Reality is Plastic by Anthony Jacquin

Title: Reality is Plastic
Author: Anthony Jacquin
Format: book and video
Source: www.vegasstagehypnosis.com (video no longer available)
Price: $69 ($39.95 for book only)
Rating: Good

Reality is Plastic is a book with a companion video (sold separately). Taken together, the two present a great introduction to "impromptu hypnosis"—Jacquin's more accurate term for what is often called "street hypnosis" or "speed trance."

The video is a particularly engaging piece of instruction. Apparently recognizing that high production values were out of his reach, Jacquin has made the video artfully low-budget: oddly lit, black and white, with static-filled transitions, as though it were created in a post-apocalyptic underground bunker. As he leans a little too close to the camera, I almost expect Jacquin to say, "I am John Connor, and if you are watching this, you are the resistance."

Instead, he opens the video with something equally as striking, showing his natural performer's flair for the dramatic:

"I am Anthony Jacquin, and I am The Hypnotist." He then leans forward almost menacingly, getting right up to that camera. "And that's the first thing you've got to learn."

Indeed, the most important lesson in the book is about taking on the persona of The Hypnotist. (Jacquin capitalizes the term every time for emphasis.) It's clear watching him that The Hypnotist is a persona he takes on, and takes on perfectly. In fact, he's so wry and unsmiling that his occasional humor is powerfully hilarious.

Unlike some authoritarian hypnotists who have bought into their own hype, Jacquin seems to simply recognize the benefits of using public expectation about hypnosis by stepping into the role of The Hypnotist. But like any good actor, he makes the role his, adapting it to suit his purposes.

In fact, it could be argued that by utilizing the popular conception of hypnosis, Jacquin's authoritarian moments are Ericksonian in origin. I try not to think about that too much; it makes me dizzy.

All paradoxes aside, it is a joy to see a book about hypnosis that cites Elman and McGill as readily as it cites Erickson and Rossi, and I have to say that Jacquin's style easily synthesizes the two different approaches to hypnosis. His interactions shift from permissive to authoritarian so subtly that there's no clear dividing line.

The book contains quite a bit of explanation that's not present in the videos, but even so it is relatively light on theory. This is nuts-and-bolts, working-class hypnotism. Jacquin's chapter on definitions of hypnosis touches on history while not getting bogged down repeating the same information we've seen in many other texts. Ultimately, the point of that chapter is that effectiveness is more important than theory. Though I would have liked a bit more explication of principles—for instance, Jacquin never points out the fractionation inherent to the structure of his interactions—I have to agree with his overall point: Theories come and go, so results matter more.

The real meat of both the book and the video consists of several "set pieces," a small number of inductions, and a few applications for entertainment and therapy. The "set pieces" are what others would call suggestibility tests, convincers, waking hypnosis, or even "hypno-tricks." While they are time-honored methods, Jacquin's brilliant execution of them is well worth studying.

The several inductions Jacquin presents were mostly new to me, which is refreshing. There are only a few, but Jacquin urges his readers to learn a small number of inductions and learn them well. His purpose is to warn new hypnotists not to waste their lives in a quest for what I call "The One True Induction"—the mythical induction that outstrips all others and works perfectly in every situation. While I agree that mistake is best avoided, I'm personally a bit of an induction collector; I believe that the more inductions you explore, the better your understanding of the principles behind them.

Then again, Jacquin does a great job of summing up an important principle that underlies all inductions: "An induction technique is a vehicle for your confidence, your persona, your intent to hypnotize."

To conclude, while I could argue here and there about minor theoretical points, there's no argument at all with Jacquin's clear and utilitarian presentation of the material. His prose is fluent and easy to grasp, even if a proofreader might have helped in a few spots. Though the language is very British at times, I had no problem sorting it out as an American reader.

I could complain that the video lacks footage of some of the more spectacular stunts described in the book, but I suspect there is a copyright issue at the heart of that.

Most surprising to me is that Jacquin changed my view of authoritarian techniques. Even his use of the term "subject" doesn't bother me the way it usually does. When Jacquin says it, he sounds not like he's a scientist referring to a lab rat, but more like a feudal lord referring to someone under his benevolent influence. He made me realize that taking charge is not all bad—so long as you don't believe your own advertising.

All in all, a very good product.

Post Script: After reading this review, Jacquin sent me a PDF entitled Reality is Plastic: Reloaded. It's fifty pages of additional material, new tips, clarifications, and trouble-shooting. And it's free to owners of Reality is Plastic, making the book an even better investment.