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1. Hypnosis can produce criminals!
The criminal hypnotist has long been a staple of fiction, and indeed, such persons are often known as "Svengalis" after a character in a popular novel. Actual examples of people who used hypnosis for antisocial activity are rare, but legends of famous criminal hypnotists include the occultist Cagliostro, the counterreformationist Savonarola, and the infamous "Mad Monk," Rasputin. In this century we have many possible examples of hypnotically-induced criminal activities, but until now there has never been any hard evidence confirming that hypnosis can be and is used for criminal purposes.
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You can be forced to kill!
An extensive study of recent advances in hypnotic therapy conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Psychology have proven that hypnotic techniques have been developed over the past five years which can induce a subject to commit acts which the subject would not otherwise countenance. This means that a skilled and unscrupulous hypnotist, using these newly-discovered principles, can compel a law-abiding individual into criminal behavior, not excluding murder.
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You can by hypnotized without even knowing it!
The actual hypnotic procedure is a closely guarded secret, but in general, the method is quite simple. The hypnotist lulls the subject into lassitude, sometimes with alcohol, sometimes with other pleasurable experiences, including sex, massage, steam baths, vibration, music, food, and other sensual stimulation. The hypnotist then generates some form of rhythmic activity which is synchronized with the subject's alpha brain rhythm. Using suggestion and repetition, the hypnotist begins altering the subject's perception of reality. In some instances, the hypnotized victim is led to believe that a harmful act is innocuous. In other instances, the victim is led to believe that destructive behavior will be ultimately beneficial. The victim is not aware of being in a dream-state, created by the hypnotist. Properly applied, this hypnotic technique succeeded in 89 percent of the instances in which it was tested.
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2. Don't look to science for protection!
Despite centuries of scientific investigation, very little is known about the psychological mechanism by which hypnotic suggestion assumes control of behavior. A study of hypnosis by the National Institute of Mental Illness reveals that twenty-three percent of the individuals surveyed had an acute susceptibility to hypnotic suggestion. It is unknown why almost one quarter of the population should be susceptible. Researchers have concluded that it may be tied to basic personality traits and genetic preponderances which are not yet fully understood.
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Almost anybody can be victimized!
This process was pioneered by the Chinese Communist government with "Brain-washing" techniques used on prisoners of war. The Soviet Union also conducted extensive research into involuntary hypnosis beginning in 1928. Regrettably, most of their data was destroyed with the dissolution of the KGB in 1989. From information gleaned from these and other sources, scientists have deduced that drugs and rhythmic motion or light are effective in approximately eighty-three percent of the population. The modern-day proliferation of hypnotic drugs and hallucinogens makes substance-induced hypnosis increasingly feasible for criminal hypnotists.
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Vern is case-book example.
A typical case study of this type of hypnotic homicide invariably describes a complex relationship between hypnotist and subject. The hypnotist takes care to appear to be the subject's friend and protector. In many instances the subject displays a psychological need which the hypnotist appears to satisfy. Little by little the hypnotist encroaches on the subject's will. Many times the subject assumes an identity provided by the hypnotist. By creating situations which require this alter ego to take specific actions, the hypnotist conditions the subject to relinquish control of behavior. Once this surrender of control has been accomplished, the subject is ready to do almost anything the hypnotist suggests. This action may be any kind of criminal behavior up to and including murder and suicide.
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Hypno-assassins can be anywhere!
As hypnotic drugs and knowledge about hypnotism proliferates, there will be a great increase in the use of hypnotized victims as criminal surrogates and political assassins. Hypnotically-induced assassins can come from any social strata. They can include both sexes. Assassins may be triggered by post-hypnotic suggestion, turning honest and respectable people into terrorist soldiers. The enemy soon may be your closest associate or family member. It may even be you!
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We can stop this menace with fast action!
There are several approaches to control this incipient law enforcement catastrophe. The first and best method is to outlaw hypnosis and destroy all information pertaining to this technique. Another excellent plan is to develop a method for determining if a person is under hypnotic influence and require frequent universal testing. A very important measure would be to regulate or even to outlaw the Internet. But the best suggestion is increased vigilance. Always be watchful for hypnotized persons. Learn the external signs of hypnotic possession. Know all the quirks and traits of friends and loved ones, and become suspicious when they are not "acting like themselves."
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Conclusion
It is to be regretted that technology has expanded without sufficient moral guidance by religion and government. The challenge is enormous. The public must be made aware of the danger, and funding for research must be increased many-fold. More manpower must be devoted to searching for hypnotic killers. There is still time to avert this terrible new social crisis.
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