1. Not everything is exactly what it initially seems. Take these images for example: Is it an old woman or is it a young girl? Can one image mean more than one thing?

2. what do you see in this image?

3. How about something a little more challenging...

4. And one final sample to open your mind...

5. Subliminal messages are messages hidden beneath another more obvious message. The message is interpreted through the self-conscious and it reaches the viewer on a different level. Often, the viewer does not even realize he/she is being manipulated.

6. Here is a movie trailer from the 2001 movie Josie and the Pussycats. Watch closely...

7. Did you catch that??? How many times was your mind manipulated in the last 2 minutes?

8. And that's not all...

9. Let's watch it again and see if you notice...

10. Subliminal messages are effective as the message is often repeated several times without viewers noticing. The message is not obvious, so viewers do not take the time to consider beliefs, rather they act on impulse. Have you ever had a craving out of the blue? Maybe it isn't as "out of the blue" as you believe. Quite often, the craving is spurred on by something you have seen or heard mentioned. Think about movies, television shows, magazines, and event posters. Sending subliminal messages is a multi-million dollar business. The more popular the movie, the more corporations pay to have their products or logos featured. Let's take a few moments, can you think of any examples of products you see often featured in mass media?

11. Time for a little experiment... Mind Game #1_ Subliminal Advertising.mp4

12. And the messages aren't always visual. Sometimes, the messages you hear are just as powerful as those you see. Derren Brown - Subliminal messaging EXPLAINED.mp4

13. Still don't believe me? Let's see it one more time in action... Derren Brown Subliminal Advertising with explanation.mp4

14. So what does this mean for us??? We need to be conscientious viewers of media. Once we realize that we are surrounded by propaganda, and that we are constantly being manipulated, we can begin to take control of our minds and the messages we are receiving. It is important to be critical thinkers and to understand the effect our surroundings have on us. Ask yourself... ·What message does the image send? How am I expected to respond? ·Who is the target audience? ·Why was the media created? ·How is it framed? What is the focal point? Where is my eye being drawn?

15. ·What story is being told? ·How are colour, sound, and pace being used? ·How are they trying to make me feel? ·How realistic is it? ·Is anything being left out? And WHY is it being left out? ·Is there a secondary message?