About
Mattias Desmet is a Belgian clinical psychologist and Professor of Clinical Psychology at Ghent University. He holds a PhD in psychological sciences and a Masters in Statistics, specialising in psychoanalysis. Desmet gained international attention for the theory of ‘mass formation’, detailed in his 2022 book, The Psychology of Totalitarianism which examines societal conditions that he says can lead to collective psychosis and totalitarianism.
He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and received awards like the 2018 Evidence-Based Psychoanalytic Case Study Prize. A practicing psychoanalytic psychotherapist, Desmet’s views on COVID-19 measures sparked debates and have led to many appearances on prominent platforms, including The Joe Rogan Experience.
Questions
Some of the questions we explore include:
What conditions lead ordinary people to abandon reason – and embrace tyranny?
How can sincere speech counter propaganda and resist totalitarianism in a brainwashed society?
Why do 60-65% stay silent despite sensing flawed narratives, and how do we inspire action?
Is the broken social contract in Britain fixable through evidence-based, open debate?
Can communities built on honest opinions and diverse views prevent a transhumanist future?
Discussion Log
00:00 - 02:15
Introductions – and rationale behind The Truth Contract. Antidote to contradictory information from different sources.
00:02 - 00:05
The dissatisfaction of British people in surveys – can we tell what the truth is anymore? Why have we been brainwashed and what can we do about it?
00:05 - 00:12
Matthias Desmet’s background in clinical psychology and statistics and study of academic research failures and totalitarianism. Early unease about Coronavirus crisis.
00:12 - 00:17
Different people buy into narratives for different reasons. The aim appears to be a transhumanist future involving mastery over the chaos of the world and a move towards more globalist modes of government.
00:17 - 00:21
Small groups have always sought to control larger groups. Is this simply the latest iteration of that phenomenon? Lust for power as part of the human condition. The warnings of Hannah Arendt about technocratic fascism. Many scientists understand that life is not rational in nature. Rationalists are fanatical about their project/s and many are willing to follow them.
00:21 - 00:23
The social contract in Britain has been broken. Keir Starmer’s links to Davos. How many people are actually willing to involve themselves in a solution?
00:23 - 00:29
20-30% of people believe propaganda even when it’s absurd. About 60-65% sense something wrong with the narrative but remain silent. A small group, 2 - 10%, recognises the flaws and speaks out, potentially driving societal change. Breaking this silence is crucial in resisting propaganda and emerging totalitarianism. Discussion of the contrast between classical dictatorships, where silence may be wise, with modern totalitarianism driven by fanatical ideology.
00:29 - 00:34
A personal story about what is taught in school about CO2 levels. How to convince the silent 65% to reconsider long-held narratives? A warning that AI could become a powerful propaganda tool. There is an enormous challenge in knowing what’s true in an era of pervasive narratives.
00:34 - 00:40
The importance of recognising when narratives – such as the ‘climate change’ narrative – feel wrong, even without knowing the full truth. Need for communities where people freely express honest opinions, maintain slight uncertainty, and listen to differing views to avoid fanaticism. Fanatical belief in possessing the truth leads to totalitarianism. The Truth Contract community as a place where opinions must be backed by scientific evidence, not ideology. Science is never settled, encouraging open debate always needed based on facts.
00:40 - 00:46
Honest speech is vital in resisting totalitarianism. Communities must embrace diverse opinions to avoid propaganda-driven conformity. Gandhi’s nonviolent truth-speaking as an example. Success of ‘mass formation' in silencing dissent through fear.
00:46 - 00:52
How ‘mass formation’ silences dissent despite widespread dissatisfaction shown in polls. How complex systems like the Corona crisis fuel polarisation and atomisation, disconnecting people. Sincere speech and truth-telling are vital to reconnect individuals, forming cohesive communities that resist totalitarianism’s isolating collectivism.
00:52 - 00:54
Importance of collective action, open debate, and evidence-based discussions. Reminder of Margaret Mead’s quote about small groups driving change. The vision is rooted in improving lives universally through shared energy and a commitment to humanity, rather than enriching a small elite.
00:54 - 01:10
Work of Professor Desmet on truth psychology, mass formation, and totalitarianism aligned with The Truth Contract goals. Need to practice ‘sincere speech’ daily in Samurai tradition to resist propaganda and foster ethical relationships. Likelihood that totalitarianism will self-destruct, but sincere speech is crucial to prevent societal harm first. Historical empires that collapsed due to excess – and hope in a 5% group inspiring the fearful 60% to act. The 20 non-political, common-sense issues (e.g., stopping pollution) that The Truth Contract will research first to unite people. Warnings against using propaganda to counter propaganda. Sincerity as the only remedy. Enlightenment rationalism disconnected people from truth, making them vulnerable to propaganda. Sincere speech rebuilds relationships, countering the dehumanising aspects of totalitarianism.
01:10 - 01:16
Unanimous agreement among those registering with The Truth Contract that the social contract is broken, requiring a new system. Need to listen lovingly and speak sincerely to unite people, despite varied political views, to solve shared problems. Sincere listening as vital, like sincere speech, to overcoming ego and suspending judgment to truly understand others. Both skills are necessary for rebuilding relationships and countering propaganda’s divisive effects. Vision of The Truth Contract to unite a million UK citizens to create a better system supported by the 65% who seek change. Mission is to counteract years of brainwashing by fostering honest communication and faith in the majority’s power to overcome a propagandising elite, preventing totalitarianism through community and sincerity.
01:16 - 01:21
We end with an expression of faith in the resilience of humanity against totalitarianism. A brave minority is able to drive change, as Nietzsche noted with the Renaissance. Professor Desmet emphasises sincere, vulnerable speech as the key to overcoming propaganda.
Notes and References
Arendt, H. (1951) The Origins of Totalitarianism. New York: Harcourt.
Bernays, E. (1928) Propaganda. New York: Horace Liveright.
Desmet, M. (2020) ‘The fear of the coronavirus is more dangerous than the virus itself’, News Punch, March. Available at: Link. Accessed: 6th June 2025.
Desmet, M. (2022) The Psychology of Totalitarianism. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing.
Gandhi, M.K. (1927/29) The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Ahmedabad: Navajivan Publishing House. (Note: Originally published in two parts between 1927–1929.)
Harari, Y.N. (2017) Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. London: Vintage.
Ioannidis, J.P.A. (2005) ‘Why Most Published Research Findings Are False’, PLoS Medicine, 2(8), e124. Available at: Link (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Lippmann, W. (1922) Public Opinion. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.
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