How much is our "freedom of thought" influenced by our environment?

After reading, Aldous Huxley's "Brave new world", I wonder if society as free as it is puts restrictions on what we think. Is it even possible to restrict a person's thought? Or perhaps ability to think? Maybe just the things you think about?
 
That is what political spin and politically correct thought is all about. Politicians cannot keep you from seeing something, but they can attempt to control the way that you think about it. Or, as they like to try to do now, distract us.
 
Of course it is. Thoughts and choice are easily influenced. This is nothing new. Modern advertising is a perfect example of the manipulation of choice. Your thoughts are easily manipulated and restricted - mostly without your knowledge. Do you really believe that the constant output of entertainment and information is increasing thought. There is no time to think. Most times we can't even determine the non-sensical premise behind information - because before we can process it there is something else to take our attention away. Have you read the beautiful, thoughtful and meaningful prose of the supposedly young and uneducated from the mid 19th century - and compared it with the verbiage of today's more 'informed' youth? There is no comparison.
 
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