John E. Mack, M.D., was a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Harvard Medical School professor, psychiatrist and contributed to the understanding of the Iraq region, terrorism and unconventional UFO-related phenomena.
Mack died Monday, Sept. 27, 2004, in London after being struck by a motorist.
His contributions to a wide range of discussions and topics are worth revisiting. His background includes experience and expertise in psychiatry, human behavior, social dynamics, terrorism, unconventional phenomena and Iraq and the surrounding region's history.
For those interested in these topics, one good place to start is the John E. Mack Institute Web site at (http://johnemackinstitute.org/). The Web site is rich in resources about topics that Mack was involved in. The Web in general is rich with information about his research.
REPORTS OF UFO ABDUCTIONS
Mack was widely known for his study of persons who claimed to have been abducted by "aliens" and UFOs.
Although he came to no firm conclusions about these claims, he did assert that these people did not seem to suffer from clinical mental disorders that would cause them to imagine or lie about these kinds of reports.
He seemed to suspect that there was some kind of truth to these people's experiences.
As a respected Harvard psychiatry professor when he became interested in UFO abduction reports, he was subjected to disrespect by some professional peers. The topic of the existence of UFOs, let alone abduction of humans by "visitors," has scared away many researchers who feared they would be ridiculed.
Mack conducted clinical psychiatric interviews with many persons who claimed to have been abducted and taken aboard apparent spacecraft. He found that most of these people were normal and did not suffer from hallucinations, delusions or other psychiatric problems of this kind.
His books on the topic of so-called alien abduction reports are widely read and widely available, including "Passport to the Cosmos: Human Transformation and Alien Encounters" and "Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens."
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA AND THE IRAQ WAR
When he was killed, Mack was in London attending and speaking at a conference about T.E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia." Lawrence was the topic of the book that won Mack the Pulitzer Prize for biography in 1977, "A Prince of Our Disorder: The Life of T.E. Lawrence."
As a student of Lawrence, Mack was familiar with Iraq and the era of British colonialism in that region of the world. Lessons Mack learned from his studies of Lawrence, that era and region may be valuable for us today.
Mack also closely followed the Iraq war and wrote about it. When the Iraq war started, he wrote several essays on the subject, some published in newspapers. Mack had grave misgivings about the U.S. invasion of Iraq. And, from his research and knowledge of the days of British colonialism in that region, he had good reasons to be concerned.
An observer of human societies, including American society, Mack wondered aloud about the reasons for the Iraq war and about the outcomes.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TERRORISM
After the 9/11 attacks, Mack contributed to the four-volume study "The Psychology of Terrorism," applying his knowledge and experience in psychiatry and human behavior.
Those interested in terrorism, intelligence and psychological operations (PSYOP) might find this collection a very valuable piece of open source intelligence (OSINT) in our fight against global terrorism. Efforts at global public diplomacy might also benefit from the views and information contained in The Psychology of Terrorism.
Also contributing to this published work were many respected scholars, academics and clinicians from around the world. They joined together to contribute to this collection edited by Chris E. Stout. Stout was previously an advisor to the White House and representative to the United Nations.
The Psychology of Terrorism provides information, intelligence, knowledge and understanding for those working to develop effective ways to respond to terrorism.
The contributors, including Mack, explored a wide range of terror-related elements and factors including historic contexts, group dynamics, social, psychological, behavioral, forensic, psychopathological and evolutionary issues. Global viewpoints on bias, prejudice, racism and hate are also presented.
Additional topics covered: Comparing terrorists and cultists, beliefs about bioterrorism, state terrorism, countering international terrorism using perspectives from international psychology and on the role of resilience in terror's aftermath.
Among the contributors are current and past officers of the American Psychological Association, World Psychiatric Association, World Federation for Mental Health, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and the Middle East Psychological Network.
Authors include scholars from Harvard University, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Disaster Mental Health Institute, as well as National University of Colombia, Comprehensive Medical Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the Maagalim Institute of Psychotherapy and Counseling in Tel-Aviv.
DR. MACK'S PASSING
Mack might want his passing to trigger new efforts at understanding the human mind and human condition.
That the Iraq war is continuing, with the many difficulties and casualties involved, would probably trouble him. But he might not be surprised about these outcomes. His writings and warnings early on in the Iraq war told us of the problems involved.
That terrorism continues to be a threat probably would not surprise him either. From his involvement in the international collaboration in The Psychology of Terrorism, he knew it was an extremely complex situation that would not be easily or quickly resolved.
And of UFO and abduction reports, he might wonder what this strange phenomena means. He might be curious about when and how more light will be shed on this mystery.
From his current desk, somewhere beyond our normal view, he might even be in a position himself to help bring more light to all these important issues facing the world today.
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