Mesmerized: The Lasting Legacy of an 18th-Century Health Fad

You probably know what it feels like to be mesmerized. What you might not know is that the word comes from a wild, 18th-Century health fad that swept Europe, featuring a cast of history's most famous characters. But this story is more than a fascinating historical anecdote. It's a timeless reminder of just how easily our minds can be tricked.

We carry access to all of humanity’s knowledge—and nonsense—in our pockets, making today's real challenge separating fact from noise. After spending decades in the college biology classroom, Melanie Trecek-King created Thinking Is Power—a twist on "knowledge is power"—to provide accessible tools that empower individuals to spot deceptive tactics and build the self-awareness needed to recognize their own vulnerabilities.

Today, Trecek-King works with diverse audiences—including educators, business professionals, and cybersecurity experts—to help people think more clearly, avoid misinformation, and have more productive conversations. She creates and leads workshops that equip youth with media literacy skills, counter extremist narratives, and prevent online radicalization. She also designs engaging activities for educators to help students learn how misinformation works… by creating their own fun examples.

Trecek-King teaches at Massasoit Community College, is a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer, and a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

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