Brainwashing can be very useful and effective. In some cases it is the best method to use. I'm sure it works in many cases. I don't believe I ever argued it didn't work, and I fail to see why you find calling a thing what it is "offensive". I think a certain amount of brainwashing works very well, in many different settings- and there are probably a lot of minds out there that need to be washed. It's probably even desirable to have a brainwashed ground pounder, but nevertheless, the techniques in boot camp are akin to, or are, brainwashing. It's not just about "operating as a group", it's about breaking down the individual. Everyone I've ever talked to about boot camp has made it clear that individuality is stomped on, and the drill instructors tell the recruits that they will be TOLD what to think. On top of that, they are deprived of sleep, and stressed physically- so all the components for brain washing are there.
I have no idea why you think anyone else would care that we brainwash our troops. That seems a strange thing to bring up, and I don't see how it has any bearing on what we're talking about. I would assume other countries employ similar boot camp techniques - in which case, how could they possibly comment? And the people who universally hate militaries, must know there is some brainwashing in any boot camp type situation- where the body is stressed, sleep is minimized, access to family is restricted (one call, for the entire period, US, marines), and a drill instructor screams at you while you are awake. |
