The Catatonic Citizen: How Government Conditioning Freezes Society

Have you ever wondered why so many people, even when presented with hard facts, refuse to act? Why friends dismiss warnings as “conspiracies,” or why entire communities seem content to watch their freedoms erode without lifting a finger?

The answer may be found in a famous psychology experiment — one that reveals far more about government control and social conditioning than most people realize.

The Pavlov Experiment and Society

Most of us know the classic story:

• Pavlov rings a bell before feeding a dog.

• Eventually, the dog salivates at the sound of the bell alone.

That’s the pro-survival signal: bell = food.

But Pavlov didn’t stop there. He also introduced a contra-survival signal:

• He’d turn on a light, then beat the dog with a stick.

• Soon, the dog learned to fear the light.

Finally, he combined the two: the bell and the light, both at once.

The dog froze. It didn’t eat, it didn’t run — it just stood there in a catatonic state.

This is the same mechanism behind psychological conditioning by government today.

The Catatonic State of Citizens

Much like Pavlov’s dog, citizens are being conditioned to live in a state of paralysis. They are constantly pulled between rewards and punishments.

Rewards (pro-survival conditioning):

• Free schooling

• Food programs for children

• Welfare benefits

• Social Security “trust funds”

Punishments (contra-survival conditioning):

• Police tickets and fines

• IRS enforcement actions

• Code violations (even for tall grass in your yard)

• Constant threats of punishment

Caught between gratitude for “help” and fear of punishment, most people end up doing nothing. They function in daily life but remain frozen when it comes to defending their freedom and independence.

The Illusion of Action: Why Voting Doesn’t Work

When people do want to take action, the default solution is usually: vote.

But here’s the truth: voting is an illusion. It’s part of the control system itself. Politicians of all stripes insist everyone must vote. They push to expand voting rights, lower the age, even push for non-citizens to participate.

Why? Because voting is a controlled outlet. It gives the illusion of choice while keeping people trapped in the system.

Voting is the bell. Punishment is the light. Together, they create paralysis.

Dependency: The Real Trap

The real issue isn’t apathy. It’s dependency.

The dog depended on Pavlov for food. Citizens depend on government for security, benefits, and identity. That dependency makes people easy to control.

Break that dependency, and the government’s “stick” no longer has power over you.

Breaking Free: Freedom Through Law

Escaping the dependency trap requires three steps:

1. Recognize the control mechanism. See how rewards and punishments condition behavior.

2. Reduce dependency. Stop relying on government programs for survival whenever possible.

3. Study law. At first, statutes seem confusing — filled with “wherefores” and endless lists. But if you learn how to read and interpret them, you discover tools for reclaiming your freedom.

This is why learning law for freedom is one of the most powerful acts of independence. It removes the confusion and shows you how to act rather than stay frozen.

Conclusion: Don’t Stay Frozen

Most people today are like Pavlov’s dog in the catatonic state. Some run from the light (fear). Others wait for the bell (reward). And many think voting will change things — when in truth, it’s part of the same conditioning.

The path out is simple:

• Break free from dependency.

• Stop believing in the illusion of voting.

• Take direct, lawful action to reclaim independence.

Freedom requires action. If you wait, you’ll remain trapped. But if you study, learn, and act, you can escape the conditioning.

You can join my community and start your journey learning and empowering yourself and shielding yourself from tyranny. www.breedivine.com