the demon is the creature controlling what the brain has access too, and I am suggesting there are people in the real world limiting our access to and feeding us false information that essentially reduces us to brains in a vat

I can see that metaphorically, yes.

if you see a commertial and you buy something you have no need for, is this not controlling someone else actions? politicians studing words and phrases to convince people to agree with them is this not controlling peoples thoughts and actions?

yes, I was thinking of something like this in my first reply. we are on the same page here.

I would be careful if I was you ignoring the reality all around you and getting lost in your psychology and sociology articles.

ha! I'm pretty far outside the box! as in, no academic future for someone who thinks like me! I learned from journal articles, but i see a combination of self-imposed limitations and funding realities that stifle some kinds of research or discussion that is against the state or against prevailing culture... similar to what you are saying, but perhaps with a different slant to it.