Mass Hysteria

People in groups often experience strange effects of the group. In the 60's there was much research into the mass mind, zener cards and such. That mostly fizzled, 50/50 success means little to science.

And then you get THIS.

Quotes:

"He said when paramedics had arrived at the school they had found several "patients" hyperventilating while others were having "seizures".

"At least 10 of the pupils were in serious condition and various medical tests were conducted.

"Police were also called to the scene and conducted drug tests on 10 of the pupils.

"Nothing medically wrong could be found with any of the pupils and all the narcotics tests were negative. Scientifically, we don't know what is wrong with these children," he said, adding that the cause of the hysteria was unknown."

So scientifically inexplicable.

More quotes:

"Within moments of the unexplained attack - the fifth to occur since February - about 25 pupils in various classes and grades were affected and started screaming hysterically, fainting and convulsed as they succumbed to the strange occurrence.

The attacks came two weeks after a pupil at the school committed suicide. It is said the hysteria affected schools in Sunnyside and Laudium last week."

Fifth since February? THAT's news, why have i only read of 1?

"The attacks came two weeks after a pupil at the school committed suicide. It is said the hysteria affected schools in Sunnyside and Laudium last week.

Many reported seeing visions.

At least one of the visions was believed to be that of the boy who committed suicide.

Confirming it was the fifth "attack" since February, principal Gerhard Olivier said: "We are at our wits' end. We do not know what is happening or why this is happening."

He said the hysteria had gripped the entire school.

He declined to comment on the suicide, but said Satanism items had been discovered around the school recently and they were believed to be some of the causes."

Everything else aside, this story alone shatters the conventional scientific world view. This cannot be made up by all these kids, all "planning" to pretend to faint at the same time. Aside from the fear they must feel, there is a definite unexplained element here.

The report hinted that a "group experienced in these things" was being brought in, echos of twilight zone.