Mentifex <mentifex at my-deja.com> writes:
> Can an animated Web site induce a hypnotic trance?
Sure, but it would take a lot of cooperation from the subject. As
far as I know, hypnosis, with or without the web, requires the
subject to concentrate singlemindedly on a monotonously rhythmic
stimulus. An animated web site could certainly provide an
appropriate stimulus, but it's hard to see how it could force
the subject to concentrate singlemindedly. It could perhaps
be done with a bit of "social engineering"; for example, one
could write some text above the animation saying, "There
is a secret message in the animation below that you can see
if you stare at it long enough. If you can solve the puzzle
and tell us what the message is, we will send you a prize of
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!"
(Footnote: for those who think it's a stupid question, take a
look at the website http://www.illusionworks.com. It's pretty
amazing the effects a simple visual stimulus can have on the
mind.)
-- Bill
