this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2026
302 points (79.4% liked)

Memes

53980 readers
1012 users here now

Rules:

  1. Be civil and nice.
  2. Try not to excessively repost, as a rule of thumb, wait at least 2 months to do it if you have to.

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 16 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

There's no such thing as brainwashing, or "reprogramming" as you call it. The idea that one can force the mind of another into believing something contrary to reality via "mind control" was invented by Edward Hunter, as a way to explain why Chinese soldiers supported socialism during the Korean War. The CIA tried to make it happen with projects like MK Ultra, which all failed to produce any evidence that brainwashing is possible.

China isn't a utopia, it has a long way to go, but it's a socialist country where the working classes are in control of the state. China is more democratic than Canada, where capitalists dominate the state and the government gives standing ovations to Nazis.

I wish I was paid by the CPC to debunk anticommunist myths and promote socialism, but instead I pay dues to the org I work with. It's because I study China and Marxism-Leninism that I support them. If you want an introduction to the Chinese system of socialism, I recommend Roland Boer's Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: A Guide for Foreigners. It's helpful for understanding how China's system works.

I think it's pretty clear by now that I have the beliefs I do because I've put a great deal of effort into studying China, Marxism-Leninism, and have looked into common allegations against them as part of that process. I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to explain that away by calling me "deluded." Even if I were paid by the CPC, it wouldn't change the merit of what I have to say one bit, it would only reveal motive.

A survey of citizens that know they cannot speak ll without retribution to them or their family, will always look positive. Please use some critical thinking here.

I suggest reading Support for government in China: is the data accurate?