Telempathy

"Telempathy" by Vance Simonds is a science fiction novel from the early 1960s where empathy and psychological influence are explored in the worlds of marketing and politics, especially in a fictionalized Hollywood setting. The story follows Cam Schofft, a marketing expert pulled into the orbit of Everett O'Toole, who belongs to a group with the ability to feel others' emotions, known as "Telempathy". This power grants them deep insights to shape public reaction, making it a valuable asset for political campaigns. As Cam and Everett work on a large rally for Father Sowles, a leader of a radical movement, they realize their methods could cause violence. The rally reveals unexpected challenges related to their abilities, leading to chaos and raising questions about the morality of manipulating public sentiment.