Reports/Memoirs from the Perpetrator Side of Hypnosis & Brainwashing
Key Cases & Sources Focused on the “Operator” Perspective
Jules Liégeois & the Nancy School (19th‑century France)
Jurist-psychologist Jules Liégeois explored “experimental crimes” under hypnosis, showing how a subject could be led to carry out acts against their will. His writings explicitly warn about the potential misuse of hypnotic suggestion—an early, clear look at the mindset and methods of the operator.
The Palle Hardrup Case (1951, Denmark)
Bank-robber-turned-killer Palle Hardrup claimed he was hypnotized by a friend who manipulated him into committing the crime. While much coverage centers on the victim’s perspective, documentaries and interviews around the case illuminate the perpetrator/operator side as well.
George H. Estabrooks (20th‑century, U.S.)
Psychologist George Estabrooks publicly advocated (controversially) for practical, operational uses of hypnosis—e.g., conditioning agents with hidden “compartmentalized” personas for clandestine work. This is an unusually direct articulation of techniques from the user’s side.
Aum Shinrikyo’s Systematized Indoctrination (Japan)
The cult Aum Shinrikyo reportedly combined drugs and hypnosis to control adherents. Journalism and court testimony describe organizationally structured manipulation—clearly planned and executed by the operators within the group.
Summary: Recommended Angles & Sources
| Angle | Source / Case | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Experiments | Jules Liégeois / Nancy School | Hypnosis leading subjects toward criminal acts; operator intent and design. |
| Cold‑War Tradecraft | George H. Estabrooks | Claims of implanting hidden personas for missions; explicit “user‑side” framing. |
| Real‑World Cases | Palle Hardrup; Aum Shinrikyo | Crimes and organized control via hypnosis/indoctrination; operator methods in practice. |
| Docs & Interviews | Murderous Trance / The Guardian Angel (2018) | On‑camera accounts that surface the perspective and rationale of the manipulator. |
Next Steps
- Documentaries & interviews: Seek productions on the Hardrup case (e.g., Murderous Trance / The Guardian Angel) that feature the hypnotizer’s side.
- Primary writings: Track down Liégeois’s publications and Estabrooks’s essays for operator‑side reasoning, goals, and techniques (discussed descriptively, not as how‑to).
- Investigative reporting: Compile court records and long‑form journalism on Aum’s internal procedures to map the organization‑level operator workflow.
Comments
Post a Comment