h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hmmm ... I basically just want to raise awareness about mind control ... anyways, with propaganda, I've had the idea that the more people knew of the methods of propaganda, the less susceptible they will be to it. Then there are things like torture ... I can tell people things about torture, maybe even give 'how to' instructions ... suppose I wrote this in a book ... will it do damage? A large proportion of people will read the book and not try to follow the instructions ... they will, however, have a much better understanding of torture and how people are 'broken' under torture... how easily it can be done, and how extremely vulnerable human beings are to this sort of violation. The readers may start being more interested in campaigns for *stopping* torture, in their own countries, and globally. Whereas a very small minority of people reading the book may decide to try out the methods ... but I feel that a book that represents torture realistically will do much more to increase people's horror, revulsion and outrage against torture ...

I've got nothing against you idea for a book, Willem. I'm also of the opinion that you've already got access to enough general information on mind control to write a convincing piece of fiction that includes believable scenes describing it.