You Are Getting Very Clickable : The Secret Science of Suggestibility
The Inside Story of My Life in PR …
and how I helped to spread Conspiracy Theories
You Are Getting Very Clickable : The Secret Science of Suggestibility
The Secret Science of Suggestibility
Ever lost hours to a conspiracy theory forum, or doomscrolled through heated comment sections? You’ve been part of one of the largest online hypnosis experiments in history—no hypnotist required, just Wi-Fi.
How Social Media Triggers Mass Hypnosis
Legendary Victorian mentalist Santanelli, author of “Is Man a Free Agent?” (1902), claimed our thoughts are shaped by others—free will is just a candle flickering in a room full of persuasive voices. In this new Re-Vision edition, explore the true “Science of Suggestibility,” the mechanics behind how we:
Click viral links
Repeat slogans
Fall for influencer trends and digital cults
React to emotional messaging, memes, and fake news
Crowd Psychology, Persuasion, and Influence
Conspiracy forums are dramatic, but every online group—from book clubs to fitness influencers and crypto tribes—shows similar patterns of persuasion and groupthink.
Motivational videos and influencer marketing: everyday hypnosis
Emotional bandwagon effect in music, lifestyle, and trends: collective trance
Viral suggestions, memes and social contagion: digital persuasion
Social Suggestion – Why We Click, Share, and Believe
Whether it’s joining a gym after binge-watching motivational content, buying “genius” gadgets, or shifting music taste with the crowd—these are all trance states created by everyday suggestion and influence.
The Algorithmic Age – Digital Hypnotists
Just as Santanelli and stage mentalists like “The Great Fabiola” manipulated crowds, today’s platforms use algorithms and notification triggers to shape belief and behaviour on a massive scale.
Social media algorithms as modern hypnotists
Meme cascades, viral outrage, and emotional resonance: mass synchronisation
Cognitive bias and emotional influences in online communities
Understanding Conspiracy Beliefs & Influencer Culture
The mechanisms driving conspiracy theorists and lifestyle influencers are alike: finding patterns, building tribes, and chasing emotional highs. Ridicule rarely deprograms; it only reinforces defensive thinking.
Influence psychology: how patterns, social proof, and emotional highs build digital tribes
Defensive belief and cognitive trance: why arguing doesn’t work
Awareness and conscious scepticism: the true antidote to suggestion
Everyday Hypnosis in Consumer Choices
From café trends to viral fashion and market shifts, discover how “the law of suggestion” operates everywhere. Paradigms change when emotional friction tips, not just when facts emerge.
Psychology of choice and crowd mentality
Viral adoption and market persuasion
Emotional cost and belief formation
Practical Tips to Manage Suggestibility
Suggestibility is part of human nature—but you can train yourself to spot how influence works.
Pause before sharing “mind-blowing” posts
Think critically about persuasive images and emotional hooks
Become aware of digital hypnosis in daily life
Are You Experiencing Suggestion? Test Yourself
Ever joined an online movement after seeing viral posts?
Bought products thanks to “genius” ads?
Changed your mind to fit group attitudes?
Every instance is part of the collective psychology of digital persuasion.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions: Suggestibility, Hypnosis, and Online Influence
What is suggestibility in psychology?
Suggestibility refers to how easily individuals adopt beliefs, attitudes, or behaviours in response to external cues, such as persuasive messaging, social pressure, or emotional triggers. It is a core concept in social psychology and underpins many types of influence and hypnosis online.
How does hypnosis work in social and digital contexts?
Social and digital hypnosis occurs when repeated exposure to persuasive content, such as memes, viral trends, and influencer posts, creates trance-like states that override critical thinking and encourage group behaviour. This process uses emotional resonance, repetition, and social proof to amplify influence.
What are the signs of crowd psychology in online groups?
Warning signs of crowd psychology online include bandwagon effects, echo chambers, rapid sharing of viral content, and emotional contagion within digital communities like forums, influencer channels, and comment sections. These behaviours are typical in conspiracy theory groups, fan clubs, and social media tribes.
Who was Santanelli and what is the "Law of Suggestion"?
Santanelli was a Victorian stage hypnotist known for his theory, the “Law of Suggestion,” which states that human thoughts and choices are influenced by sympathetic resonance with others. His ideas are echoed today in digital marketing, social media psychology, and influencer tactics.
