Institutional

Milieu Control

What it is

Robert Lifton's concept of controlling the entire environment and communication of a group, creating a closed information ecosystem.

How it works

By controlling everything members see, hear, read, and discuss, the group creates an alternative reality where only approved information exists. External information is labeled dangerous, sinful, or corrupting. Members eventually lose the ability to evaluate the group objectively because all reference points outside the group have been eliminated.

Real-world examples

  • •Groups that prohibit television, internet, or outside reading material.
  • •Organizations that monitor and censor members' communications with the outside world.
  • •Environments where members are never alone and always supervised by more committed members.

Ethical guidelines

  • ●Information control is the foundation of all thought reform — it is never benign.
  • ●Any group that needs to control what its members can access is hiding something.
  • ●Free access to diverse information is a fundamental human right.

How to defend against it

  • ►Maintain private access to outside information sources — this is your reality check.
  • ►Any group that tells you external information is dangerous is trying to control your thinking.
  • ►If you cannot independently verify what you are told within a group, you are in an information-controlled environment.

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