Doctor of Psychology and Metaphysics, and lifelong student of the human mind, Eldon Taylor discussed his work in mind control and brainwashing, subliminal suggestion, lie detection, and reverse speech. The intent of his new book Mind Programming is to make people aware that marketers are spending billions to influence their minds, and that armed with this knowledge they can take back the power of their mind.

We don't stop to think that we're unable to think-- our perceptual framework has been foisted upon us, he declared, citing how violence depicted on TV and in video games acts to desensitize people to life-affirming values.

Subliminal messages have been employed by advertisers for products such as cigarettes and liquor, planting hidden material that heightens one's sense of arousal, as well as building anxiety, Taylor detailed. Political campaigns have also used these kinds of messages. For instance, during the 2000 campaign, a Bush ad against Gore, flashed the word RAT, shortened from DEMOCRAT. Such advertising does have influence, and may have even tipped the election in favor of Bush, he commented.

He also spoke about his work with lie detection and the polygraph machine, which he characterized as a kind of bio-feedback mechanism, and reverse speech, which he said has similarities to a Freudian slip.

Happiness Research

First hour guest, author and futurist Stephan Schwartz talked about research that shows happiness is contagious, and that our minds are linked. He suggested a four-fold set of tools to take control of one's life:

• Figure out what your purpose is.
• Develop a practice of focusing.
• Develop a practice of self-healing.
• Find a way to look into your future with goals, but not cherished outcomes.

He is offering a free meditation guide here.