[ordu]

> I literally have to question my own motives for things, and often wonder if I have been manipulated into my beliefs, opinions, and desires.

Its possible to be immune for such manipulaions, I believe. If you subject you thoughts to strict formal rules of rational thinking, than it would be hard to manipulate you.

But the first and most important thing is constant questioning own motives. So you are on the right track. ;)

[riprowan]

> If you subject you thoughts to strict formal rules of rational thinking, than it would be hard to manipulate you.

If the brain was fundamentally a linear processor, you might have a chance. But the brain is almost entirely a pattern-machine, and linear, logical thought is mostly an artifact.

Humans can be programmed like any AI. It just requires the correct stimulus.

[ordu]

I'm not saying that one can be completely rational. I'm saying that you can be much more resistant to mind influencing technologies. Moreover you can be resistant for such a level, that you'll become immune for technologies which targets 95% of population.

[AnimalMuppet]

In addition to what riprowan said, if you are perfectly logical and rational, but I can control your input data, I can control your conclusions.

[ordu]

Really? What you know about my consclusions? How can you check that you control them? By looking at my behaviour? Ha-ha. How you can control them if you have no precise knowledge about them and processes leading to them? Oh... And how can you control my input data, if I'm not reading your ads?