So I want to add to my theory a bit. This game is for sure about MKULTRA, you simply don't know what the program is if you don't realize this by now, I want people to be aware of this perspective!

FF8 is largely an allegory, meaning the characters take on abstract concepts.

Squall: sublimation of emotions
Seifer: "decipher" serves as a role model of discipline and later copies Squall's white knighting
Quistis: "quizzical" doesn't fit in as the elder, maintains obedience through whip
Selphie: "ego/self" takes on different personalities resulting from rich social upbringing, nunchaku represents alter ego
Zell: "zell" enough said
Irvine: "innervation or vine" both a retardant and catalyst in the story, comes in later to balance Balamb's perspective

Yeah, I don't know how this theory hasn't been popularized yet somehow.