Those interested in the alien abduction phenomenon will recognize the name of Dr. John Mack, the late professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Needless to say, he was and still is a controversial figure.
Robbie Graham of Silver Screen Saucers posted today about efforts to bring Mack’s work to the big screen. Interested parties can donate toward funding the project.
I always found it interesting that Mack was also a T.E. Lawrence scholar as well.There is perhaps a psychological connection between his focus on Lawrence and on alien abduction. Lawrence believed a great destiny was put on him to change the Arab world, believing that nobody else could do it. He also prided himself on being able to endure strenuous hardships without ever stopping or giving up. Mack himself in an interview discussed Lawrence’s sense of self-importance, and his buying into the hero mode of enduring great things without complaining. These behaviors, in my opinion, parallel those of some alien abductees. They have a destiny placed upon them by the aliens to save the world from catastrophe. The abductees also endure hardships (the violation of abduction and its medical torture), but they don’t complain because it is all part of a bigger plan. I know not all abductees feel this way, but I’ve heard of many that do. I’ve wondered if Mack was predisposed to seeing this sort of psychology in abductees. Just a thought.
very interesting; didn’t know that.
A film about John Mack should also examine Stockholm Syndrome. This syndrome being the coping strategy of choice by Mack and many of his patients. Critics of Mack’s conclusions about CE4 are like the sheriff who reject the missing persons report in favor of a runaway theory. A film should chronicle both sides of the CE4 debate. Then the film should examine theories presented by John Biggerstaff and Danielle Silverman.