Defending Street Hypnosis

Jon Chase and I have become good friends over the past couple of years but we have often disagreed about Street Hypnosis.

This is my response to this blog post from Jon.

What’s this? “Jon Chase Protector of Somnambulists?” LOL

Wow. That’s a scary picture of the world you’ve painted there Jon.

Some kind of post-apocalyptic vision, with gangs of marauding Hypnotists preying on poor, unsuspecting passers-by. And look out! These renegades don’t have a reputation or paycheck to protect!

Fortunately, out here in the real world, there are very few people with either the balls or the skill to do what you’re describing, which sounds more like Ambush Hypnosis than Street Hypnosis to me. Most Street Hypnotists out there are open about what they’re doing. They ask for consent and are often accompanied by a friend holding a camera.
Even then, there aren’t that many of THEM either!

Anyway, in my experience, those who seek to use Hypnosis for ill-gotten gains tend to be crap at it. Why is that? Maybe it’s because the intent is subconsciously communicated to the person being or about to be Hypnotized (Yes. Even the somnambulist) and so most of us already have a natural, inbuilt defense mechanism. One could describe it as an instinct, intuition or sixth sense.

I think that’s why when I do a “family” Stage Hypnosis show, I get, keep or ditch a completely different bunch of volunteers to when I do a more adult themed show.

Sure, aside from Hypnotists, there are clever con-artists, hustlers and grifters out there and there are lots of THEM around.
Some of them even use misdirection, shock, confusion and unconscious pattern interrupt in their attempts to rip you off. But to call them Hypnotists or their techniques Hypnotic is just plain wrong.

It’s like calling a mugger a masseur.

Reg Blackwood
The Street Hypnotist