Requesting Parents' Assessment of Hyde School

[Anonymous]

This just highlights how some kids can come out of there traumatized for life and others can say, "hey, what are you talking about?"  The application of their "philosophy" was inconsistent and had as much to do with the personality of the kid as the personality of the perp and the particular circunstances at that particular point in time.  Can you imagine what a parent would be charged with if they tried to raise their kids like that?

  Yes, inconsistance.  Why one reaction for one kid and a different reaction for another?  

  How much of method was designed by Hyde School?  Did Joe Gauld read about these cult techniques or did Hyde just stumble on them?

 So the question that has been raised here on the question of standards of diplomas, here is a little story. I was standing at function with Paul Hurd and and another alum from back in the early seventies. This guy turns to me and says "you know the difference between you and some of the kids that got diplomas?  Money:  how much did your parents give?"  I was waiting for Paul to challenge that assurtion but he just smiled and laughted. Maybe Paul is disgruntled too.  I would be if my father in law fired me and replaced me with my wife.  It must have been like getting your balls crushed in a vise.

[gary eskow]

Gary, I will have to think about my story appearing in print. For those who knew me there are to many hints to my identity. I would'nt want the life I have now jeopardized for any reason

Of course, I understand.  You have to balance your desire for privacy against the value that others in a vulnerable position might gain from learning from your experience. Let me know if you decide you'd like to be interviewed.

Confidentiality will be respected at all times.

gary
scribeny@aol.com

[Anonymous]

Interesting.  Here is what I currently think about "how well you did there" (aka "how much you developed your unique potential").  Capricious influences, luck, and other acts of God aside, your outcome was generally favorably influenced by one or more of the following:

•  whether someone on the faculty or similar position of authority "liked" you
•  whether you had knowledge of some indiscretion or even crime involving a faculty member or someone in a similar position of authority
•  a high degree of parental involvement (e.g., they participated in family weekends with great gusto, they held "Hyde School teas" in their homes to recruit other prospective students, etc.)
•  parental financial contribution to the school
•  great parental wealth or fame regardless of financial contribution to date (potential bad publicity could be harmful?)

[Anonymous]

How much of method was designed by Hyde School? Did Joe Gauld read about these cult techniques or did Hyde just stumble on them?

Joe was well-versed in AA philosophy and terminology.  I think I'm safe if I categorically state that every single person that spent any time at Hyde would be treated sooner or later to some "wisdom" from that "school" of thought.

AA spawned some other beauties.  Check out Synanon, and two of its off-shoots:  The Seed, and CEDU.  Much of their regimens, with some alterations in style, terminology, or degree, are what we experienced at Hyde.  I should rather say, what I experienced at Hyde.

One can go back further than Synanon, or even AA (?), to methods employed by Mao-Tse-Tung and the communists in fighting Chang-Chi-Shek (sp?) and the Japanese in the 1920's/30's.  It was a three-way war, with shifting allegiances between the major parties, and a huge, largely agrarian population to sway with increasingly limited resources to do so.

And I am sure you can go back even further...

[Anonymous]

How much of method was designed by Hyde School? Did Joe Gauld read about these cult techniques or did Hyde just stumble on them?

Joe was well-versed in AA philosophy and terminology.  I think I'm safe if I categorically state that every single person that spent any time at Hyde would be treated sooner or later to some "wisdom" from that "school" of thought.

AA spawned some other beauties.  Check out Synanon, and two of its off-shoots:  The Seed, and CEDU.  Much of their regimens, with some alterations in style, terminology, or degree, are what we experienced at Hyde.  I should rather say, what I experienced at Hyde.

One can go back further than Synanon, or even AA (?), to methods employed by Mao-Tse-Tung and the communists in fighting Chang-Chi-Shek (sp?) and the Japanese in the 1920's/30's.  It was a three-way war, with shifting allegiances between the major parties, and a huge, largely agrarian population to sway with increasingly limited resources to do so.

And I am sure you can go back even further...

