Distorted: The Psychology of Gaslighting, the Power of Story, and the Practice of Clarity

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Jim Detjen

Distorted

Name: Distorted
Price: 32.36 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9798993261430

The Psychology of Gaslighting, the Power of Story, and the Practice of Clarity

Jim Detjen

$37.95 $32.36

Paperback

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English

Katapult Press
10 February 2026

Media studies; Ethical issues: censorship; Sociology: family & relationships; Social, group or collective psychology

What if the most powerful tool of control isn't a lie - but making you doubt the truth you already hold?

In Distorted, strategist and media voice Jim Detjen pulls back the curtain on the subtle art of gaslighting - not only in relationships, but across politics, culture, technology, education, and even faith. Through gripping stories, cultural case studies, and sharp aphorisms, he reveals how ""poetic truths"" - stories that feel right but ignore facts - have quietly reshaped our shared reality.

Inside, you'll discover:

The gaslighter's playbook - denial, doubt, dependence, control - and how to spot each move in real time. How politics, media, and culture reframe facts until they vanish. Case studies from the NFL concussion scandal, Volkswagen's ""clean diesel,"" the COVID era, social media algorithms, and more. Why history, from Roman gladiators to modern warfare, shows the same choreography of distortion. What the ""fringe"" reveals - from UFOs to the Mandela Effect - when official stories collide with lived experience. How language itself - from euphemisms to buzzwords like gaslighting - becomes a weapon. Practical counter-moves to resist manipulation and reclaim clarity.

Distorted is not just diagnosis - it's defense. With memorable maxims (""The lie gets the billboard. The truth gets the broom.""), it arms readers with a framework to resist distortion and protect their perception in an age where doubt is manufactured.

For readers of Malcolm Gladwell, Jonathan Haidt, or Orwell's 1984, this is both a cultural lens and a survival manual for the fog of the information age.

✨ Whether you're scrolling headlines, sitting in a boardroom, or talking at your own dinner table, Distorted will change how you see - and what you trust.

By: Jim Detjen
Imprint: Katapult Press
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 463g
ISBN: 9798993261430
Pages: 346
Publication Date: 10 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Jim Detjen is a brand strategist, media voice, and podcast host who has spent decades uncovering how stories shape culture and power. A U.S. Army veteran and former member of The Old Guard, the Army's historic ceremonial unit in Washington, D.C., he is known for his clarity under pressure and his ability to challenge narratives with precision.He is the creator of Gaslight 360 and the host of the Think First podcast, where he examines the mechanics of gaslighting, the allure of poetic truth, and the ways both distort our perception of the world. His work spans advising Fortune 500 companies, building platforms that challenge cultural narratives, and building brands.He lives in Utah, where he continues his work at the intersection of strategy, culture, and storytelling. He and his wife have children studying at Harvard (two), the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Berklee College of Music - the world's leading school for contemporary music and the arts.