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Banned Ted Talk on ESP

programmer_guy

True Ex-Scientologist
..

Apologies to anyone disturbed by my previous debunking post.

But, it reminds me of a philosophical conundrum that I once thought of, which I have never really found a perfect answer to. I have never read, nor heard, about this perplexing problem, so I pretty much think that I made it up. Perhaps I should give it a suitable name and await medals, lol.

Quite simply, it goes like this.

You discover a remote island that has never been visited by anyone in history.

The 1000 people living there are provably the most joyful and happiest humans alive!

However, their belief system (you soon discover) is filled with mythological misinformation, silly superstitions and sucky science. In short, it appears that their euphoria is based on perfect (but incorrect) beliefs about life, death and everything in between.

Now, as an "outsider" from the modern world, you have hopes of teaching them the truth about so many basic things, beginning with the world not being flat.

Yet, if you start to demolish the framework of their beliefs, a portal opens to all of life's tragic emotions and worries. This, for example, is the price of teaching them about curing disease with modern medicine and such. Malaria, it seems is not cured by making goat sacrifices to the tree gods. Let them die young but happy?

So, do you EDUCATE them?

Or, do you hide the TRUTH, preserving their glowing joy?

If you don't tell them anything, they ignorant, but blissful.

So, what do you do?



(ps: Isn't this the same crazy glue that keeps people trapped within cults like Scientology woefully and intentionally ignorant? )


Let me make this story even worse! :omg:
Suppose it is not about people on any remote island BUT it is about your relatives and friends on Facebook!
 
..

Apologies to anyone disturbed by my previous debunking post.

But, it reminds me of a philosophical conundrum that I once thought of, which I have never really found a perfect answer to. I have never read, nor heard, about this perplexing problem, so I pretty much think that I made it up. Perhaps I should give it a suitable name and await medals, lol.

Quite simply, it goes like this.

You discover a remote island that has never been visited by anyone in history.

The 1000 people living there are provably the most joyful and happiest humans alive!

However, their belief system (you soon discover) is filled with mythological misinformation, silly superstitions and sucky science. In short, it appears that their euphoria is based on perfect (but incorrect) beliefs about life, death and everything in between.

Now, as an "outsider" from the modern world, you have hopes of teaching them the truth about so many basic things, beginning with the world not being flat.

Yet, if you start to demolish the framework of their beliefs, a portal opens to all of life's tragic emotions and worries. This, for example, is the price of teaching them about curing disease with modern medicine and such. Malaria, it seems is not cured by making goat sacrifices to the tree gods. Let them die young but happy?

So, do you EDUCATE them?

Or, do you hide the TRUTH, preserving their glowing joy?

If you don't tell them anything, they ignorant, but blissful.

So, what do you do?

(ps: Isn't this the same crazy glue that keeps people trapped within cults like Scientology woefully and intentionally ignorant? )

Hi H's, have you considered that they might not want to listen to your truths? That they are quite happy believing what they want to and tune out anything to the contrary?

Hasn't religion, communism and many others run into this same barrier?

I liked your post for that is the conundrum I face when I run into Scientologists I know, who have no idea I have left the flock. Should I let them believe in Scientology, continue to go into the org, and say nothing? Or should I say something? Generally - I let them ply the course they are on. Yeah, it is chicken shit, but I seriously think I won't have the slightest chance of changing their minds. Especially in a chance meeting. Those I have told I was declared couldn't get out of there quick enough. Hell, it took me years to see it for what it was after I was declared. How can I expect them to do it in a 5 min. conversation?

Moving on

Did you watch the dog videos I posted for you a while back? I would like to see how you would debunk them. James Randi debunked them and later admitted he hadn't watched the videos, and that he lost the paperwork of his own dog tests in a hurricane. Richard Wiseman also attempted to do the same.
Richard Wiseman is a conjurer and professional Skeptic based at the University of Hertfordshire in England, where he is Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology. He replicated Rupert Sheldrake's results with Jaytee, a dog that knew when his owner was coming home, obtaining positive, statistically significant results, and then claimed that he had refuted this dogs abilities! Read a summary of this long-lasting controversy, with links to Rupert's and Richard Wiseman's papers and articles on this subject.
Video link below.

You don't have to, and it's fine by me if you didn't and don't care to. You have made yourself clear you have no interest in Rupert Sheldrake's work, and I am not trying to sway your position. I am just curious if you can succeed in debunking the videos where those two have failed.

As ever,

Mimsey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA5wAm2c01w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrLJhBC3X4
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
Hi H's, have you considered that they might not want to listen to your truths? That they are quite happy believing what they want to and tune out anything to the contrary?

Hasn't religion, communism and many others run into this same barrier?

