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(Conditioned) Human Nature within the Insane Asylum
(Conditioned) Human Nature within the Insane Asylum
By
Cognitive Dissonance
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I wish I had a silver dollar for every time I’ve heard the phrase “It is human nature……” or some such derivative or derivation. Alan Greenspan recently popped to the surface of his personal cesspool to proclaim it is human nature to create financial bubbles, thus absolving himself of any blame for a runaway fiat candy machine. His exact words were “Bubbles are functions of unchangeable human nature.”
I will stifle the urge to flush Greenspan back down the commode where he belongs and instead focus upon the mistaken belief we can actually determine exactly what is ‘human nature’ after hundreds if not thousands of years of social conditioning and manipulation.
Our fragile egos, both personally and as a collective, have a difficult enough time accepting “We the People” are effectively influenced by ‘popular culture’, let alone that we would seriously entertain the idea we are thoroughly conditioned humans from birth. But considering we are born the purest of individual humans and spend the rest of our lives attempting to be just like everyone else speaks volumes to the idea we are the sum total not only of our lifelong conditioning, but of multi generational conditioning as well.
Where exactly is the demarcation line between ‘human nature’ and the passively conditioned consumer we have all become to some degree or another? If generation after generation of “We the Consumer” suffer under the influence of cultural, social, institutional, religious and governmental manipulative programming and outright propaganda, how exactly could we ever be fully aware of the sum total of these influences nor what humans would be like if the manipulation were removed or never there in the first place?
Humans are highly adaptive creatures and incredibly ingenious when it comes to modifying our behavior in the face of externally or internally applied pressure and circumstance. ‘Normal’ is a relative term, not some static measurement, and both the body and mind quickly becomes accustomed to the ‘new’ normal when choices appear to be limited and the herd moves to a new grazing field. But this doesn’t mean the results of social pressures and generational conditioning are dictated by human nature or that human nature guides human behavior under these extraordinarily distorted circumstances.
I remember visiting an indoor zoo several decades ago with my young son. At one exhibit there was a young man seated in a chair intently watching the caged animals, in this case squirrels if I remember correctly. A sign posted behind him informed the curious he was conducting a behavioral study and to please do not disturb. At regular intervals he would look down at his clipboard and make a notation, then return his gaze to the animals in front of him. I was fascinated not in the animals he was watching, but in what he was doing and why.
Stealing a look at the clipboard there were several vertical columns for various behaviors such as grooming, feeding, mating etc and horizontal markings indicating 30 second intervals. It appeared he was following one particular squirrel and noting what it was doing at specific points in time. It was then I realized there was a very large clock with a sweeping second hand hanging on the cage in the person’s line of sight. I supposed this data would all be crunched down later into thesis graphs and tables.
Outside the exhibit I found an employee and asked him a few questions about the young man inside. He explained that the local university regularly sent over students to conduct behavioral studies of various animals in the zoo. This data would then be compared to results of studies done in the wild in order to measure the effects of captivity and domestication. I remember saying to him, “Too bad we can’t do this with humans.” He was startled by my comment and clearly at a loss for words. I left him to stew on my thought as my son dragged me on to the next exhibit.

If the only substantial population of squirrels left in the world are all safely caged and on exhibit, with only a smattering of squirrels remaining in the wild, would this ‘condition’ eventually become the basis for a new ‘normal’? Would the caged animals be considered the norm and the few remaining left in the wild considered outliers and abnormal?
Now move this thought experiment forward a thousand years or more and imagine there are only caged squirrels left in the world, and even the institutional memory of their wild origins is lost or severely obscured. How exactly would these animals be perceived when there remained no basis for comparison? I propose that at this point any observed repetitive or predictable ‘behavior’ would be considered ‘squirrel nature’ and just the way it is.
In recent years the publicly promoted illusion of happy, well adjusted zoo animals has slowly dissolved into dust as report after report indicates many animals in captivity exhibit clear and disturbing signs of depression, neurosis and self destructive behavior. Assuming after a thousand years the captive squirrels have not committed ritual collective suicide I suspect their observed behavior would border on the bizarre and nonsensical. Yet with no basis for comparison their aberrant manner would continue to be explained away as simply squirrel nature.
