How much do you believe it can be done?  To what extent?  Can an adult of normal IQ and mental function really be brainwashed?  I watched 20/20 and saw about this NXIVM self-help group that is labeled a cult by some.  Scientology gets brainwashing thrown around it too.  But I kinda don't feel it.  It gives me a feeling like as if someone else can take over someone's free will.

A long time ago I had a fascination with conspiracy theories and MK-Ultra was definitely in that realm. Overall it seemed like the government was never able to create a super soldier via brainwashing.  They tried always seemed to fail.

Patty Hearst got off on charges of robbing a bank because she was brainwashed.  I tend to cry shenanigans. In fact, I tend to cry shenanigans on brainwashing altogether.  Even in domestic abuse, gang violence, sex trafficking etc, I am calling BS.

Do you think you can change my mind on brainwashing?  Change my mind.

Brainwashing in the evil conspiracy sense.. no. Manipulation, yes. A master manipulator, a true salesman will convince you of anything. You build a strong enough narrative, and tap into the right emotions and you're halfway there.

Depends on where you draw the line for brainwashing, I suppose.

If you mean like convincing someone he's not human but a reincarnated dragon trapped in the body of a man or something I guess I would agree but I absolutely believe gaslighting is a real thing. And once you can really get someone started on that -- start questioning what they see with their own eyes, doubt the validity of their own memories because they don't trust their own senses, lose confidence in their own judgment -- it's a slow but inevitable slog to positioning yourself as the trusted alternative.

I don't believe in brainwashing in the Manchurian Candidate sense, but with the proper manipulation, I think most people's minds can be broken. Convinced of things that aren't true, doubting reality, or bent to your whims. Like a wife mentally abused to the point where she truly believes she deserves it.