Reviewing Books since 2009
Hypnotic ControlAuthor: John-Ivan PalmerGenre: Non Fiction - Memoir Publisher: Whistling Shade Date Published: May 11, 2025 ISBN-10: 0982933517 ISBN-13: 9780982933510 GoodReads Rating:
4.00 |
Author John-Ivan Palmer captivates readers with his nonfiction work, Hypnotic Control: Reflections on the Nature of Staged Influence. Opening with a fascinating exploration of hypnotism's definition and its origins in the 1700s, Palmer delves into this often-misunderstood psychological phenomenon through the lens of his own experiences as a stage hypnotist. In his journey to make a living in this unique profession, he mastered the art of selecting participants, focusing their attention, and narrowing their awareness. With these techniques, he guided individuals to respond to playful suggestions—whether it was meowing like a cat or squirming as if their pants were full of ants. Through vivid storytelling and personal insight, Palmer sheds light on the intriguing world of hypnotic influence. Stage hypnotism, with its ability to override rational thought, challenged audiences' perceptions of sanity and disrupted the illusion of stable mental health. Through his exploration of consciousness, Palmer discovered that hypnosis was far more profound than mere social entertainment. His captivating book explores the concept of Trance, enriched with firsthand accounts from his life's work. The sections about his personal journey read like a poignant memoir, detailing his discoveries on how voice inflection shapes his subjects, and the profound effects of personal presence and eye contact on their responses. Palmer boldly relates social hypnotism to today’s culture through social media influencers. He succinctly explains that individuals in Isolation with internet access are susceptible to brainwashing. He discusses mass murders, school shootings, cults, acts of terrorism and other bizarre actions. The persona of the hypnotic controller appeals to the subject’s emotional state. Eye contact ( or visual stimulation) is made through TV, computer screens, news sources, movies and YouTube. Voice messages to the susceptible mind are broadcast as well. Music is another serious influence. Mind control can cause mass hysteria. “Hypnotic Control” begins as an engaging nonfiction read but quickly captivates readers, leaving them eager to delve deeper. It prompts critical thinking about the influence of media, exploring themes of indoctrination, propaganda, and news manipulation with thought-provoking insight. Palmer meticulously records his research, incorporates references, and shares personal anecdotes. A comprehensive bibliography and a list of websites are also provided. Palmer states, “The end of the world will be a hypnotic event.” What do you think? Readers will be shocked by the message of this book when analyzing today’s society. Can you as readers resist hypnotic control? Reviewed by: Carole W |
When asked where I’m from, the only answer is “everywhere and nowhere.†My life began in the backseat of a car as the only child of a traveling floorshow magician. Schooling was mostly in a dressing room or hotel lobby, but sometimes I could sneak into a classroom before being discovered as a trespasser. An alien outsider with no qualifications in the conventional job market, I began a career as a stage hypnotist and adapted to an international existence performing in night clubs, fairs, colleges, and corporate events. Parallel to my stage career, my written work has appeared in literary journals in the US and several foreign countries. My wife and I divide our time between Minneapolis and her home town of Choshi, Japan. We grow rare plants and raise large moths.
