Fascinating example on the power of language, thanks for sharing.

There's something about Milton's delivery--maybe it's the cadence or the way he structure his sentences--that reminds me of filmmaker David Lynch. Are you familiar with his work? He often speaks in symbols, and even when giving simple interviews I get the sensation that there's a narrative format to his answers.

There's also something to be said on the power of repetition:

"As sure as God made little green apples..." "As sure as God made little green apples..." "As sure as God made little green apples..."

At a point, it starts to feel like "little green apples" serve as a trigger (as in, for sleeper agents) or as a codephrase/comms for something else entirely. It's not necessarily malicious, but in the case of Hollywood movies and certainly Sam Harris videos, it likely is.

A parting thought on this subject:

I have been revisiting a Canadian movie from 2008 called Pontypool. I don't want to give too much away, but the core themes have to do with language and brainwashing. Repetition comes into play as well. Here's the first scene... Milton Erickson vibes for sure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQauJW09qRs