While I suspect I shall assault the sensibilities and egos of many of my readers by immediately switching the squirrel analogy to that of the present day human, the similarities are too striking to ignore. How exactly are we to successfully and correctly examine ourselves when the only ‘normal’ we know is found in the boiling pot of water we presently occupy?
With no basis for comparison and any cultural or institutional memory long since lost to time or never established in the first place, combined with the deliberate and malicious distortion or outright falsification of the history of the human race in order to muddy the waters and control “We the Conditioned”, how is a person or any “author-ity” able to say with any degree of confidence that a particular observed human behavior is solely and exclusively ‘human nature’? The single minded arrogance displayed by such certainty of knowledge of the ‘self’ approaches pathological self deception.
That caged gorilla obsessively pacing inside his cage is seen as abnormal simply because we can view other gorillas in the wild and not witness comparable behavior. Similarly the obese obsessive compulsive eater shopping at Sam’s Club for a bigger bang for their food buck is seen as abnormal solely because there are other non obese humans available for comparison. As well, this specific abnormal self destructive human behavior is so relatively new that institutional memory of what is ‘normal’ has not been lost or deliberately obscured. Yet we hurry to blame the individual person for their apparent suicidal behavior and rarely look beyond the trees to see the cultural forest.
For thousands of years psychopaths have ruled the human race utilizing various psychologically damaging methods and techniques, all with the ultimate purpose of control and exploitation. The very institutions and governments we allow to exist are there solely to herd and control the masses for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many. In so many ways caged from birth, is it any wonder we exhibit clear and disturbing signs of depression, neurosis and self destructive behavior?
I suspect if it weren’t for our flexible intellect and protective ego, combined with a monumental arrogance, long ago we would have participated in ritual collective suicide. It could be argued our near constant state of war is designed to ‘play’ at or ‘practice’ mass suicide in order to act as a safety valve and relieve some of the socially self destructive pressures.
While there are certainly many ‘benefits’ of war enjoyed by the minority psychopath controllers, such as economic enrichment, power enhancement and more social control, a seriously dysfunctional and neurotic population must be managed in the same way unstable chemical compounds are. Occasionally dangerous pressures must be carefully vented away or burned off lest the volatile concoction self destruct and take the psychopaths with it.
For those among us who claim that humans who are removed from these pressures still exhibit the same behavior, thus confirming the presence of human nature, I simply respond that deep conditioning can last a lifetime even after it is recognized as conditioning. It takes generational change to effectively begin the removal and rebalancing process and many generations for it to be removed completely. Ironically the psychopaths claim this very fact justifies their continued intervention and control since a domesticated animal let loose in the wild cannot fend for itself, a self serving point of view if ever I heard one.
Induced insanity is the perfect mental/spiritual illness from a social control point of view because it is self perpetuating, self affirming and can exist in isolation since it is its own energy source. The social/cultural control systems used by the psychopaths encourages mass mental illness in order to divide and conquer. It is the most effective method by which the few may dominate the many.
If this is the case, and I suspect this to be so, how exactly are “We the Insane” able to perceive anything about ourselves with any semblance of balance and objectivity. How are we able to determine what is ‘human nature’ and not just run-of-the-mill insanity? The insane nearly always believe themselves to be sane and healthy, and all others to be off their rockers. How apropos then that nearly every one of us believes we can clearly see the insanity and it is they, those, and them over there who are the problem, not me, myself or I.
Welcome to the Insane Asylum…..or as we like to say these days the ‘new’ normal.
08-10-2014
Cognitive Dissonance

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There's that certainty again.
The world is full of people who are "certain" that the theory of evolution is true (just ask them), despite the weight of scientific evidence against it. Confronted with the evidence, such "believers" are reduced to ad-hominem assaults. And, in my experience, every time the discussion raises substantive doubt as to their belief, they reveal the true motivation behind the belief (i.e., that evolution must be true because it disproves the existence of a creator).
I wouldn't take either side of that argument.
I'd simply manage the uncertainty as a conscious (as opposed to refex) response.
"And, in my experience, every time the discussion raises substantive doubt as to their belief, they reveal the true motivation behind the belief (i.e., that evolution must be true because it disproves the existence of a creator)."
