Blog 25

My specific real world connection is the testing of Frank Olson. Frank Olson was a military scientist who had hallucinogenic drugs tested on him by the CIA. They did this as part of the MKULTRA Project, which was a project designed to create mind control, which could lead to the ultimate soldier or assassin. While I would have preferred a situation where someone like River Tam was actually made, this has never been the case. Therefore, I am doing my situation on one of the most notable tests in an attempt to create something like her.

Frank Olson was a bacteriologist in the army. He was given drugs by the CIA against his knowledge. After taking these drugs, Lux of Erowid claims that Olson fell into a depression. After some time, Olson reportedly killed himself. News articles of the time state that he jumped from a 10^th story hotel window, probably due to his recent depression. Olson's son didn't believe this answer, which was only supported when the CIA admitted that they had given Olson LSD as part of their project. His son believed that Olson was (almost ironically) assassinated in the opportune fashion of dropping someone out of a window. Although the exact details of his death will never be revealed, the fact remains that Olson had been drugged by the government in their attempt to further their project.

Although a bit more roundabout than an ideal situation, the drugging and subsequent death of Frank Olson exemplifies the ruthlessness of the government in trying to create the ultimate assassin. Incredibly similar to the situation of River Tam (albeit with lower technology, and not as directly), the death of Frank Olson demonstrates the terrible methods involved in creating the ideal killer.