
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 16, 1990                   TAG: 9005160558
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SUBLIMINAL TAPES NEED NOT BE MISUSED

THE WRITER of your recent Washington Post article on subliminal tapes obviously did not have time to research both sides of his topic, or he did not want to be confused by the facts.

One fact is that the brain contains 3 billion cells, and more connecting circuits than all telephone wires in North America. The head was intended to be used for more than a hatrack.

Another fact is that subliminal suggestion has been recognized as far back as the 1800s, when the "whisper technique" was used to speed healing of sick patients.

It is a fact that subliminals have been used to influence us to buy popcorn (the movies), Coca-Cola and even Ritz crackers. They have discouraged shoplifting and encouraged buying, and statistics show that they work. It should come as no surprise that they have been for the most part misused. Surely the reporter knows that opportunists abound where money can be made. This in no way invalidates the concept of subliminals.

Fortunately, there are principled persons with know-how and technology to help us help ourselves. According to Power Play, a Roanoke subliminal distributor, two such men are Eldon Taylor and Jonathan Parker.

Neal Armstrong called the human mind the "last great frontier." It would be much more productive to learn about it, make it our friend and use it, than to lunge at windmills. BETTY CARTER VINTON

by CNB