Based on a true story - high school teacher's attempted lesson on fascism gone awry

Whole Earth Review, Summer, 1993 by Ron Jones

THE THIRD WAVE was a classroom experiment on the workings and consequences of Fascism. It took place in 1967 in my World History Class at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California. The experiment that was initiated as a one-day exercise in the "power of discipline" became a five-day nightmare. Over 300 students eventually took part in The Wave. The desire to be "a part of the group," to be "successful" and "actively involved" in the experiment, replaced student curiosity and expression. Uniform behavior, salutes, tattling, their freedom for the promise of being superior to their classmates.

The first public account of The Third Wave appeared in CoEvolution Quarterly (Spring 1976). The story didn't end there. The Wave has become a Russian nesting doll, with each colorful face giving new evidence about the enigma called Fascism. It has become a television drama, the source of countless news articles, an international bestseller, and a theatrical performance in nine countries and as many languages. And, perhaps most intriguing of all, the reason for the German government to invite me to Nuremberg to address rallies concerned about neofascism. The Wave has become a true story based on a true story, based on a... This is part of that story.

FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION of "Take As Directed" in CoEvolution Quarterly, I was contacted by film, TV, and a host of dreamers and schemers. I sold the media rights to Norman Lear. Following a day-long discussion about teaching and philosophy, Mr. Lear chuckled to his co-producers, "He's an anarchist!" One co-producer actually asked, "What's an anarchist?" The others just grimaced. "How can we make a story about an anarchist?" It should have been a warning. But I was too busy with my Movie-of-the-Week smile!

I had self-published "The Wave" in an uncopyrighted collection of stories that I mailed to friends. On the basis of this, Norman Lear's lawyers were quite willing to consider The Wave public property and simply steal it. But fortunately for me, The Wave was protected by CQ's copyright. I suspect Stewart knew it was a Maltese Falcon of sorts: better to give it back than worry about a fat man.

Two years later, I received a postcard telling me the movie was complete and a preview for network executives was scheduled for that afternoon! I grabbed my daughter Hilary and sped to the airport. We sat in the back of the projection room as the producers informed the assembled executives that this was a show prepared as an "After-School Special." The film flickered to life. I immediately understood why they hadn't wanted me to be a part of it. The teleplay revolved around a love affair between two students. Of course this love gave the students the awareness and confidence to halt the experiment. I turned to my eight-year-old daughter: "It didn't happen that way!" I needed to explain to someone the historical error in the film. "Love didn't stop The Wave and it sure didn't stop the Holocaust!" Hilary brought my disappointment into perspective: "Could we see some stars now?"

The film was an instant hit. The executives walked in tight circles and talked on their phones. The producer, Fern Field, smiled and confided in me, "It's going Prime Time!" The Wave won Emmy, Peabody and Golden Glove awards.

A novelization of the teleplay was rushed into production by Doubleday/Dell. It perpetuated the same misinformation as had the TV drama. In the film and "tie-in novel" there was no mention of the subtle changes in power and identity that mark one's experience with Fascism. The erosion of humor and the absence of rebellion. The denials of those who claimed they were "simply going along" with the experiment. Author Todd Strassner (writing as Morton Rhue) did not interview any of the individuals that took part in the experiment. Or report on what the students and I did after The Wave, when faced with the real racism of school integration and the Vietnam War. The truth simply didn't matter. History wasn't important. There wasn't time for it. The nation gobbled up the novelization, and the press releases that summarized The Wave in one or two hyper sentences: "California High School Turns Fascist."

The Wave is not something I'm particularly proud of, but it became an opportunity to examine our willingness to give up our freedom. With this in mind I nevously accepted several requests to go on national television. Donahue introduced me as a Communist.

There were surprise visits from television crews from Germany, Israel, several evangelical networks and independent filmmakers. I was always asked to stand next to or ride a cable car while explaining The Wave. A German crew asked me to provide directions to their real interest in traveling to the US -- Las Vegas! I have never seen any of these productions. It's strange to get letters from European students asking about The Wave and its connection with Las Vegas.

Worldwide, 236 magazines, religious periodicals, and newspapers have reprinted parts of the novelization or exaggerated press packages released by ABC-TV and Doubleday/Dell. Forty-one psychological and educational textbooks have printed various versions of The Wave. (Most news and magazine articles and even textbook accounts are taken directly from press releases.) The most frightening request about The Wave came from Jim Jones of People's Temple. He was convinced I knew some secret way to control people, and was enraged when I refused to meet with him.