Throughout New Guinea, it's commonly feared that if one's name or image falls into the hands of an enemy, he may use it mischievously. Sorcerers believe they can render even the mightiest helpless by naming, or injure another by introducing his likeness into an unpleasant situation. A sorcerer who possesses any part of his victim, anything once him - hair clippings, footprints, etc. - has him at his mercy.

The concept of soul-stealing applies in modern life, as well. John Grierson, the Scottish filmmaker, once warned, "You may take a man's soul away by taking a picture of him. You may take part of his privacy away."

There is a widespread saying among American Indians, "Traders stole our furs, settlers our lands, now missionaries want our souls." I recently heard an Indian say this on TV. He was on guard against the missionaries; in the meantime he let the media capture & possess his spirit totally.

Once a spirit or image falls into the hands of another, he's free to do with it as he likes.

In 1950, a Baltimore tabloid ran a photomontage of Earl Browder, the communist leader, and Millard Tydings, the Maryland senator, though the two had never met or been associated. Putting Tyding's image in this context helped destroy him politically.