Physical Control of the Mind: Toward a Psychocivilized Society

By José M.R. Delgado and José Manuel Rodríguez Delgado

Book Overview

Physical control of the mind by direct manipulation of the brain is a novel event in human history. In this volume, Dr. Jose M. R. Delgado describes his pioneering work in implanting electrodes in the brains of cats, monkeys, and men. Through electrical stimulation of specific cerebral structures, Delgado demonstrates how movements can be induced by radio command, hostility may appear or disappear, social hierarchy can be modified, sexual behavior may be changed, and memory, emotions, and the thinking process may be influenced by remote control. The mind is no longer unreachable, and may be the subject of experimental investigations. According to Delgado, we need to reorient the aims of civilization to restore a balance between its physical and psychological evolution. Our present mechanized society is dangerously self-perpetuating, and should be "psychocivilized" in order to develop wiser minds, to intelligently control our awesome technological advances. Dr. Delgado believes mankind's primary objective should be "not the development of machines, but of man himself." He writes lucidly about his work, putting it into the context of what is known about the mind and the brain, and exploring long-range ethical and social implications of his discoveries. Despite the ongoing controversy over his work, the result is an exceedingly important and provocative book. Jose M. R. Delgado was born in Ronda, Spain, and received his medical training at Madrid University, where he was Associate Professor of Physiology until 1950, when he came to Yale University to work with Dr. John Fulton. He became Professor of Physiology at Yale, where he developed techniques for electrical and chemical stimulation of the brain. He published more than 200 scientific papers, and became perhaps the most notorious "mind control" researcher in the history of neuro-behavioral research.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1530689732
• ISBN13: 9781530689736
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 3.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.7" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book

Dr. Delgado was one of the pioneers of deep brain stimulation research, a technology that is used today to reduce suffering in cases of chronic pain, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. It never was and is not today capable of turning people into the mind-controlled automatons found in sci-fi thrillers such as the Manchurian Candidate or the X-files. The book offers a lucid and concise description of Dr. Delgado's work up to 1969 and a provocative look at possible applications of this technology (from a 1960's perspective). A recommended read for any Neuroscience or Neural Engineering student.

High Praise for Delgado

Dr. Delgado should be commended for making his research public. Jose Delgado has several other books, including "emotions" and "Behavioral Neurochemistry". I found "emotions" to be excellent. If you are looking into research in the interest of microchip integration into humans and animals, psychiatry through the means of direct manipulation of the brain or, possibly, the merging of remote electrical devices into biotechnology, then meet the founding father. Delgado is brilliant. If you are interested in mind control, this is the place to begin. Surfing the internet on this subject will bring up useless, paranoid garbage and books by other authors emphasize conspiracies that draw people into paranoid delusions. This is a summary of research through direct manipulation of the brain using electrodes, remote stimulation and biomedical telemetry. I cannot emphasize the value of this book, it is a MUST HAVE!!!