What is Gaslighting
The term originated from the 1938 play "Gas Light" and the subsequent 1944 film adaptation, but it didn't enter common usage until much later. Gaslighting gained significant popularity in the mid-2010s, with its usage increasing dramatically in recent years. In 2022, Merriam-Webster named "gaslighting" as its Word of the Year due to a 1,740% increase in lookups. Widespread application in political discourse, where Afghanistan is labeled a successful operation, our southern border is declared secure, and the protests of 2020 were “mostly peaceful” are some prime examples of gaslighting (especially those peaceful protests illuminated by gas!) Our mission is to call out these lies and educate all not to trust the media. Educating voters of all parties to review multiple sources and trust your eyes, they don't lie!. If you can see thousands of migrants rushing our borders…than the border was not secure. It's hard to see a business in flames; during the peaceful protest, or not to cry over the loss of 13 of our warriors during a “successful operation", or see the daily turmoil in so many cities and believe DHS has any concern about the citizens who pay their salaries safety. In a world increasingly filled with misinformation and psychological manipulation, a dedicated group of patriots has emerged with a singular mission: to educate Americans about the insidious nature of gaslighting. Gaslighting America's coalition seeks to empower individuals, most importantly voters, by providing the tools and knowledge necessary to recognize gaslighting in its various forms—whether in personal relationships, workplace dynamics, or in the broader societal context called Mainstream Media. Through informative resources and community outreach, we aim to foster critical thinking and resilience, helping people navigate the complexities of communication and emotional well-being. By raising awareness about the tactics of gaslighting and offering strategies to avoid its damaging effects, this group is committed to creating a more informed and empowered.
The Plot
The story begins in 1875 with the murder of world-famous opera singer Alice Alquist in her London home. Her young niece, Paula Alquist, discovers the body and is subsequently sent to Italy to study music and escape the traumatic memories. As an adult, Paula (played by Ingrid Bergman) meets and marries Gregory Anton (played by Charles Boyer), a charming pianist who convinces her to return to London and live in her inherited home at 9 Thornton Square, where her aunt was murdered. Upon their return, Paula begins to experience strange occurrences: she hears mysterious footsteps, notices objects disappearing, and sees the gaslights dimming for no apparent reason. Gregory subtly suggests that Paula is becoming forgetful and mentally unstable, isolating her from the outside world and convincing her that she is losing her mind. His manipulation is so effective that Paula starts to doubt her own sanity. Unbeknownst to Paula, Gregory is Sergis Bauer, the man who murdered her aunt. His marriage to Paula was part of a scheme to gain access to the house and search for Alice's hidden jewels. Gregory's nightly excursions to the attic, accessed through a skylight from a neighboring vacant house, cause the gaslights to dim, furthering Paula's belief in her own madness. Brian Cameron (played by Joseph Cotten), a Scotland Yard detective and admirer of Alice Alquist, becomes suspicious of Gregory's behavior. He investigates and discovers Gregory's identity and intentions. Cameron enlists the help of a local patrolman to monitor Gregory's activities. One night, while Gregory is out, Cameron visits Paula and reassures her that she is not insane. He explains the real cause of the dimming gaslights and the noises in the attic. Together, they find a letter from Alice's former lover, which Gregory had hidden to make Paula doubt her memory. This letter confirms Gregory's identity and his motive for driving Paula mad.
