Thread by @UncleMannyII

"Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties" by Tom O'Neill is non-fiction. It explores the Manson Family murders, cultural and political backdrop of the 1960s.

O'Neill delves into the possibility of connections between Charles Manson and the CIA's MK-Ultra program, and other hidden government operations.

O'Neill questions whether the official explanation of the Manson murders as a random act of violence is accurate and raises doubts about the motives and influences behind the crimes.

MK-Ultra was a top-secret CIA program that ran from the 1950s into the 1970s, focusing on mind control and behavioral manipulation through the use of drugs, hypnosis, and other techniques. It involved experiments on unwitting subjects.

Dr. Jolly West was a respected psychiatrist and a key figure in the field of behavioral modification. He conducted research related to MK-Ultra and was known to have connections to the intelligence community.

Some have alleged that West had interactions with Charles Manson and his followers, potentially for research purposes, as part of his involvement in the MK-Ultra program.

O'Neill suggests that Dr. West's involvement in the Manson case might indicate a deeper, hidden agenda behind the murders. O'Neill raises questions on Manson and followers being unwitting subjects in mind control experiments, and if influenced or manipulated by outside forces.

The official goal of MK-Ultra was to develop and research techniques for mind control, behavioral modification, and chemical interrogation. It was a part of the broader Cold War-era efforts to gain an advantage in intelligence and espionage.

1. Mind Control Experiments:
MKUltra involved experiments, many of which were conducted without the informed consent of the subjects. These included the use of drugs like LSD, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and manipulation of an individual's thoughts and behaviors.

2. Testing Drugs and Substances:
One of the primary focuses of MK-Ultra was to understand their potential use in intelligence operations. The CIA was interested in developing substances that could be used for interrogation, brainwashing, or covertly influencing individuals.

3. Involvement of Academia and Hospitals:
The CIA collaborated with universities, hospitals, and research institutions to conduct these experiments. Many of the experiments were carried out in a highly unethical manner, often without the subjects' knowledge or consent.

4. Secrecy and Controversy:
The program was highly secretive, and many of its records were destroyed in the 1970s. MK-Ultra became the subject of controversy and public outrage when its existence was revealed in the 1970s.

5. Military Involvement:
While MK-Ultra was primarily a CIA program, it involved military personnel. Some of the research had potential military applications. The military was interested in understanding how to control and manipulate the minds of enemy combatants and assets.

6. Legacy:
The MK-Ultra program left a dark legacy, raising significant ethical and legal concerns. The revelations about MK-Ultra contributed to increased oversight and regulation of research involving human subjects, leading to changes in research ethics.

MK-Ultra was a covert and highly controversial CIA program with the official aim of researching mind control, behavioral modification, and chemical interrogation techniques during the Cold War era.
Many question whether it ended in the 70's or just went deeper.

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