I've had a number of emails from clients and readers of this and other forums asking about the upcoming switch to Digital TV and did I see it as a giant, global mind control device.  My answer is no for a number of reasons.  Let me explain them.

The first deals with the technology behind the switch.  Most of us, if we have cable TV, have had digital in our homes for years.  An analog TV signal requires a bandwidth of 6 MHz to transmit the voice and video portions of the signal.  There are places where subcarriers can be inserted to carry other unrelated data as well. Consider 68 channels in the VHF and UHF bands and that's a lot of the usable spectrum taken up by analog TV.  Digital signals, making use of some of the mpeg technologies, take only a small fraction of this space and are far more efficient,powerwise, than analog. Digital signals are also more suited for the existing data transmission technologies we have today making use of high performance fiber optics.  Most of use have fiber to the curb in front of our houses now - such wasn't the case 10 years ago.

Many are frightened by the converter boxes that the government is subsidizing.  This is not without precedent although it was previously behind the scenes.  As broadcasting technology has advanced, new features have been added to the capability of broadcasters.  Color for TV and stereo for FM and AM (yes stereo AM - didn't catch on and XTRA in Mexio was the only station I knew of).  The stipulation placed on manufacturers was that the switch not affect the ability of older sets that did not have the features to receive the signal at the same quality as before the feature was added.  This meant in the late 50's and early 60's, that big black and white console TV or FM radio (MONO) you had, would continue to receive programs until it broke or was replaced.

Digital broke the mold.  Stereo FM is accomplished with a small subcarrier that carries the Left minus Right channel information while the main carrier carries Left plus Right.  Muzak and telemetry may be on other subcarriers requiring only a proper receiver.  Color TV is an addition of color information with black and white levels in the signal untouched.  Digital TV is a total change in how the signal is formatted - ones and zeroes as opposed to an almost infinite number of levels in complex waveforms.  The converters take the digital input (from an antenna - not needed if you already have cable) and convert it to an analog signal to be consumed by the TV.  The government subsidized it due to the large number of people that don't have cable and can't afford new TVs.  This allows existing sets to continue to receive broadcasts until they are replaced.

So what prompted the changes?  The technology exists to broadcast signals with far greater resolution at reduced bandwidths.  As a ham radio operator since the mid-70's (first as WB5MJT and later as KC4RP) if have enjoyed working with both fast and slow scan TV.  Slow scan TV involves sending a still picture in the same bandwidth as a voice conversation.  This limits how large a picure can be sent and at what resolution.  Several years back we began to experiment with sending high resolution images in digital formats and the same bandwidth.  This has led to experimentation with digital voice modes as well.  The advent of the standards and equipment for HDTV had led to the digitzation of the broadcast industry.  It is cheaper and more efficient for them and provides a better signal and picture for you.

The second reason is need.  Very little is needed beyond what is already in place to bombard us with a constant stream of overt and covert behavior control messages.  The most popular conspiracy theorists have a network of satellites, HAARP (one of their favorites) and some others using Lowry's 'Silent Subliminals' to gt the whole 'battle hardened' Iraqi Republican Guard to surrender en masse.  This had little if anything to do with mind control and intense Psy-ops and much to do with human nature.  Most of the Republican Guard hated what Iraq had become but also knew enough to keep theor mouths shut.  They had a sweet deal.  Battle hardened - Yes - against the Iranians where surrender meant torture and slow death.  Most of these guys had had dealing with Americans and knew that the worst they could expect after surrender was humane treatment, meals that conformed to their religion, time and place to pray and a Koran to read...even if they got confined at Gitmo (most did not go there).  A real no brainer for most of them.

Subliminals take time to work.  You are exposed to a constant barrage of messages telling you that certain behaviors are now acceptable or not acceptable, that certain products will make you more attractive to the opposite sex, that certain segments of the population are a certain stereotype (ever wonder why 'real world' lesbians like Rosie or Ellen don't look like the supermodels that portray these types in shows?).  But then several years ago Ellen and Rosie both bombed coming out of the closet.  Now at least Ellen has a popular show again.  Her first attempt was too early and too overtly in your face.  Her new one is scaled back on the sexual preference aspects now that hers is well established.

We live in a time where control of our minds is a constant struggle to examine what we are told vs what we believe as core values.  Children growing up without these values will have nothing to base their beliefs on other than what is presented to them.  World leaders know that the wheels of social engineering move slowly but surely.  Digital TV as a form of mind control?  No more than analog TV or FM Radio, or movies or magazines (and their ads too), or the background music at the megamart.  

Be smart and question what you hear or any belief that seems at odds with what you belief as a core value.

Dr. Richard Price
RCP Consulting

No commercial message this time.  You know where the store is. 

Have a Merry Christmas or Happy Chanukah and spend some quality time relaxing and enjoying family and all that life has given you.

Love and Peace to you all.

RP