The Mind Parasites by Colin Wilson
"The Mind Parasites" is a speculative fiction narrative that follows archaeologist Gilbert Austin as he uncovers the existence of alien entities that feed on humanity's creative energy. Set against the backdrop of archaeological exploration in Turkey, the story begins with Austin reflecting on the recent suicide of his friend, psychologist Karel Weissman. As he investigates ancient Hittite artifacts with fellow scientist Wolfgang Reich, Austin experiences a sensation of an alien presence within his mind. This leads him to Weissman’s research on "mind parasites," unseen beings that manipulate human thought and emotion, which ultimately drives Austin and Reich to develop psychokinetic abilities to combat these threats.
As they recruit others into their cause, the mind parasites incite chaos, resulting in tragic consequences for their followers. In response, Austin and Reich launch a counterattack, seeking to expose the parasites on a global scale. Their journey leads them to outer space, where they uncover deeper truths about the parasites and the potential for human advancement. The narrative culminates with the mysterious disappearance of Austin, Reich, and their crew during a mission to Pluto, leaving behind an intact ship and raising questions about their fate. This story explores themes of human potential, the battle against unseen forces, and the quest for enlightenment in a world filled with manipulation.
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Subject Terms
The Mind Parasites
First published: 1967
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—inner space
Time of work: 1994-2007
Locale: London, England; Turkey; New York State; Washington, D.C.; and space
The Plot
The story is told in the form of a retrospective account prepared by archaeologist Gilbert Austin shortly before his disappearance. In 1994, Austin learns that his old friend, psychologist Karel Weissman, has died, apparently by suicide. Now the executor of his friend’s scientific papers, Austin is distracted by developments in his archaeological work—a distraction to which, he realizes later, he owes his life. He travels to Turkey to discuss the dating of Hittite figurines he discovered; another scientist, Wolfgang Reich, thinks the figurines are thousands of years older. He and Reich become friends, and together they pursue Reich’s methods of electronic dating at the site of Karatepe. One night, alone in the ruins, Austin succumbs to feelings of loneliness, insignificance, and the contingency of the human grasp of reality, but he rallies when he realizes that the human mind has infinite potential. As he then concentrates on inner space, he momentarily senses the movement of something alien within his mind.
At this point, Reich’s electronic detector finds titanic blocks of an ancient wall two miles beneath the surface. A probe detects an inscription on one block naming Abhoth the Dark, one of the “great old ones” in H. P. Lovecraft’s horror fiction. Worldwide publicity of the find inspires international support to dig a tunnel to the blocks. Long before it is completed, however, Austin realizes that all of this is simply a red herring. He finally reads Weissman’s papers and learns about his friend’s discovery of the mind parasites, alien beings who feed on humanity, drain creative energy, and keep people ignorant of the parasites’ existence. This is what Austin glimpsed within himself in Karatepe.
Austin confides in Reich. Together they employ various means, especially the techniques of phenomenology, to focus and develop their mental energies, which they realize can defeat the parasites. In time they begin to develop psychokinetic abilities, or the ability to use mental powers to affect physical objects directly. They also initiate others into their discoveries and train them. They learn how to focus their minds collectively in phase, magnifying their mental power.
In October of 1997, the parasites attack, causing twenty of the recruits to kill themselves and manipulating others into accusing Austin and Reich of instigating a suicide cult. Austin and Reich counterattack with a publicity ploy that brings global attention to the existence of the mind parasites. For safety, Austin, Reich, and the survivors are transferred to a rocket base in New York State; there, new recruits are trained. In the meantime, the parasites inflame world tensions, stirring up both black African nationalists and German neo-Nazis.
When the danger of attacks by human dupes of the parasites becomes too great, Austin and Reich decide that outer space will be safer for the group. The U.S. government provides a rocket ship. Being in outer space has surprising effects upon both the parasites and the humans. The true origin of the parasites is revealed, as is the role of lunar influences. The development of superhumanity becomes possible. Austin, Reich, and their associates return to Earth, defuse the war situation, and begin the process of liberating humanity, a process largely completed by the year 2000. The narrative ends with a description, by the editor of Austin’s account, of the disappearance of Austin, Reich, and their entire crew in 2007 while on an archaeological expedition to Pluto. Their ship was left behind, fully intact. The editor presents his reasons for believing that the disappearance was intentional.