The Push

What you just listened to was a trailer for a Netflix original called the Push

The Push is a social experiment conducted by Derren Brown who is a British mentalist. 

If you have been listening to the podcast you might have heard me reference Darren Brown and some of the social illusions he has run.

He really is an experiment of understanding human psychology

The premise in the push is can he create a scenario where within a span of 72 minutes he can create a scenario where a person will push a human off a building to their death.

SPOILER ALERT…. 

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT AND YOU WANT TO SEE IT PLEASE GO WATCH IT FIRST AND THEN LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

IF YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT HEARING WHAT HAPPENED THEN CONTINUE LISTENING 

I think the biggest mistake most people make when watching one of these social experiments is thinking what is wrong with these people…I would never do that

I noticed the people who are in complete denial about their ability to be manipulated are the most susceptible

We need to watch things like this and think no this could be me

I could be the person in this experiment and be cajoled into doing something that I would have never thought I would do in a million years

Example of Adam and Eve in paradise being tempted by the devil

[4:119] "I will mislead them, I will entice them, I will command them to (forbid the eating of certain meats by) marking the ears of livestock, and I will command them to distort the creation of GOD." Anyone who accepts the devil as a lord, instead of GOD, has incurred a profound loss. [4:120] He promises them and entices them; what the devil promises is no more than an illusion.

[7:17] "I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative."

[17:64] "You may entice them with your voice, and mobilize all your forces and all your men against them, and share in their money and children, and promise them. Anything the devil promises is no more than an illusion. 

[7:202] Their brethren ceaselessly entice them to go astray.

[29:3] We have tested those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.

[29:10] Among the people there are those who say, "We believe in GOD," but as soon as they suffer any hardship because of GOD, they equate the people's persecution with GOD's retribution. But if blessings from your Lord come your way, they say, "We were with you." Is GOD not fully aware of the people's innermost thoughts? [29:11] GOD will most certainly distinguish those who believe, and He will most certainly expose the hypocrites.

[3:154]… GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts.

In the push, they showed how they selected participants for the experiment

They wanted to see how agreeable and likely people would be to go with the group 

Sitting and Standing -

They had three actors sitting in a waiting room and then one by one they brought in people who wanted to be on the show then a bell would ring and the actors would stand then a bell ring and they would sit. 

Social Pressure: 

God Strengthens the Messenger

[17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us. [17:76] They almost banished you from the land to get rid of you, so they could revert as soon as you left. [17:77] This has been consistently the case with all the messengers that we sent before you, and you will find that our system never changes.

Abraham

Back to Abraham

[29:24] The only response from his people was their saying, "Kill him, or burn him." But GOD saved him from the fire. This should provide lessons for people who believe.

Social Pressure: A Profound Disaster

[29:25] He said, "You worship beside GOD powerless idols due to peer pressure, just to preserve some friendship among you in this worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, wherein you cannot help one another."

[29:26] Lot believed with him and said, "I am emigrating to my Lord. He is the Almighty, the Most Wise." 

Lot and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah

Example of Joseph

God Protects the Believers From Sin

[12:23] The lady of the house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours." He said, "May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a good home.* The transgressors never succeed." Footnote [12:24] She almost succumbed to him, and he almost succumbed to her, if it were not that he saw a proof from his Lord. We thus diverted evil and sin away from him, for he was one of our devoted servants.

Evil invites sin

[3:155] Surely, those among you who turned back the day the two armies clashed have been duped by the devil. This reflects some of the (evil) works they had committed. GOD has pardoned them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.

[6:132] Everyone will attain a rank commensurate with their deeds. Your Lord is never unaware of anything they do.

Righteousness invites God’s protection and grace

[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed.

The Only Criterion For Distinguishing Among The People

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.