Two Step Theory Explained – How Influencers Program the Masses
The Two-Step theory is a mental model which explains how information gets processed by the masses.
It will help you become a clear thinker and avoid psychological manipulation.
The theory comes from the world of media.
In the past, people believed in the ‘Hypodermic Needle’ model.
The idea was messages from the media were injected directly into the brains of the unsuspecting masses.
If the news said something was true people would believe it.
However, with time, people have become more discerning (some people anyway).
Information is now primarily consumed through charismatic influencers.
When something happens, people turn to Russel Brand, Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, Bill Gates and other influential people to make sense of the story.
The Two-Step theory says information comes from the media and is interpreted by influencers who then pass the message to their followers.
Examples of Two-Step theory
2020
The events surrounding the 2020 flu virus were perhaps some of the best examples of the two-step theory at play. Most media outlets would release information which would then be interpreted by people on both sides of the medical consent debate.
Alternative platforms such as Rumble and Rokfin blew up during that time and had thousands of influencers who were ready to interpret mainstream news from an alternative debunking view.
There were also many influencers who supported the mainstream view of medical treatments being necessary.
The two step theory was also seen at play during the US presidential elections of that year. Media outlets delivered news and various talking heads interpreted it for their followers.
Read a history book and you will find countless examples of influential figures guiding the minds of the masses.
Why is it called Two-Step Theory?
The process happens in two steps hence the name.
Today, people have swapped blindly listening to the mainstream media to blindly listening to influencers.
They have become ‘followers’ and not free thinkers.
Most don’t understand that influencers are easily bought out.
Money is a strong incentive, and many people will change their stance on any topic for the right price.
The father of Propaganda Edward Bernays explained this process many years ago.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”- Edward Bernays
Many influencers now serve as proxies for the ruling overlords to spread their message.
Have you ever wondered why there seems to only be two sides to any political issue?
You support Black Lives Matter, or you don’t.
You support certain medical choices, or you don’t.
You support the LGBTQ+ community or you don’t.
You are bullish on Bitcoin or believe in traditional currencies.
You support veganism or you don’t.
Why is there never room for nuance?
Why is it that you can’t support certain aspects of a group or viewpoint whilst rejecting others?
Why do you have to be a zealot for a cause?
These oversimplifications of incredibly complex issues are created on purpose.
They are created to make the propaganda more palatable.
One of the most important laws of marketing is keeping the message simple.
People have different levels of discernment and comprehension.
Some people find it hard to understand very basic concepts whilst others are more sophisticated.
Many don’t have the courage or confidence to think for themselves and are more akin to sheep than human.
This lack of critical thinking is derived from an education system which focuses on route learning.
School’s purpose is to create obedient followers.
If your propaganda message is too intellectual, it will only be understood by a small percentage of the population.
If your message is simple and straightforward it will be understood by everyone.
This is something former US President Donald Trump took advantage off during his electoral run.
“CHINA IS BAD”
“THEY TOOK OUR JOBS”
“WE MUST BUILD A WALL”
Despite what people think, Trump is actually a psychological genius.
He dumbed himself down to be understood by the masses.
If you watch his business seminars on real estate he speaks very differently to how he does on the public scene.
Trump is a persona.
He’s not stupid by any means but very cunning.
If you want to win the psychological battle you need numbers on your side.
To get those numbers you must appeal to the common denominator.
In and out Groups
This oversimplification is also done to create ‘In’ and ‘Out’ groups.
When you have people within a group fighting the war for you it’s more powerful than if you were just fighting it yourself.
In 2022 Andrew Tate blow up the internet.
A big contributor to his rise was his dedicated fans.
Radical fans will spread your message like wildfire.
Cult followers will fight the good fight better than you ever could.
This is what’s creating the wide division we are seeing in the political arena.
How to overcome the two-step theory effect
The answer is to reach new heights of self-sovereignty.
Self-sovereignty is one of the most important tenets of The Realized Man.
It’s about learning to fend for yourself.
A big part of being self-reliant is reaching your own conclusions after reviewing the evidence.
As a human, you can’t be good at everything.
You have several blind spots which skew your perceptions.
Hence why it’s important to know your circle of competence and to never step outside of it.
The things which lie inside your circle of competence are things your are confident about.
I am confident in my ability to walk and read and write.
I am not confident in my ability to fly a 737 despite previously flying one in a simulator.
When something is outside your skill level you need to venture outside yourself.
In matters when you don’t know who to trust it becomes important to use your critical thinking to decipher the puzzle.
Look at the incentives of the people in play.
Ask yourself, ‘Cui Bono’ (to whom is it a benefit?) when following the breadcrumbs.
Assess each person on their track record.
Have they lied before?
Are they really who they say they are?
What are the honest signals?
In biology an honest signal is something which can’t be faked easily.
Male peacocks with large and beautiful feathers are attractive to female peacocks because their feathers are an honest signal.
Despite being a bright and glaring target for predators the male peacock has survived long enough to do it’s dance.
Many women claim they are looking for men who earn over six-figures a year.
Money is an honest signal because it requires several character traits to get.
Typically for a man to have a significant amount of money he will need to have a degree of intelligence, courage or ambition.
It’s hard to make money by accident without having certain character traits so for many it’s an honest signal.
When looking at influencers for advice look for the honest signals which can’t be faked.
Do this and you will be one step closer to living and dying well.