No person reading a modern book on hypnotism can fail to realise that
Dianetics is a version of hypnotism.
Most modern hypnotism (particularly the NLP variety) is carried out
without unconsciousness. NLP holds that we all slip in and out of
hypnotic states all of the time and that most advertising is designed
to do this.
L Ron Hubbard disguised the hypnotism within Dianetics and the TR
routines by hiding behind a Hollywood notion of hypnotism. It is not
clear if he subscribed to this himself but he was surely aware of it.
Hypnotism probably had a more sinister reputation in 1950 than it does
now. It was seen (particularly by Sci Fi readers) as a means of
controlling people against their will. In order to get people to
submit to hypnotism he first had to convince them that Dianetics was
not hypnotism at all. This was done by equating hypnotism with
unconsciousness.
Hypnotism does NOT always involve unconsciousness and does NOT mean
that a person becomes a robotic slave while under the influence.
Hypnotism is simply the narrowing of attention and the bypassing of
the logical mind- both of which are found in Scientology and
Dianetics.
By these means it is possible to enslave a person by degrees.
Irrational notions and loyalties may be installed by creating a
hypnotic atmosphere and separating the victim from normal reality. In
order to do this the victim must first be lulled into a false sense of
security- which is easily achieved once the victim equates hypnotism
with unconsciousness.
LRH knew this well as he was something of a stage hypnotist himself.