David Broughton says "Perhaps soaps are there to keep our minds docile and not to question...it is all very Orwellian to me" (Letters, August 19).

There is no perhaps about it - it is Orwellian. That is how the system is supposed to work on us.

Firstly, we must be persuaded to keep watching the TV itself, which is designed to create the illusion of reality for us.

Then we must be persuaded to buy the products, services and/or ideas they have for sale on it.

TV advertisers use particular techniques of persuasion to put us in a relaxed, unquestioning, uncritical state of mind - akin to an hypnotic trance - dulling our energy and ability to (i) think clearly for ourselves (ii) take the necessary action, and (iii) reach for the "off" button.

The system works for countless millions, many of whom consider it all harmless fun, especially for children.

But some don't buy it at all.

-Richard W Symonds, Ifield, Crawley