Sheer nonsense that flatly demonstrates your ignorance of the very theory you imagine as having "the weight of scientific evidence against it." The theory has squat to do with the origin of life itself or the universe. You confuse evolution with abiogenesis, which is typical. Someone who can't even get the basics right is highly unlikely to have much of a grasp on the "weight of scientific evidence."
The scientist who demolished the pseudoscientific ID/Creationist arguments in the 2005 Dover Trial (Kitzmiller v. Dover) is a Christian:
http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/
I don't confuse the two. But ask the dyed in the wool atheist Darwinians, and they will quickly point out exactly what I said.
Always misdirecting, never confronting truth. Thanks for playing, Jethro.
You are mistaken. I have no belief of choice in religion and have stated so many times. I was baptized a Roman Catholic and I practiced only as long as I was forced to by my parents. That ended when I left home well before graduating from high school.
I did write a piece back in 2011 called "The Long Conversation" where I mention going to Catholic grade school and having some problems with the sisters and their rulers. Maybe this is what you remember.
The word 'religion' is often misunderstood; but in it's base definition isn't anything but humanistic. It refers to 'habituation'. For example, every morning when I arise from bed, I religiously go to the bathroom and evacuate my bowels; and then wash my hands and brush my teeth before taking my shower (which I do RELIGIOUSLY, HABITUALLY; EVERY MORNING).
Of course, I was CONDITIONED to WISH to keep my body clean by my parents; so this might be considered in a 'bad light' by those who try to mock 'RELIGIONS'. Frankly, I enjoy good heath and a lack of parasitic infections, so this has been a beneficial thing to me individually (and I wish that more people held themselves in the worthiness of this regard).
Of course, if you wish to give a tithe of your earnings to some guy dressed in robes or a suit or someone who promises that their way is the ONLY way; then you might be OVERTAKEN by their fallen nature; and forced in to self-deluded subservience.
I suppose THIS is what MOST people have been led to believe is the definition of 'RELIGION' ('self-aggrandizing delusion' if you will).
I will not question your posts further (HEY, if The Tylers let you post, you're not ALL BAD).
Don't let self-delusion and aggrandizement become YOUR mantra, though (a freindly warning).
"Don't let self-delusion and aggrandizement become YOUR mantra, though (a freindly warning)."
Nor the paternalism that comes with dispensing spiritual advice.
Not only do the Tylers let me post, but they let me conduct mass on Sundays.
Keep the friendly warnings coming though. I am my own worst enemy and it helps to be reminded of this on occasion.
In defense I do not mock those who are religious or who wish to follow a certain religion. To each their own. Many find great comfort and self improvement in their faith. My issue is with those who use the cover of religion to control and abuse.
"In defense I do not mock those who are religious or who wish to follow a certain religion."
Why not? Damn it man, it's fun rattling their cages, besides which, it's your duty to confront them with the truth, just as it's theirs to confront you.
Who knows, you might even win a few converts.
You think God doesn't smile on that?
it's your duty to confront them with the truth,
Truths such as...? I'm wondering whose is the cage that really gets rattled by truth. Not wanting something to be true and it not being true are different things.
Truths such as...?
Whatever you find to be true i suppose, but you first have to look.
Some people don't want to look. Some would rather die than question their beliefs, which is pretty scary stuff if you're on the outside looking in. Like I said. Gives me the willies.
For me, truth is a process, not an object you can point to and say, see? Truth.
In other words, truth evolves along with our understanding of it.
For thousands of years psychopaths have ruled the human race utilizing various psychologically damaging methods and techniques, all with the ultimate purpose of control and exploitation. The very institutions and governments we allow to exist are there solely to herd and control the masses for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many. In so many ways caged from birth, is it any wonder we exhibit clear and disturbing signs of depression, neurosis and self destructive behavior?
What is the proper portion of control needed for a law abiding society? Voltaire's parody... Candid, is relevant today. As a generalization, humans lack the self-discpline to examine our experiences and seperate those experiences from pre-conceived notions. Depression, neurosis and self destructive behavior should be the norm when it finally comes into focus we are here on accident and have no recourse against our accidental consciousness. "Can't we all just get along"? No we can't. If we did, it would be heaven, and who the fuck wants that? Everyday is a good day when we are above dirt. That realization alone is an important step in realizing how humerous this all really is. Some law abiding control is necessary, but when diabolical control infringes on thought, then we have a human going concern problem.
