western and Eastern social thinking and research complement each other. Watch the move but like Ironhorse says: "Think about it"

If you like "Ancient Aliens" then this "documentary" is for you

[bygovynanin · 1/10 · 24 June 2019]

The lies far outweigh the sprinklings of truth this documentary offers, making it far more dangerous than the subject matter because to those who have not read the books they cite or are familiar with the names they spew, it could almost seem believable. Sewing more fear, this documentary may represent a new form of mind control which feeds the conspiracy theorist with the type of misinformation they crave instead of informing the public with the unbiased information they deserve.

Poor Man's Adam Curtis documentary

[dont_tell_duncan · 5/10 · 4 February 2021]

This film is haphazard and without a proper narrative. Whilst much of the subject matter is well-documented elsewhere and of interest, its presentation here is piecemeal and does not knit together into a coherent understanding of how these social phenomena take root and how they interact with other environmental factors - in particular the economic imperative - to denigrate individual autonomy. I assume the laudable intent is to cultivate a better awareness of how growing understanding of psychology has permitted industrial means of influencing human behaviour, and stimulate in the viewer towards the crucial antidote of critical thought. Unfortunately it veers too far towards conspiracy and leaves just an impression of the cliche of a simplistic but paranoid model of a shadowy group of elites making sweeping decisions in proverbial smoke-filled rooms when the truth seems more likely to be a lot more complex and, paradoxically, partly driven by countless decisions of individual self interest as much as the occasional major landmark policy choice.

This is no better exemplified than the unwarranted choice of splicing footage of the 9/11 attacks against a narrative of elites manipulating events to encourage public support for.decisions they want to make - no evidence offered? Wouldn't it just have been easier to put forward something solid like the proven falsehood of claims about Iraq weaponry made by the UK Govt to justify invasion?

Ironically the idea that a small cabal is capable of mass mind control may be far more true now in 2021 than when this was made as greater power increasingly lands with Google, Facebook etc. But in this film the internet still seems to be cast as the hero which can liberate the sheeple from the mass media...

I would suggest rather than watch this film potential viewers seek out any of Adam Curtis' excellent documentaries. A Century Of The Self or All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace cover much of the same territory but far more cohesively and realistically - recognising the cock up is just as important as the conspiracy in where we are ending up. Plus these documentary makers totally ripped off his style of archive footage - much of it drawn from the Prelinger Archives frame for frame...