Mindwipe

For the Transformers character, see Mindwipe (Transformers).

Mindwipe is a technique used in some science fiction scenarios, where the subject's memories and personality are erased and replaced by new memories and personality more useful to those who are carrying out the mindwiping, or to their area's authorities. It is a more thorough form of real-world brainwashing. It is sometimes used as an alternative to capital punishment, or to make the subject more useful to the system. The mind-wiping can be performed by a hypnotic or magical ability, or by an electronic device. One well-known example is Borg assimilation in Star Trek.

Mind-wiping is mentioned in:

• Identity Crisis.^[1][2]
• Blake's 7: Blake had been mind-wiped before the story starts, but his memory returned on seeing events at the start of the story.
• The TV series Dollhouse.
• The 2003 film Paycheck and the short story for its basis.
• Tolkien's fiction, when Niënor Níniel meets the dragon Glaurung.^[3]
• Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series.
• Is used by Psi-Corps in Babylon 5 against criminals and also to create sleeper agents.
• Selective induction of amnesia is common in the Gerry Anderson UFO TV series.^[4]
• The Doctor Who story Dalek, when the technique is used on those who oppose Henry Van Statten, and finally on Van Statten himself.
• Men in Black
• Alfred Bester's 1953 novel The Demolished Man; the technique is labeled "Demolition" there.
• And often elsewhere.

References

1. ↑ http://stlcomics.com/columns/cac/II/
2. ↑ http://superherouniverse.com/wiki/Identity_Crisis/
3. ↑ This case's effects are described in The Children of Húrin.
4. ↑ http://www.denofgeek.com/television/7879/underappreciated_tv_ufo.html

Look up mindwipe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.