There are no shortages of complaints about government. I would challenge you to come up with a solution to government. The solution can't be in the form of government, because humans run government. We all know what the driving forces of us solipsistic humans are, right? It is just human nature.
Peace and Love
An alternate form of government would change the leaders and deciders continuously. Any short time with power would be followed by an extended time without power. The problem with government is that elites control who is selected, or run it themselves. Cincinnatus was the Roman Republican ideal, which was not followed.
The problem is the thoughtless craving of the sheeple for a long time king. Mario Cuomo is replaced by Andrew Cuomo. Hillary replaces Bill. Bush replaces Bush. The common sheeple doesn't trust his judgement and craves someone smarter or more capable to run his world. There is no good king, trustworthy elite, nor mastermind who'll not be corrupted by power. Give power and take it away before it corrupts.
The problem is more fundamental than the "time in power." The problem lies inherently in the process of obtaining power, namely self-nomination. In other words, it doesn't matter if you limit the duration of tenure when everyone signing up for the job has decided that he knows what's best for everyone and that he deserves the authority.
The voting process is meant to be a check and balance on putting idiots in power, but there is no check or balance to putting power hungry assholes in power... and we can't even get the former right.
If I am doing something that doesn't hurt someone else, no one should have the right to say I can't do it.
As long as I'm prepared to accept, and deal with, the consequences of my actions.
OTOH, I should never have to deal with the consequences of another person's actions.
OTOH, I should never have to deal with the consequences of another person's actions.
Try and get Christians to observe this statement or understand the harms of vicarious redemption!
"I would challenge you to come up with a solution to government."
The problem is that those who want government feel compelled to force it on everyone else.
They are wired to believe that only a government run society can successfully promote their survival - and they are correct - without government the genes that confer belief in government would disappear, and government believers would disappear also.
"An organism is a collection of problem solving devices - adaptations - that were shaped by natural selection over evolutionary time to promote, in some specific way, the survival of the genes that directed their construction." Symons, 2005
Untold millions of people have died so that the genes that developed in the animal world to promote survival in the animal world can continue on along with the bodies they inhabit, even though they are no longer needed.
The unfortunate thing is that in a modern positive sum technological economy, those genes have become counter-productive to the majority, who happen to be incapable of understanding that.
So the difficult to obtain solution is to treat government beliefs like religious beliefs: a person's choice.
It goes to everyone, not just one group of delusional people
One of the most thought-provoking pieces I've read on ZH.
To quote a wise man - my grandfather, who lived through WW1 and paid the price for the rest of his life.
When I was about 8 or 9 years old he said to me 'All the world's mad, except for thee and me. And I'm not so sure about thee'
It was a while before I understood, but now I do.
I call "BULLSHIT".
The game's afoot!
Am I Khan? Or are you going to be Khan?
Ghengis is Khan.
Kneel or be exterminated.
Years ago I read an article in the NYT about mental problems of rich kids in NYC. They described the day of one of these kids; he was about five years old. He was gotten up, dressed, walked to his fancy school, walked home, given lots of little lessons, fed, put to bed. It was like reading about a rat in a tiny, tiny cage with no wheel. Oh, the kid was a berserker; parents couldn't figure out why he kept throwing insane violent fits. I'm not a kid expert, but I could see why. The author of the article did not see why; kept on about what medications were available and what sorts of counseling.
The cause is our unbalanced society - life.
That's what we should we should work on together.
This brings us to one of the more recent tools in the control arsenal: prescription mood-altering drugs.
I have a personal history in this area, because I have always tended to a slightly depressive personality. I voluntarily went to counseling for this, and as part of that counseling, I spoke with a psychiatrist. Fortunately, I met with an honest practitioner, and he told me that in cases such as mine, some people choose to medicate, and others do not. The choice was mine.
That was twenty years ago, and I have never to this day chosen medication. I have always believed and I still believe that as a culture, we are far too simpleminded in our definition of "normal" happiness. We have defined a "happy" life as the one we see in advertising, with the family smiling with the two kids and the new car in the background. There is far too little allowance that a "happy" life as I see it can at times include (gasp!) great sadness and pain and loss, and all those emotions we are trained to avoid like the plague. We've defined a half a life - the smile - without its balanced other side: the moments of pain which give the smile meaning. I strongly believe that the pain I sometimes live is an integral part to my life. And when the happiness is here, I feel it that much more strongly, for I appreciate its real meaning.
