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I'm glad you bring that up.

I'm just using the numbers offered by Mattias Desmet in his book, The Psychology of Totalitarianism. This is what Desmet believes is the true percentage range of people who can be brainwashed in a general population.

Here's an old note I took from Desmet's book:

Desmet argues that the percentage of people who can be part of a mass formation (i.e., hypnotized mob) is between 25-35%. He believes this percentage cannot be higher for several reasons:
Individual Differences in Susceptibility: Desmet posits that not everyone is equally susceptible to mass formation due to individual psychological differences. Some people have a higher level of critical thinking, independence, and emotional stability, making them less likely to succumb to the collective mindset.
Levels of Anxiety and Isolation: For mass formation to occur, there needs to be a significant level of free-floating anxiety and social isolation. While these conditions can be prevalent in society, they do not affect everyone to the same extent. Therefore, only a portion of the population is vulnerable enough to be absorbed into the mass formation.
Resistance from Opposing Views: Desmet also suggests that there is always a segment of the population that holds strong opposing views and resists conforming to the dominant narrative. This group acts as a counterbalance, preventing the mass formation from encompassing a larger percentage of the population.
Structural Constraints: The structure of society and the diversity of viewpoints inherently limit the spread of mass formation. In a pluralistic society, the variety of perspectives and the presence of democratic institutions can impede the full consolidation of a single collective mindset.
These factors contribute to Desmet's conclusion that the extent of mass formation is naturally capped at around 25-35% of the population.