TVM`s Xarabank of April 5, showing us people being hypnotised, has shown how ridiculous people can become in the hands of a hypnotist. What people would never dream of doing in their normal waking hours, they have done under the influence of a hypnotist in full view of thousands of people. Letting oneself be so manipulated is demeaning to human dignity.

It can also be dangerous because the hypnotist can suggest his/her ideas and intentions subliminally and the hypnotised person could pick these up and carry them out in his/her normal state.

Many would argue that hypnosis is beneficial, wholly so in fact, because by means of it people have been freed from compulsions such as smoking. Time will tell whether something else entered their deeper soul.

I really wish we could know who Alan Bates really is, his ideas, beliefs, convictions.