09-21-2014, 08:09 AM | #1 |
Night Watchman
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
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[Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking) are the skill of changing someone's motives and personality via mundane and technological means. Brain Hacking is doing this with computers, via some kind of direct brain-to-computer interface. The skill description doesn't mention virtual reality, but an immersive virtual reality, such as Transhuman Space VR, that you can't get out of, would seem to make Brainwashing much easier: that's definitely one area where Transhuman horror is justified. Changing Times and Transhuman Mysteries have some support for this. Brain Hacking in THS is only possible via a ghost editor program, although the skill also has legitimate uses in creating Ghosts.
Ultra-Tech has equipment for Brainwashing, but doesn't mention Brain Hacking. Madness Dossier, naturally , has a fair bit about both, and a character template where they're primary skills. It also has an unfortunate bit of phrasing that makes it look as if Empathy boosts Brainwashing: I've submitted errata. Social Engineering has extended rules for brainwashing and for healing its effects. Psis has benefits for using Telepathy powers with Brainwashing. Power-Ups 6: Quirks has a reminder that Brainwashing can give people new quirks, and the Residual Personality quirk. Action, Banestorm, Horror, Reign of Steel, Space and Supers are alert to the plot possibilities of Brainwashing. Zombies covers zombies who are brainwashed rather than undead. Brainwashing is generally considered villainous conduct, but I'd be curious to know of any cases where PCs have done it for good reasons. That's imaginable in reducing the effects of traumas, although the cases where I've seen that happen (not in GURPS) have been by making memories less immediate. What else has happened with Brainwashing in your games? |
09-21-2014, 09:30 AM | #2 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
My character in Transhuman Space used Brain Hacking mostly for extraction of information from a ghosted omnihomicidal enemy astropus. Not really any edits, just info-extraction. Also to examine the Shadows of other PCs after exposure to some nasty memetic and other psychological warfare phenomena.
In the campaign I'm GMing, the party was seriously considering the option of using their defaults in Brain Hacking and Brainwashing to 'reeducate' a human-sacrificing cult leader instead of killing him (the most likely outcome would've been amnesia and other serious neurological trauma[s]). They eventually didn't go with this plan. (They also all but outright needed a field wetware kit - analogous to but weaker than the one from Madness Dossier - but the only one with the possibility of attaining one refused from the very beginning.) Brainwashing shows up in the background of the campaign here and there, but isn't taken or rolled by or against any PCs so far except in the backstory. |
09-21-2014, 09:56 AM | #3 | ||
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Quote:
I'm wondering if the text of Brainwashing there is meant to be setting specific. Quote:
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09-21-2014, 10:26 AM | #4 | ||
Night Watchman
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Quote:
Quote:
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09-21-2014, 02:49 PM | #5 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
It's manipulation of the brain/mind. It's only "evil" if done without consent or medical necessity just like nearly every other form of coercion.
__________________
Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
09-21-2014, 03:10 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Brain Hacking is handy for Alpha Centauri Probe Teams
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09-21-2014, 04:36 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota, USA
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Now... how do you prove consent or medical necessity?
__________________
My GURPS Fourth Edition library consists of Basic Set: Characters, Basic Set: Campaigns, Martial Arts, Powers, Powers: Enhanced Senses, Power-Ups 1: Imbuements, Power-Ups 2: Perks, Power-Ups 3: Talents, Power-Ups 4: Enhancements, Power-Ups 6: Quirks, Power-Ups 8: Limitations, Powers, Social Engineering, Supers, Template Toolkit 1: Characters, Template Toolkit 2: Races, one issue of Pyramid (3/83) a.k.a. Alternate GURPS IV, GURPS Classic Rogues, and GURPS Classic Warriors. Most of which was provided through the generosity of others. Thanks! :) |
09-21-2014, 06:07 PM | #8 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Same way it's done in the real world I assume.
__________________
Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
09-21-2014, 08:31 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota, USA
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Bit different when you're doing a procedure that can literally change the patient's mind I think.
__________________
My GURPS Fourth Edition library consists of Basic Set: Characters, Basic Set: Campaigns, Martial Arts, Powers, Powers: Enhanced Senses, Power-Ups 1: Imbuements, Power-Ups 2: Perks, Power-Ups 3: Talents, Power-Ups 4: Enhancements, Power-Ups 6: Quirks, Power-Ups 8: Limitations, Powers, Social Engineering, Supers, Template Toolkit 1: Characters, Template Toolkit 2: Races, one issue of Pyramid (3/83) a.k.a. Alternate GURPS IV, GURPS Classic Rogues, and GURPS Classic Warriors. Most of which was provided through the generosity of others. Thanks! :) |
09-21-2014, 09:20 PM | #10 | |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)
Quote:
Normal everyday social manipulation alters our beliefs and perceptions. None of us are immune to such minor forms of brainwashing.
__________________
Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
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basic, brain hacking, brainwashing, skill, skill of the week |
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