Our experiences, particularly traumatic ones, are encoded in both our DNA and our mammalian brain. These deeply ingrained patterns create psychological loopholes that can be exploited to modify behavior by altering self-perception—our very identity.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand precisely why the majority of the global population unhesitatingly accepted restrictive terms during the lockdown and why the COVID-19 propaganda campaign achieved such widespread compliance among unsuspecting citizens.
Today, we’ll examine the F.A.T.E. model, a framework authorities often employ to modify identity and, by extension, behavior.
The F.A.T.E. model—focus, authority, tribe, and emotion—represents the pillars of influence. These are innate, automatic responses that bypass conscious choice. Understanding this model not only reveals the mechanics of manipulation but also offers the tools to recognize and resist it. I learned this framework from Mr. Chase Hughes, whom I regard as the “godfather of weaponized psychology.” I strongly recommend exploring his courses and YouTube channel for deeper insights.
Focus is not consciously chosen; it’s manufactured. The human brain automatically devotes attention to novelty, an ancestral survival mechanism. For instance, while walking in a forest, our ancestors were conditioned to focus on sudden, unexpected sounds. These signals could indicate the presence of an apex predator. This automated behavior is deeply embedded in the human brain.
Humans have an instinctive response to authority figures, whether real or perceived. This autopilot system cannot be disabled. Consider the famous Milgram Experiment, where participants were instructed by individuals in lab coats to administer increasingly dangerous electric shocks to another person.
The results were chilling:
The experiment underscores a harsh truth: our mammalian brain is wired for hyper-compliance to authority. Even in a pre-digital, pre-fluoride America, with a population largely unvaccinated and capable of critical thinking, the majority succumbed. This experiment highlights that every person harbors dormant impulses that can be awakened under the right circumstances.
Humans are social creatures, wired to align with the group. The fear of abandonment—a survival threat in ancient times—compels us to follow the majority, even when it defies logic.
The Asch Conformity Experiment illustrates this principle perfectly. Participants were asked to identify the longest of three lines. Despite the correct answer being obvious, many participants conformed to the majority’s incorrect choice.
Governments exploit this tribal impulse through tools like public polls and media narratives. For instance, during the pandemic, claims that "the majority" had taken the vaccine created pressure to conform. Threats of social and economic exclusion further reinforced this behavior.
Emotions are powerful drivers of behavior, often overriding logic. When we’re emotional, we become highly suggestible, and our decision-making becomes less rational. This is why the music industry embeds subliminal messages into love songs.
Governments used emotional manipulation extensively during the pandemic:
Most of our decisions are made emotionally, with rationalization following later. Understanding this allows us to recognize when our emotions are being weaponized against us.
To achieve mass compliance, authorities deploy the F.A.T.E. model:
1. Focus: Introduce fear and novelty (e.g., a pandemic, lockdown measures).
2. Authority: Use medical experts and scientists to issue directives.
3. Tribe: Highlight the majority’s compliance and ostracize dissenters.
4. Emotion: Leverage fear, division, and social pressure to drive irrational choices.
The brain stem and spinal cord—responsible for instinctual and survival-driven behaviors—dominate in these scenarios, bypassing the critical thinking of the neocortex.
The F.A.T.E. model demonstrates how manipulation appeals to our most primal instincts, often rendering rational thought irrelevant. By understanding these mechanisms, we can recognize when they’re at play and resist their influence.
The neocortex—the center of logic and critical thinking—remains our strongest defense against manipulation. However, without awareness, the mammalian brain will continue to dictate actions and reactions.
Now that you know how manipulation works, you can begin to recognize it and make more rational choices. Thank you for reading. If you found this article valuable, please subscribe and share it with your friends.
