Words hold far more power than we often realize, and that power isn’t accidental—it’s intentional. On the surface, language seems like a simple tool for communication, but it serves a deeper, often far from innocent purpose. Like Orwell’s Newspeak, where language was deliberately manipulated to control thought, our words similarly shape reality. They program how we perceive the world, influence our decisions, and dictate what we accept as truth.

Much like lines of code, language inputs instructions into our minds. Every word acts as a calculated command—not just an expression, but a force designed to direct our thoughts and actions. The beliefs we hold or the way we react can often be traced back to the words we encounter daily—words crafted to push us toward specific conclusions.

Those who grasp the true power of language use it to influence entire populations. By carefully selecting and manipulating words, they control our reality without us even realizing it. The real question is: how are you being programmed, and for whose gain?

One of the most subtle yet powerful tools in this programming is repetition. Through the illusory truth effect, when we hear something repeated enough times, we begin to believe it’s true, even if it’s entirely false. Politicians, advertisers, and media outlets are well aware of this. They embed ideas into our minds through catchy slogans or repeated claims, transforming falsehoods into accepted realities.

The framing effect is another tactic. The way information is presented can dramatically alter how we feel and react. Consider how a medical treatment with a “90% survival rate” sounds reassuring, but the same treatment described with a “10% mortality rate” feels riskier—despite the reality being identical. Politicians and marketers are experts at using framing to evoke fear or comfort, depending on their agenda.

Then there’s the halo effect, where one positive trait colors our entire perception. For example, when a celebrity endorses a product, we assume the product is just as great as the person promoting it, even if there’s no real connection between them. This taps into our natural tendency to trust familiar faces, allowing words and images to guide our thinking without much scrutiny.

On a more subconscious level, priming influences us in ways we’re often unaware of. Exposure to specific words or themes—like “success” or “wealth”—can subtly shift our mindset toward competition or materialism. In this way, language doesn’t just communicate ideas; it implants them, nudging us toward decisions we may not have made otherwise.

Social dynamics are also heavily shaped by language. Consider the false consensus effect, where certain beliefs are framed as being widely accepted, pressuring us to conform. Phrases like “everyone is doing this” or “this is the latest trend” create social pressure, playing on our desire to fit in. This is closely related to the bandwagon effect, where we’re inclined to follow the crowd to avoid feeling left out.

When confronted with facts that challenge our views, language further entrenches our beliefs through the backfire effect and confirmation bias. Rather than reconsider our positions, we often double down, clinging to our original views. Negative language is especially effective in reinforcing this, as our brains tend to remember emotionally charged words more vividly than neutral or positive ones.

At an even deeper level, subliminal influence embeds itself in our minds without us realizing it. Advertisers and media outlets carefully select words to elicit emotional responses that bypass our conscious mind. These words slip past our defenses and shape how we feel and react, without us even being aware of the control they exert.

The Controllers: Who Shapes Our Language?

If language is an algorithm of control, then who designs the code? The answer lies with those in power—political leaders, media moguls, and corporate executives. By controlling the language people hear, they manipulate how people think and behave. This manipulation occurs across industries and issues, from politics to consumerism.

Consider the language of war. When the U.S. government framed its anti-drug policies as a “War on Drugs,” it wasn’t a random choice. The term “war” evokes urgency and moral clarity, casting drugs as a clear enemy while justifying harsh policies. Similarly, after 9/11, President George W. Bush’s repeated use of the word “terrorist” helped fuel fear, leading to public support for the invasion of Iraq, based on a false narrative about weapons of mass destruction.

This isn’t limited to politics. Corporate language in advertising and product promotion is equally calculated. Words are chosen not only to sell but to shape how we view health, society, and even ourselves. Every industry—from food to pharmaceuticals—crafts language to direct our perceptions, creating trust where it may not be warranted.

Language as Code: The Algorithm of Words

Humans and computers aren’t so different. Our brains function like processors, absorbing and reacting to language as if it were lines of code. Words guide us, shaping how we think, act, and respond to the world. The everyday terms we encounter—like “television,” “consumer,” and “platform”—are not just neutral descriptors. They subtly condition us, programming our perceptions and actions.

For example, Everyday words operate in much the same way, embedding double meanings that often go unnoticed. Take “television,” for example—tell-a-vision. We don’t simply watch TV; we consume programs—content carefully engineered to shape the way we think. Words like channel and program hold deeper significance: they channel our attention and program our minds. Television isn’t just entertainment; it’s a vision being delivered, a narrative designed to influence how we perceive the world. These words carry layers of meaning, subtly guiding our understanding in ways we rarely question.

Consider this: if you search for “brainwashing patent,” one of the first results will take you to the U.S. patent website. There, you’ll find descriptions of how certain frequencies emitted by screens can affect the nervous system. Coincidence? I think not.

Other words also reinforce this double standard, connecting our real selves to the digital world of social media. Terms like consumer and newsfeed slip past our awareness but redefine us as passive recipients, merely absorbing what’s presented to us. To consume means to take in without question, and to feed implies we’re being given something to digest—fostering a sense of dependency.

Then there’s platform, a word that suggests free expression but is often designed to control how we communicate, subtly limiting genuine engagement under the guise of open dialogue. Words like community and connection are used by social networks to create an illusion of closeness, yet in reality, we’re alone behind our screens. These terms feel comforting, but they mask the isolating nature of modern digital interaction, keeping us hooked on the idea of belonging while distancing us from real-world relationships.

Smart technology promises intelligence, but in exchange, it quietly collects our data. Influencers shape our desires, and with every click of like, we’re conditioned to seek validation, tying our self-worth to external approval. Even the word content, which seems neutral, actually conditions us to accept what we’re given, rather than question or create. After all, does the content you consume truly leave you content?

Lastly, the placebo and nocebo effects offer another powerful example of how language shapes our physical and mental states. Belief alone—often driven by language—can lead to real effects, whether positive (placebo) or negative (nocebo). This underscores a profound truth: perception, driven by words, directly influences our reality.

Every word carries more weight than we realize. Hidden within everyday language are coded terms—designed not to inform, but to influence how we think and act. As you read on, you’ll begin to uncover these words for yourself—if you’re paying attention.

Reclaiming Control: Breaking the Algorithm

Understanding how language controls us is the first step toward reclaiming our mental freedom. Language is not neutral; it subtly frames our reality and shapes our beliefs. In a world where those in power carefully craft words to manipulate our perceptions, it’s crucial to recognize these hidden algorithms. By consciously examining the language we encounter, we can begin to question, resist, and break free from external control. Critical thinking becomes our most powerful tool, especially in a world where the most dangerous question you can ask is, “Why?”

End of Chapter 2