The War on What You Saw: The Psychology of Gaslighting at Scale

The Power and Purpose of Obvious Lies in Authoritarian RegimesIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, host Leslie Poston explores why authoritarian regimes tell obvious lies that contradict available video evidence and their psychological impact on the public. The discussion digs into how such lies serve to dominate rather than persuade, sorting the population, degrading shared reality, and forcing individuals to either accept the lie, stay quiet, or openly reject it. The episode also touches on concepts like institutional gaslighting, epistemic violence, and moral injury, highlighting the social costs and potential resilience strategies against these tactics. The upcoming part three will focus on the psychology of resistance and collective action.00:00 Introduction to Authoritarian Lies00:36 The Psychology Behind Obvious Lies01:44 Propaganda and Domination02:25 Sorting the Population03:08 Degrading Shared Reality03:37 Forcing a Choice04:22 Institutional Gaslighting05:05 Epistemology of Ignorance06:32 Racist Gaslighting08:02 Moral Injury and Exhaustion10:14 The Cost of Dissent12:27 Social Connection as Resistance14:22 The Power of Documentation14:53 The Vulnerability of Obvious Lies15:24 Looking Ahead: The Psychology of Resistance15:46 Conclusion and Sign Off ★ Support this podcast ★