I liked your post for that is the conundrum I face when I run into Scientologists I know, who have no idea I have left the flock. Should I let them believe in Scientology, continue to go into the org, and say nothing? Or should I say something? Generally - I let them ply the course they are on. Yeah, it is chicken shit, but I seriously think I won't have the slightest chance of changing their minds. Especially in a chance meeting. Those I have told I was declared couldn't get out of there quick enough. Hell, it took me years to see it for what it was after I was declared. How can I expect them to do it in a 5 min. conversation?

Moving on

Did you watch the dog videos I posted for you a while back? I would like to see how you would debunk them. James Randi debunked them and later admitted he hadn't watched the videos, and that he lost the paperwork of his own dog tests in a hurricane. Richard Wiseman also attempted to do the same.
Video link below.

You don't have to, and it's fine by me if you didn't and don't care to. You have made yourself clear you have no interest in Rupert Sheldrake's work, and I am not trying to sway your position. I am just curious if you can succeed in debunking the videos where those two have failed.

As ever,

Mimsey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA5wAm2c01w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrLJhBC3X4


Cool post, thanks

Well first thing...

....have you considered that they might not want to listen to your truths? That they are quite happy believing what they want to and tune out anything to the contrary?

Sure, I consider that often.

That's why I think that desert island scenario is the perfect conundrum. I can see and easily explain why EITHER opposing solutions is perfect. I don't have any answer to it. I kind of like the way the glaring contradictions sort of cancel each other out.

I'm pretty much attuned to your "live and let live" with Scientologists. I have precious few encounters with active Scientologist for years--but I when I do, I like to flirt precariously close to the edge without them ever knowing what I think/believe.

I might ask a sort of innocuous but loaded question and see where they go with it. It's sometimes painful to see them fumbling for a standard answer, LOl.

Only once in the last decade did i say something to an active scientologist that was a direct nuclear hit on their cherished beliefs. I can't mention here what I said, but it was based on a truly tragic and devastating story of someone that we both knew well. And they were aware as I was what the COS goons had done to this individual. I wish I could say more, it's an explosively disgraceful story.

So, I asked an innocent sounding question and then followed it up with a simple incontestable fact they knew to be true. Jeez, sorry to make this so mysterious, but there are people involved in this tragedy I would never want to hurt further.

The person I was speaking to (this was at a party) just f*cking exploded, literally screaming: "YOU DON"T WHAT THE FUCK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!" Quite the volcanic eruption for someone of great intelligence who is always extremely calm and measured. It was a shocking moment for everyone in the room. Sudden quiet. I thought for a moment if I was going to respond with more obvious facts. It wasn't the time. So I very quietly said with piercing certitude: "I know a lot more than you think I know." We left it at that.

At that moment I was not the life of the party, lol lol lol.

CONCLUSION: Scientologists, despite their impressive collection of LRH quotes, axioms, scales, codes and marketing jingles, can rather easily become severely unstabilized, "over-restimulated" and wildly "reactive" when they are exposed to the confidential upper level call "FACTS".
 
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HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
ps: To Mimsey, regarding your other question.

Well, I did start to look at a BALANCE of information to refer to if I decided to view more of the paranormal dog claims. I wasn't particularly against learning of dog-ESP, but I have had so many HUNDREDS of such claims debunked before my own eyes before, that I kind of assumed it was just another pathway to disappointment.

In any case, I (intentionally) bumped into some of the dog-debunk websites and very quickly lost interest in seeing more claims. That's why I never responded to your invitations to look into it.

Knowing that I didn't track it all the way through, it would be manifestly unfair of me to claim or assert that Sheldrake's scientific research was a "dog's breakfast" (not legit). But since Sheldrakes track record was pretty sketchy already (other debunks) I just didn't have the passion or want to spend more time with him.

Maybe I'll bump into the material later. But it's kind of like a restaurant that I once ate at where everyone got food poisoning. I just don't have the heart (or stomach) to stop by there for a meal these days.

Hey, if there's really any animal (dog or otherwise) who can read minds or perceive at distances, I think it is fantastic!!! But it feels like one of those moments when I walk past an Ideal Org and the planet-clearers out front want to give me a ticket for a "free movie" or "free personality test" or "free stress test". I just sort of glide by invisibly---thinking: "...been there, dude, fuck that!" LOL
 
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tesseract

Patron with Horrors
After this project was "over" and my association with Scientology was also "over", I began to unravel any bias one way or another in such matters. Thus, when I saw the psychic parrot video, I quite loved it. I was excited with what it showed to (apparently) be true! But, simultaneously, I had a "zero-attitude" (agnostic) where I was just as happy to find out that it WASN'T true. That is the beauty of real research....it doesn't matter which way the wind blows, it's all exactly the same value.

