[ubuntu-za] Subliminal Message Software

[Lee Sharp]

Dr. Johan P. Prinsloo wrote:

> While my request for info on linux software for use in this research
> project has sparked interesting debate and even interest in the use of
> subliminal messages for self-improvement I want to also offer some
> warning about it. One must remember that the utilisation of subliminal
> messages is a form of hypnosis and could have negative consequences if
> not properly worded and used wrongly.
> 
> If any of the members of the forum do wish to make use of it I suggest
> they first read up about it and the most important aspect is that the
> messages intended to be used should be carefully studied before
> launching it on the desktop. The message must be written in a positiver
> sense, for example:
> "I will never smoke again" is the wrong way of wording it, because the
> mind will absorb the sentence as "I will.....smoke again". The word
> "never" is disregarded, because it is a minor part of the sentence. It
> should rather be worded as follows "I love inhaling clean air", which
> has no bad negative connotation and the mind cannot interpret it
> wrongly. Eventually the mind would not want you to inhale unclean (smoke
> filled) air.
> 
> Always keep in mind the example often presented by motivational speakers
> and others, which is the following : "Try not to think of a blue tree".
> When being told that, it is virtually impossible not so see / think of a
> blue tree. For one not to think of a blue tree, one's mind first needs
> to picture the blue tree that it should not be thinking of and as such
> you end up thinking of / visualising a blue tree, which in turn defeats
> the whole purpose.
> 
> "I will never smoke again", of course your mind first needs to visualise
> you smoking and that is the image that gets stuck in your mind, which
> defeats the whole purpose. So if you do want to use subliminal messages
> for good intentions and self improvement , think carefully about your
> wording. If you want to stop smoking you have to see / perceive / think
> of yourself as a non-smoker. You would want to replace the calming
> effects you feel you derive from sucking on a cigarette by re-educating
> yourself / your mind to getting the same calming effect from drinking a
> cup of water.
> 
> In this study we intend increasing productivity and optimising
> concentration by ensuring the person takes effective breaks in between
> and giving them positive well constructed messages to optimise their
> concentration. It would for instance be unethical, even with informed
> consent, to suggest they should work harder and longer hours, not taking
> lunch, etc. We want them to work smarter, not harder, to take breaks at
> set intervals where we know people's ability to concentrate starts
> dropping, rather than for them to continue slogging on and making
> mistakes, which leads to corrections which lead to loss in productivity.
> 
> Thanks for all the help and comments, but please think carefully when
> drafting subliminal messages for self-improvement and do not use it on
> people without their consent, particularly without expert advice on this
> subject.


I really love the stuff I get from lists like this.  Thanks for the warning!

How are you doing the breaks?  Is it RSI avoidance software?  I would 
love to do some followup on what you find.

			Lee