  AA has some of the elements but not all the elements of hyde.  Most people are ready to "come to Jesus" when they hit AA.  Hyde has the element of making you believe you need to change.
 I am wondering if at some point Joe Gauld said, " I am going turn my school into a cult" and systematically began to apply the techniques described here in this artical on Coercive Persuasion and Attitude Change:

http://www.rickross.com/reference/brain ... hing8.html

or did he just stumble into it

 It is really amazing to me that Hyde shares so many element with programs like Synanon.  It is supposed to be a school not a mind control center.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of it had to do with Joe's personal issues with Blanche, his wife, who was also an alcoholic.  If I recall correctly, he himself had some issues there as well, albeit not on the scale of what Blanche was dealing with.  I don't remember ever seeing Blanche, despite spending the summer program plus three additional years there.  I have to wonder just how much she was Persona Non Grata at the mansion, and if so, it'd be my guess that that would have been enforced/conveyed by Joe.  Perhaps there were even some passive/aggressive issues between the two of them regarding the wielding of said catechism.

Joe is innately a most persuasive snake-oil saleman cum evangelist, and his audience in the education field and in the arena of desperate parents is just not used to being confronted with such a character, let alone equipped for recognizing him for what he is.  I personally don't believe it was as calculated a development as "I'm going to turn my school into a cult," but rather an outgrowth of Joe's personality ("character", if you will) coupled with some training from AA mixed in with other miscellaneous... I think he was definitely attracted to the concept of behavior modification and has less scruples about the degree to which one might employ "tricks of the trade" as, it's all for the cause and, the ends justify the means.

I could be wrong, of course.  We could find out some sneaky details of an intimate friendship of his with Art Farmer from way back, for instance, and that would not surprise me one bit and would just totally blow the question of "cult", if there is still one, into the realm of assured, de post facto, bonafide, certified, and santified cultorama... amen!

[Anonymous]

ooops!...  I meant SANCTIFIED.

(Why is that the typos are almost the most egregious in the most pertinent places?  I betray the passion of my fingers on the keyboard...)

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of it had to do with Joe's personal issues with Blanche, his wife, who was also an alcoholic.  If I recall correctly, he himself had some issues there as well, albeit not on the scale of what Blanche was dealing with.  I don't remember ever seeing Blanche, despite spending the summer program plus three additional years there.  I have to wonder just how much she was Persona Non Grata at the mansion, and if so, it'd be my guess that that would have been enforced/conveyed by Joe.  Perhaps there were even some passive/aggressive issues between the two of them regarding the wielding of said catechism.

Joe is innately a most persuasive snake-oil saleman cum evangelist, and his audience in the education field and in the arena of desperate parents is just not used to being confronted with such a character, let alone equipped for recognizing him for what he is.  I personally don't believe it was as calculated a development as "I'm going to turn my school into a cult," but rather an outgrowth of Joe's personality ("character", if you will) coupled with some training from AA mixed in with other miscellaneous... I think he was definitely attracted to the concept of behavior modification and has less scruples about the degree to which one might employ "tricks of the trade" as, it's all for the cause and, the ends justify the means.

I could be wrong, of course.  We could find out some sneaky details of an intimate friendship of his with Art Farmer from way back, for instance, and that would not surprise me one bit and would just totally blow the question of "cult", if there is still one, into the realm of assured, de post facto, bonafide, certified, and santified cultorama... amen!

 What does hard bop have to do with Joe. Art Farmer?
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... ddbjolg~T1
I have a lot of hard bop in my CD collection.  I think I have some of the horace silver art farmer stuff.  I have Sam Rivers on now:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... j9kebtjq7v
Hey the new Bill Frisell/Ron Carter/Paul Motian  CD is great.  
See look what you did.  You got me talking about music.
oh disc justed changed:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... lvad1kt8w1
Benson was good at one point before "Breezin"

[Anonymous]

Yikes!!!  I underline my previous comment about typos!!  (And betray some of my musical taste).  Thanks for keeping me on my toes!

I meant to say... ART BARKER!

egads!  I am truly mega-mortified!

Here's a link to start you off:

http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... forum=8&24

[Anonymous]

So the question that has been raised here on the question of standards of diplomas, here is a little story. I was standing at function with Paul Hurd and and another alum from back in the early seventies. This guy turns to me and says "you know the difference between you and some of the kids that got diplomas? Money: how much did your parents give?" I was waiting for Paul to challenge that assurtion but he just smiled and laughted. Maybe Paul is disgruntled too. I would be if my father in law fired me and replaced me with my wife. It must have been like getting your balls crushed in a vise.

