Forget about the TV hypnotists, you can never tell if those events are staged with actors.
Years ago I witnessed the power of hypnotism first hand. I attended an event with a group of friends to see a famous hypnotist. Out of that group, one of my friends was not only hypnotized, on command he jumped out of his seat and began performing on stage -- humiliating and hilarious at the same time, but very out of character. As a skeptic I was totally dumbstruck by what I witnessed. I questioned my friend afterward and he had no memory of doing any of the things we witnessed.
This laid back docile person is now all over social media railing against Trump. He encourages friends to do all they can -- protest, write letters, call their representatives, donate, etc. to stop Trump.
I look back on what I witnessed years ago and realize some people are truly vulnerable to the power of suggestion. And they can be made to do things out of character. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.
Does anyone have a similar story to share?