Nicely stated, John.
I was trained and worked as a Hubbard Professional Word Clearer as one of my first posts in the Sea Org. ANY time a student paused, did not go forward, etc., was spending time contemplating an idea, had a disagreement, etc., they were sent to me. EVERY word that read on the emeter was cleared. Scientology words, of course, ONLY with Scn tech and admin dictionaries.
This interrupted the entire thought process of disagreement, comparing and relating material to one's life. It was, in actuality, a key process of brainwashing. By interrupting the thought processes where one might think for one's self about what was being read and analyze it, by focusing on the words and not the truth or rationality of what was being said, even the most independent thinkers could be, and were, brainwashed.
On an unrelated post, I mentioned that it is this very process of pausing and comparing things in our life that get our attention which brings about personal awareness. Quite often, this is what "reads" on the emeter. But no, we stayed away from that in Scn and would instead ask for "E/S Misunderstood word". How awful.
So many of those who practice Scn outside of COS still have this minute focus on the words, rather than a broader perspective they might have obtained otherwise. Can't see the forest for the trees, would rather be part of the forest than a tree in the forest.
“Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to be always part of unanimity.” Christopher Morley (1890 - 1957)