Wow. However, to be susceptible to brainwashing, the 'victim' has to find something appealing in what they're being told. There has to be some willingness there, a need to believe something different from the 'norm.' Brainwashing is another term for 'convincing.' Convince me what you say is in my best interest, and I'll probably go with you, right? If I can't be convinced, well, you failed 
To deprogram someone, you just re-convince them that what they were convinced of is harmful.
Yes, certain environments can certainly aid in the cult's success rates... as with everything. Retailers do it all the time. Make what you're selling appeal, make the atmosphere conducive and appealing, and you'll sell more widgets. Plant the seed in my mind that I want a fresh pretzel, and when I happen upon your cart, well, I'm probably gonna shell out for a fresh pretzel.
As firm as we all like to think we are in our beliefs, the brain is a malleable thing. And if it's not, you have a person who is hard-hearted and stuck in their ways, and in my personal experience, generally unhappy.
To deprogram someone, you just re-convince them that what they were convinced of is harmful.
Yes, certain environments can certainly aid in the cult's success rates... as with everything. Retailers do it all the time. Make what you're selling appeal, make the atmosphere conducive and appealing, and you'll sell more widgets. Plant the seed in my mind that I want a fresh pretzel, and when I happen upon your cart, well, I'm probably gonna shell out for a fresh pretzel.
As firm as we all like to think we are in our beliefs, the brain is a malleable thing. And if it's not, you have a person who is hard-hearted and stuck in their ways, and in my personal experience, generally unhappy.
A key question for me is, do we really determine what we believe, or is our belief the byproduct of what information was presented to us and how it was presented to us?
Ever see the movie inception? The whole idea was to plant a thought and make the recipient believe it was there own, so they went in through dreams.
Ever see the movie inception? The whole idea was to plant a thought and make the recipient believe it was there own, so they went in through dreams.
I've answered that question for myself, but it isn't a popular opinion
I did see that movie.
I did see that movie.