To Orwell Today,
re: HYPNOTISING STUDENTS TO DEATH

How interesting the comments about Marc Savard.

My daughter participated in this school event and I can assure you as her parent, I appreciated the fact that I was given full authority to make the decision as to whether she attend or not...I am thrilled that she had the opportunity to experience this and was in fact one of the hypnotized students.

I was there to see the show as well. While some may think they have the right to take this decision away from me, I am glad that Marc Savard is sharing his skill with others. Whatever it takes to keep these kids alive...whatever it takes...

I just came home from a funeral today, a friend of the families son was killed while out with friends...alcohol was a factor...he was only 18 and was a passenger...his school was denied the opportunity to see the show and maybe, this would've influenced his decision to get into a car that was being driven by a driver under the influence...maybe not, but again...whatever it takes to keep these kids alive...car crashes are the number one killer of youth...if someone has a better solution...by all means bring it forward, but I know the kids in my daughters grade 12 class still talk about the show from two years ago...and I can assure you, it left a lasting impression.

-Donald Butler

Greetings Donald,

Many parents give consent to things before they know the facts - as long as it's presented to them as "being good for their children". For example, many parents follow the school's advice to put their children on pharmaceutical drugs like Ritalin without having a clue what the drug contains or its implications and side-effects.

I hope you appreciate finding my website and reading another perspective on hypnotising students en masse for purposes other than entertainment, which is bad enough. Consent is only consent when it is "informed" consent. Otherwise it's just rubber-stamping.

All the best,
Jackie Jura

To Orwell Today,

You are assuming I didn't do my research...I talked with four students that had been hypnotized the previous year, I talked with a psychotherapist who researched the effects of hypnosis and felt it was a safe experience after he saw the show at another school and I also looked at the track record of Mr. Savard's presentations and with over 2500 shows in schools under his belt with no record of any student having an adverse reaction, I felt this was a decision which I consider to have researched significantly.

I agree that many parents do not do their homework, but I can assure you that I am not one of those parents and challenge everything.

Have you seen his show...? I know that I talked with 16 police officers (one of which was hypnotized) and parents, teachers and students that saw the show and feel it is a great way to get the teenagers attention...Do you have a teenager...? I only hope that whatever sticks in their minds prevents another death on our roads...thanks.

-Donald Butler

Greetings Donald,

I didn't assume you hadn't done your research. I just commented that I hoped you appreciated reading the information about hypnotism compiled on my website. Perhaps if you had read it earlier it would have affected your decision. Perhaps not.

My youngest child graduated from high school five years or so ago and for the "dry grad" party there was a hypnotist performing. I was a parent helper that evening and I watched the show. There was no parental consent form handed out but I had previously told my child not to participate. Against my wishes he went up on stage when invited but was rejected on the first round. I was thankful for that. The twelve or so students who were kept on stage and subsequently hypnotized were not given any traumatic scenarios - just the usual "pretend you're a quacking duck" kind of stuff.

All the best,
Jackie Jura