I have another friend, however, who has a similar personality to mine, and he has gone the other route. He has been on medication for a while now. He has no regrets. It allows him to dim the discomfort he feels which makes him more productive and happier. I knew him when he was not on medication, and I am still friends with him now, and I admit that I cannot tell a real difference in his personality in the two situations.
In other words, two of us have gone down the two different forks in the same road. And both of us are satisfied with our lives as we are.
The major difference here is that both my friend and I have made our decisions for ourselves with an educated and reasoned perspective. This business of medicating children because they don't conform to the expectations of their parents or, worse yet, of educators, is in my mind spiritually abusive. And this is without a doubt a tool that those running our society are using a lot these days. More people need to be aware of the effects this has on our spiritual landscape.
Fortunately, I met with an honest practitioner, and he told me that in cases such as mine, some people choose to medicate, and others do not.
You realize that: (a) it's rare to find an honest practitioner of anything, especially in fields where the customer/patient is ignorant of whether the recommendation is sound [which is also the fundamental reason there is such a high fraud rate in the medical field, but I digress]; and (b) it's even rarer to find someone going to get help for "depression" who has no inclination to seek meds.
If you really want to do work in session, get homework, and change that little bit of ourselves that can actually be changed after the age of majority, then an M.D. probably isn't the answer... in the largest part, they're merely pill dispenseries and tend to make so much money per visit that your available time is small. For anyone in this boat, I would suggest reviewing the rules in your state for social workers (older professional title) and licensed professional counselors (newer). If there is a difference for the licensing requirements between the two (e.g. 3 years of course work vs. 1, 2 year practicum vs 6 months, etc.), then find the best professional you can with the more stringent credential. I would also suggest someone in private practice who is in the process of establishing him or her self (few ever just set up shop on their own without first putting in their dues for a major agency), as no one will be more hungry to help.
It's also interesting to note that as depressed as you may be, think about anyone who has empathy who listens to half a dozen people just like you every day for an hour a session. Most folks burn out very quickly... which actually results in hilariously high turnover, but they'll stay doing the same thing, just at a new employer... as if it actually helps.
Being well (or just slightly better) adjusted to the insane asylum is not my idea of success. That is not a critique of you my friend. I too have struggled along the way and have bounced (slammed) along the bottom several times.
There came a point several years ago when I questioned my own sanity and decided I was stark raving mad. But I found comfort in the realization that everyone else was in the same boat as I. It's been all up hill from there.
I cannot think my way out of the insane asylum because I am insane. Nor can anyone else help me because they are insane. What does one do in this situation? Question everything beginning with yourself. If nothing else it will keep you busy between the morning and afternoon meds.
But whatever you do bro, don't self medicate. In my case I tend to think if two is good, 63 most certainly must be better. Now that's what I call blackout living. :-)
Pure insanity that drugs are almost always seen as the cure rather than as (part of) the problem.
Drugs only change behavior. Drugs are like the Monkey's Paw; the situation changes, but not for the better.
Music can trigger chemical reactions within ourselves.
STYX
The Grand Illusion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzgHJyFAh9o
When my son was 6 years old he was having difficulty reading, so we took him to a learning disorder specialist who ran him through tests for two days.
At the end he told us that our son needed to be on Ritalin. When I told him that I felt that route to be unnecessary, he asked me, "If he had diabetes would you refuse to give him insulin?"
I thanked him, paid him, and as my wife and I were walking to our car, I said, "Well, that was a waste of $600."
Our son is now a nurse practitioner and reads quite well.
The school that is associated with that learning specialist has more than 40% of its students on Ritalin or Adderall.
Score One for Big Pharma.
Score another One for the 'learning' specialist for providing people/parents with easy to swallow (pun intended) solutions to complex problems.
Meaning "Thank God we aren't the source of Johnny's problem nor do we have to invest much time and effort in fixing it. Here Johnny, just take this and you'll be ALL better."
Drugs neutralize elements of the suppression system that surrounds the human nature. The behavior changes are symptomatic of fewer lines of defense around the unerlying, selfish core.