Thanks, I know what you mean. But I needed that reminder. :flowers:
 
That's fine.

I think what is behind the attacks is rejection of his basic premise - that the mind is not limited by the brain or the physical confines of the body. His proofs are aimed at that extension of mind. That a dog can recognize when his master is coming home with no physical connection. That a person can stare at another and that person can become aware of him, and look back at him. That a person can discern who is calling them - even at a distance such as England to Australia. Other proofs of that nature.

That must be a threatening concept for it to arouse such ire. In a way it is similar to the aspect of quantum mechanics, where one thing influences the other over a distance, which is more generally accepted.

I would think there would be more support of such research, but it is attacked. Perhaps the underlying reason is political - If man is a meat machine with no real spiritual side, what does it matter if you harm them? On the flip side, if we are all interconnected and are spiritual beings, you are harming your greater self when you harm another. Such as when you institute destructive policies, that harm the environment - you harm your self as well, unless there is a weasel clause, that allows you to escape responsibility, and justifies your quest of personal wealth over the survival of others.

You could argue that Christianity is an extension of that system of belief - it puts off accounting for your deeds until death, and even that is uncertain, since no one has proved the existence of heaven or hell.

Or is it mere prejudice? Or is it the self same conundrum in your earlier post - that the people on the island don't want to have to change their world view? That we all live on islands of ideas that we hold sacrosanct?

Mimsey

ps: To Mimsey, regarding your other question.

Well, I did start to look at a BALANCE of information to refer to if I decided to view more of the paranormal dog claims. I wasn't particularly against learning of dog-ESP, but I have had so many HUNDREDS of such claims debunked before my own eyes before, that I kind of assumed it was just another pathway to disappointment.

In any case, I (intentionally) bumped into some of the dog-debunk websites and very quickly lost interest in seeing more claims. That's why I never responded to your invitations to look into it.

Knowing that I didn't track it all the way through, it would be manifestly unfair of me to claim or assert that Sheldrake's scientific research was a "dog's breakfast" (not legit). But since Sheldrakes track record was pretty sketchy already (other debunks) I just didn't have the passion or want to spend more time with him.

Maybe I'll bump into the material later. But it's kind of like a restaurant that I once ate at where everyone got food poisoning. I just don't have the heart (or stomach) to stop by there for a meal these days.

Hey, if there's really any animal (dog or otherwise) who can read minds or perceive at distances, I think it is fantastic!!! But it feels like one of those moments when I walk past an Ideal Org and the planet-clearers out front want to give me a ticket for a "free movie" or "free personality test" or "free stress test". I just sort of glide by invisibly---thinking: "...been there, dude, fuck that!" LOL
 
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Anonycat

Crusader
Nothing was banned, or attacked, and there is no ire. Simply said, this war is all in your head. Take a few seconds to learn more.

Google Sheldrake + Ted. Go to the Ted site. Read the un-moderated discussion they hosted. Read the statement about how Ted works. Their panel of 5 esteemed scientists whose job it is, decided that this isn't a match for Ted. They even pointed out that watching the video on YouTube is "a click away". That is more like encouraging people to watch it, than attacking it. It just wasn't a talk that they ultimately put their stamp on.

My Ted talk will be about using Wiccan banishing spells* to keep raccoons away from your trash cans. ;)

* Someone I knew actually offered to banish all the critters from the backyard of my beach house, as my cat was turning the foot of my bed into a nature museum/industry of death!
 
Nothing was banned, or attacked, and there is no ire. Simply said, this war is all in your head. Take a few seconds to learn more.

Google Sheldrake + Ted. Go to the Ted site. Read the un-moderated discussion they hosted. Read the statement about how Ted works. Their panel of 5 esteemed scientists whose job it is, decided that this isn't a match for Ted. They even pointed out that watching the video on YouTube is "a click away". That is more like encouraging people to watch it, than attacking it. It just wasn't a talk that they ultimately put their stamp on.

My Ted talk will be about using Wiccan banishing spells* to keep raccoons away from your trash cans. ;)

* Someone I knew actually offered to banish all the critters from the backyard of my beach house, as my cat was turning the foot of my bed into a nature museum/industry of death!
I posted that exact thing about the 5 scientists on their advisory panel previously in this thread. And yes, the video's are available - including one they removed and in the face of protests, reposted. ( see video below)

The ire about Sheldrake is not in my head - he is both widely attacked and he is lauded. Read his books - he goes into it a bit. This is nothing new, a point he makes is because of the constant attacks over the years against ESP and Paranormal research, and because of the charlatans infesting the field, many of the best researchers go to extraordinary lengths to ensure there is no hanky panky.

