3 ms·

Was it some kind of brain infection? What causes this?

mseepgood 4y ago
Boredom and lack of fun in an uptight society.
jl6 4y ago
The article gives two possible explanations (LSD-like food poisoning, and “mass psychogenic illness”). There’s a chance it could be an elaborate hoax, or misunderstanding.
HopenHeyHi 4y ago
It was the dreaded Hildegard von Blingin'. Be warned on clicking yonder hyperlinks least ye be similarly afflicted! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRIfsFefatg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRIfsFefatg Varily they did try to summon a hero during those dark days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx-x_1lIXh4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx-x_1lIXh4 But lo, some tried to escape by way of sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9eSnSBP1Po https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9eSnSBP1Po Some say this evil lasted as late as 1576: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6LOWKVq5sQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6LOWKVq5sQ
themodelplumber 4y ago
One of the linked papers talks about involuntary trance and the capacity for such a phenomenon to spread through extant systemic stress or fear. We know humans can be captured or gripped by any number of involuntary phenomena, particularly when it becomes a social effect and in effect reduces individual conscious control in favor of the social locus. So that lens seems fairly valid on its face. This also took place during extraordinarily harsh times even for that particular point in history. There had been massive floods and damage to crops, with food prices soaring, in addition to newly-spreading syphilis. There was probably a fairly strong unconscious sense of loss of control in the first place.
- DANmode 4y ago
  > There had been massive floods Hm. Mycotoxins?
HlessClaudesman 4y ago
Cordyceps.
refurb 4y ago
“The human brain is a hell of a drug.” The idea of mass psychogenic illness is pretty well known and even happens today. You’ll read about some school where a bad smell comes up, some kid faints and then suddenly the class is on their way to the hospital, only to find out there was no exposure.

Boredom and lack of fun in an uptight society.

jl6 4y ago

The article gives two possible explanations (LSD-like food poisoning, and “mass psychogenic illness”). There’s a chance it could be an elaborate hoax, or misunderstanding.

HopenHeyHi 4y ago

It was the dreaded Hildegard von Blingin'. Be warned on clicking yonder hyperlinks least ye be similarly afflicted! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRIfsFefatg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRIfsFefatg Varily they did try to summon a hero during those dark days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx-x_1lIXh4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx-x_1lIXh4 But lo, some tried to escape by way of sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9eSnSBP1Po https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9eSnSBP1Po Some say this evil lasted as late as 1576: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6LOWKVq5sQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6LOWKVq5sQ

themodelplumber 4y ago

One of the linked papers talks about involuntary trance and the capacity for such a phenomenon to spread through extant systemic stress or fear. We know humans can be captured or gripped by any number of involuntary phenomena, particularly when it becomes a social effect and in effect reduces individual conscious control in favor of the social locus. So that lens seems fairly valid on its face. This also took place during extraordinarily harsh times even for that particular point in history. There had been massive floods and damage to crops, with food prices soaring, in addition to newly-spreading syphilis. There was probably a fairly strong unconscious sense of loss of control in the first place.

DANmode 4y ago
> There had been massive floods Hm. Mycotoxins?

HlessClaudesman 4y ago

Cordyceps.

refurb 4y ago

“The human brain is a hell of a drug.” The idea of mass psychogenic illness is pretty well known and even happens today. You’ll read about some school where a bad smell comes up, some kid faints and then suddenly the class is on their way to the hospital, only to find out there was no exposure.