The problem is that drugs also act as gateways for bad information and, often times, negatively impact reality for the user... some help weed through the white noise, but there are always tradeoffs in life and few long term drug users ever get the balance perfect. I'll go so far as to say that the vast majority of people who espouse drug use for opening the mind are people desperate to find justification for their habits.
'Drugs' is a huge catch-all term.
Some are escapist (alcohol being the main one there) but pschedelics are a different game.
"Some are escapist (alcohol being the main one there) but pschedelics are a different game."
PSYCHEDELICS (I think).
Shrooms. 4-way-window-pane blotter acid. SSRI's. Experiments during the CIA M.K. era (and the Soviet era) on military conscripts. Timothy Leary. Charles Manson. Tune in, turn on, and drop out. The 'Partridge Family'. Sunshine and Lollipops. Altered states of consiousness. The 'one-hour orgasm'. The final trip on the River Styx. Opium wars, and collateral damage. Mina, AR.. Mind control and 'predictive programming'.
The majority of humanity is NOW 'Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition', and the recently-awakened MINORITY is 'Just begging to be 'smart-bombed'.
I am failing to see your logic in that statement 'Drugs' is a huge catch-all term.'.
2.
The fucking, fracking, everloving answer is TWO. ONE plus ONE equals TWO. NOT 'one point 9999...' or 'two point 000001...'.
I suppose you will have to change your name to 'HYPOTHETICALMAN', now. You are the 'WHAT IF...' 'Braveheart' within your peer-reviewed basement boys who have theorized but failed to understand that life continues outside the confines of the basement.
Dude smoked a fattie one time, and thinks he has the answers to life...
Hahahahahahahahahahahah. I could puke.
Dude never smoked a fattie one time, yet KNOWS he has the answer to life, and wants to hurt the unbelievers and impure.
Render unto me a break.
Drugs are bad, m'kay?
One of my favorite episodes.
I don't know if you heard of him, but you might want to check out John B. Calhoun, and his rat experiments. He made some interesting discoveries about how communities of species react to noxious social situations that have many parallels to our current state of affairs.
I'd heard of him before, but didn't remember the name until I looked him up just now. Over population pressures will jump to the forefront when just-in-time deliveries begin to break down. Some people just can't face the day without their coco-puffs and get downright grumpy.
We are running mouse experiments up here on the mountain. But our 19 lb Maine Coon cat keeps interrupting them by eating the control group. :)
Lol! Good for him, he's taking care of his own business.
But I thought the most interesting part of the Calhoun experiments was the notion that it is social density, not physical crowding, that is the real problem, and creates the behavioral sink.
And that made me think about how technology has increased that social density, to where we are literally in each others faces 24/7, always expected to be "on and receiving".
We always worry about the physical limitations of our world, but maybe we will exceed the psychological limitations long before we run out of food, water, or space...
Duplicate again. Centurylink has been called and admits there is a problem with the DSL connection. Salvation is promised for tomorrow.
I've been thinking about writing an article along those lines. Can I steal that intro? :-)
Anything I post is 'open source'. Steal away...:-)
rofl
Another story from my youth.
I spent the summer with my cousins. I got four older brothers and two sisters. My cousin closest in age was the only male with three older sisters. So at the start of the new school year we got our new buzz cuts. Being the army brat this was normal.
First day as we walk into school some kid runs inbetween us and slapped the back of both of our heads as he went. When he turned to laugh I stepped on his foot and pushed him down. Ruffed him up and walked away. As we walked away my cousin said. I cant believe you did that. All I could say was I cant believe you didnt.
"malicious distortion or outright falsification of the history of the human race"
When you break thru this piece of the puzzle, the edges of the rabbit hole are revealed.
But...but...but the history book says...........
I still find the concept mind blowing. If history has been altered, then what is it "they" are hiding. Whoever wrote the version of history passed on had an agenda. What was omitted? What was modified? What was kept? If you could answer all three question, the agenda, the knowledge would become clear. We can study some of these effects in real time today, as we see the media modifying history in real time using the microscope of the internet. We can partially reconstruct some events based on the media's known manipulations. I think 9/11 is the perfect study for history modification. There has been so much human capital put into modifying that history, it is mind boggling. When you think of the information wars going on today, right here on this site, and extrapolate backwards. We know history is written by the winners is the easy answer, but there is more than meets the eye.