A simple way to understand risks and dangers of brainwashing is to look into our history. Before Christianity, people believed in multiple Gods and were killing each other in the names of their Gods. The result of this was a real degradation of humanity and a risk of extinction of humans from the planet due to dis-balance of deaths from wars versus new born people. Take into account that this happened, because people were brainwashed to do this.

To prevent this scenario (extinction of humans) from happening, a new ideology (Christianity) was introduced, which teaches that all humans are brothers and sisters and should live in peace, justice and happiness with tolerance to disagreements. This lead to Christian Renaissance of the Early Ages. Many non-Christian ideologies/religions introduced ideas of tolerance, justice, etc. into their basic principles.

Spreading of Christianity saved human civilization from the extinction and raised the modern western civilization in prosperity and peace, on the initial stages. But, as an ideological elite was formed, the ideology was used as a tool to control populations. The elite forced Christians to steal from other people and to kill other people, because the other people do not believe in Christian ideology. The result of this corruption of the initial idea was the Dark Age for humanity. All alternative views were prohibited, trades with non-Christians were limited and this lead to a big degradation and economic depression.

As we can see from these historical examples, any brainwashing leads to slavery of those who was brainwashed by those who brainwash them and the brainwashed are forced to steal from and kill other people, who do not share their ideas/views, by orders from the brainwashers.

Arise a practical question: how people can free themselves from slavery imposed on them by brainwashing?

The answer can be found in our history. Our civilization elevated itself from the degradation of the Dark Ages by: a) opening minds to new ideas/views; b) tolerance to different and opposite points of views; c) embracing free entrepreneurship.

Indeed, discoveries in arts, sciences, trades, etc. opened minds of people. For example, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and other demonstrated that Sun is the center, not Earth for all planets to rotate around. This was very radical and different idea from the official dogma. Some people were prosecuted for their believes in such ideas, during the Dark Ages.

Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions of flying devices demonstrated that human can fly, using such devices. Gerardus Mercator introduced geographical maps, using projections from spheres on planes, which were based on the idea that Earth is spherical, not flat. All these and similar ideas were very radical and contradicted to official dogmas.

Multiple opposite ideas, theories were publicly discussed, debated and tolerated. New enterprises were created based on new ideas, theories, knowledge and discoveries. This lead to the Great Renaissance of the Middle Ages and the great prosperity for all people.

How to quickly test yourself if you was brainwashed or not?

Ask yourself these questions:

1) Do I analyze ideas, views, offers based on the strength of their arguments or on attributes of the persons who express them or my personal feeling/believes/emotions/etc.?

2) Do I respect (or at least tolerate) ideas/views, which are strongly opposite to my believes/views?

3) Am I afraid to look into something radically new and untested by others?

If you analyze ideas, views, offers based on something else than the strength of their arguments or give the answer “no” to the 2nd question or give the answer “yes” to the 3rd question then you were brainwashed.

How to quickly recognize if someone want to brainwash you?

Criterion 1. Brainwashers argue that their ideas/views are correct, but others are not, without providing unbiased arguments to support their point of view.

Criterion 2. Brainwashers appeal to authority and heard instincts in their pitches, not to logic, common sense and human reasoning.

Criterion 3. Brainwashers try to restrict your access to ideas/views of ancient or modern wise men, if these ideas/views strongly contradict to their ideas/views.

Criterion 4. Brainwashers do not propose tolerance for all non violent ideas/views, which contradict or not in the same camp as their ideas/views.

Criterion 5. Brainwashers are afraid (and often refuse) to debate their ideas/views publicly with strong critics of their ideas/views.

Criterion 6. Brainwashers demonize those, who challenge their ideas/views or strongly oppose them.

Criterion 7. Brainwashers use such tools as propaganda, disinformation and branding/labeling via mass media and other outlets.

Some examples that many of us are brainwashed and we all are under attack from brainwashers.

“You'll own nothing and be happy”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27ll_own_nothing_and_be_happy

In the last five years, we see the strong push for dictatorial controls by non elected bureaucrats and corporate CEOs.

Young generations, in their majority, now support feudalistic ideology in socialistic/communistic camouflage. (The proof of this fact are results of elections.)

All ideas/views, which contradict to the mainstream narratives are censured, disallowed, deleted, and criminalized.

Tolerance is not in fashion, today and young generations have little knowledge about it.

Political opponents are attacked and demonized.

Attacks on small enterprises and lower/middle classes are intensifying, as time passes.

There are no any honest, real public debates on the most important and critical issues we have.

Our access to alternative sources of information, views, ideas (if allowed) is strongly restricted and controlled.

Our attention to very big problems in the real world and economy is hijacked by activities in the digital world, sport events and entertainment.

Corruptions have reached astronomical proportions on all levels of society.

Majority of young people dream about a corporate or government job/career, not about a free enterprise.

Disinformation (fake news) and propaganda are now used by corporations and governments openly and covertly everywhere.