[Basic] Skill of the week: Brainwashing (and Brain Hacking)

[johndallman]

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?