Well today I was out and about, when we began talking about MSM and Political gaslighting. I was shocked, a little, when I found out that only 2 people in the conversation knew really what exactly gaslighting means. So.... Let's discuss it.
What Is Gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where someone makes another person doubt their own memory, perception, or sanity. It is not just lying. It is strategic distortion of reality to gain control or avoid accountability.
Examples of Gaslighting
In Relationships
• Minimizing Feelings: “You’re overreacting. It wasn’t that serious.”
• Denial of Events: “I never said that. You must be imagining things.”
• Twisting Reality: “You’re the one who made me act that way.”
• Fake Compassion: “I love you too much to ever hurt you. You’re just being paranoid.”
From Parents
• Emotion Dismissal: “You’re not really upset. You’re just tired.”
• Rewriting History: “That never happened. You always exaggerate.”
• Undermining Confidence: “You’re too sensitive. You need to toughen up.”
In the Workplace
• Blame Shifting: “You misunderstood the instructions. This is your fault.”
• Withholding Info: “I told you about the deadline. You must’ve forgotten.”
• Sabotaging Success: “Sure, you got promoted, but it’s only because they felt sorry for you.”
In Politics and Media
• Denial of Reality: “No one died during the crisis,” despite clear evidence.
• Discrediting Critics: Labeling journalists or whistleblowers as “hysterical” or “biased.”
• Creating Alternate Narratives: Rewriting historical events or denying public memory.
Why Young People Struggle to Understand It
Overuse and Mislabeling The term “gaslighting” is often used casually to describe any disagreement or dishonesty, which waters down its meaning.
Confusion About Intent Many young people believe gaslighting must be intentional to count, though experts debate this. Manipulation can be subconscious or systemic.
Lack of Pattern Recognition Gaslighting is often repetitive and cumulative. Young people may spot isolated incidents but miss the long-term erosion of self-trust.
Missing Nuance Some think gaslighting only happens in romantic relationships, overlooking its presence in families, schools, workplaces, and politics.
Why It Matters
Misunderstanding gaslighting can:
• Leave victims vulnerable to deeper abuse
• Normalize toxic behavior
• Undermine efforts to hold manipulators accountable
Now hopefully the next generation can see and understand gaslighting techniques and how to call them out when used toward them. Knowledge is power.
A Krusty ol' Veteran
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