Maybe he deserved it (vise job).  What condescending pricks.

[Anonymous]

I would appreciate some sharp analysis. It's one thing to say Hyde School is a cult, AA, Synanon, etc. etc., and another to argue your point. I'm a little too lazy to do everyone's analysis for them. Unsupported opinions fall stillborn from this forum.

[gary eskow]

I would appreciate some sharp analysis. It's one thing to say Hyde School is a cult, AA, Synanon, etc. etc., and another to argue your point. I'm a little too lazy to do everyone's analysis for them. Unsupported opinions fall stillborn from this forum.
 
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One way to do this would be to write a critical article that included interviews with dissatisfied former students and family members as well as material from people who passed through Hyde and feel positive about the experience.

I'd be willing to write such an article, and have posted to that effect on this site.  So far the response has beenn limited.

GE

[Anonymous]

I would appreciate some sharp analysis. It's one thing to say Hyde School is a cult, AA, Synanon, etc. etc., and another to argue your point. I'm a little too lazy to do everyone's analysis for them. Unsupported opinions fall stillborn from this forum.
 
---

One way to do this would be to write a critical article that included interviews with dissatisfied former students and family members as well as material from people who passed through Hyde and feel positive about the experience.

I'd be willing to write such an article, and have posted to that effect on this site.  So far the response has beenn limited.

GE

Gary, I am willing to tell the story of our family at Hyde as long as our names are not mentioned.  I have spoken to you about this and feel confident you will respect my privacy.

How about the rest of you posters stepping up to the plate.  As long as names are not mentioned there shouldnt be a problem.  You are sharing your stories on this website which is public, so there is very little difference putting it in another form of print. One person mentioned a liability issue.  There is no liability issue unless you would make up a bunch of lies.  I have already checked this out with an attorney.

I enjoyed speaking to Gary and you will too. He is a professional and is respectful of my request for anonymity

[gary eskow]

Gary, I am willing to tell the story of our family at Hyde as long as our names are not mentioned. I have spoken to you about this and feel confident you will respect my privacy.

How about the rest of you posters stepping up to the plate. As long as names are not mentioned there shouldnt be a problem. You are sharing your stories on this website which is public, so there is very little difference putting it in another form of print. One person mentioned a liability issue. There is no liability issue unless you would make up a bunch of lies. I have already checked this out with an attorney.

I enjoyed speaking to Gary and you will too. He is a professional and is respectful of my request for anonymity

---

thank you for this... of course I will respect the privacy of any who choose to remain anonymous.  If there are folks tracking this link who are unabashed fans of Hyde... please contact me!!  We need a balanced overview of the school... the article I plan on writing will frankly address the concerns that many who have passed through Hyde have.  But those who look in the rear view mirror and feel that the time they spent there was all, or overwhelmingly, positive, need to be heard from as well.

GE

[Anonymous]

Gary, I am willing to tell the story of our family at Hyde as long as our names are not mentioned. I have spoken to you about this and feel confident you will respect my privacy.

How about the rest of you posters stepping up to the plate. As long as names are not mentioned there shouldnt be a problem. You are sharing your stories on this website which is public, so there is very little difference putting it in another form of print. One person mentioned a liability issue. There is no liability issue unless you would make up a bunch of lies. I have already checked this out with an attorney.

I enjoyed speaking to Gary and you will too. He is a professional and is respectful of my request for anonymity

---

thank you for this... of course I will respect the privacy of any who choose to remain anonymous.  If there are folks tracking this link who are unabashed fans of Hyde... please contact me!!  We need a balanced overview of the school... the article I plan on writing will frankly address the concerns that many who have passed through Hyde have.  But those who look in the rear view mirror and feel that the time they spent there was all, or overwhelmingly, positive, need to be heard from as well.

GE

Gary,

   My writing something would be like reviewing Ford based on a Pinto test drive.  My experiance is 30 years old.  
It was really instructive to read some of the recent posts.  The socialogic post was really interesting.  It confirms some of the patterns I observed there.  Cohersive Persuation may not be bad in and of itself.  If it was used in a controlled manner toward a good end it might not be bad.  It was fasinating that people had studied other communities like hyde and had named the social dynamics. The video link that some one posted was intersesting also.  Hyde is onion like.  

Emil