You might read his book - Science of Delusion. Here is a link to a review by the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/27/science-delusion-rupert-sheldrake-review.

[video=youtube;T80-ConDFAQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T80-ConDFAQ[/video]
 

Anonycat

Crusader
I posted that exact thing about the 5 scientists on their advisory panel previously in this thread. And yes, the video's are available - including one they removed and in the face of protests, reposted. ( see video below)

The ire about Sheldrake is not in my head - he is both widely attacked and he is lauded. Read his books - he goes into it a bit. This is nothing new, a point he makes is because of the constant attacks over the years against ESP and Paranormal research, and because of the charlatans infesting the field, many of the best researchers go to extraordinary lengths to ensure there is no hanky panky.

You might read his book - Science of Delusion. Here is a link to a review by the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/27/science-delusion-rupert-sheldrake-review.

Like HH, I've put in my time, and not willing to waste any more time with it. No, I won't be watching any videos or clicking any moonbat links.

I've read all the books you've mentioned, and others. I have a friend (an ex-scilon) who loves moobatery. They went to the Monroe "Institute" and I'm moobatted to death. I've spoken to one of those authors for an hour. I've been offered classes to give me such powers, that I can be a spoon-bender.

It's BS, afaic. Now it's your turn to read 10 books on critical thinking, so we're even. No need to reply, I'm GTFO of this thread. :hattip:
 

WildKat

Gold Meritorious Patron
..

Apologies to anyone disturbed by my previous debunking post.

But, it reminds me of a philosophical conundrum that I once thought of, which I have never really found a perfect answer to. I have never read, nor heard, about this perplexing problem, so I pretty much think that I made it up. Perhaps I should give it a suitable name and await medals, lol.

Quite simply, it goes like this.

You discover a remote island that has never been visited by anyone in history.

The 1000 people living there are provably the most joyful and happiest humans alive!

However, their belief system (you soon discover) is filled with mythological misinformation, silly superstitions and sucky science. In short, it appears that their euphoria is based on perfect (but incorrect) beliefs about life, death and everything in between.

Now, as an "outsider" from the modern world, you have hopes of teaching them the truth about so many basic things, beginning with the world not being flat.

Yet, if you start to demolish the framework of their beliefs, a portal opens to all of life's tragic emotions and worries. This, for example, is the price of teaching them about curing disease with modern medicine and such. Malaria, it seems is not cured by making goat sacrifices to the tree gods. Let them die young but happy?

So, do you EDUCATE them?

Or, do you hide the TRUTH, preserving their glowing joy?

If you don't tell them anything, they remain ignorant, but blissful.

So, what do you do?

(ps: Isn't this the same crazy glue that keeps people trapped within cults like Scientology woefully and intentionally ignorant? )

This is a very profound and philosophically deep question/issue....on many levels.

I should have written this post! I have certainly pondered the question many times.

Is it OK to let people have their delusions if they're happy or think they're just OK the way they are, even if not happy?

It pertains to Scn but it also pertains to larger issues. Like "what age should you tell a kid there's no Santa Claus"? If the Santa idea makes him smile, why would you want to tell him? How old is mature enough to be able to handle it?

The saying "ignorance is bliss" would be the perfect title to this post.

Sometimes, ignorance IS bliss!
 
Like HH, I've put in my time, and not willing to waste any more time with it. No, I won't be watching any videos or clicking any moonbat links.

I've read all the books you've mentioned, and others. I have a friend (an ex-scilon) who loves moobatery. They went to the Monroe "Institute" and I'm moobatted to death. I've spoken to one of those authors for an hour. I've been offered classes to give me such powers, that I can be a spoon-bender.

It's BS, afaic. Now it's your turn to read 10 books on critical thinking, so we're even. No need to reply, I'm GTFO of this thread. :hattip:

You know the attached video had zero to do with ESP etc? It's about the fallacy that the rich create jobs. Why they banned that, I don't know.

Mimsey
 
So I listened to it and it didn't put me to sleep at all! Fascinating guy. He also mentions Ingo Swann, someone I really got interested in some years ago. I've never delved into remote viewing or experimented with it, but he seems intelligent and credible talking about it. It makes no sense that his talk should have been banned. Do they just label something "banned" to get more people to watch it? Hmmm.....

I guess we'll hear from the debunkers anyway.
Wow Wildkat - you mention Ingo Swann and he pops up today on Tony Ortega's blog: http://tonyortega.org/2017/07/08/sc...usly-unpublished-ingo-swann-essay/#more-41121

Is it a co-inkidink or is: *** OAT TEE Powers?*** Or is Tony checking out my post ? Nahhh. my money's on OAT TEE POWERZ. :bow:

Mimsey
 

SuperPowers

Patron with Honors
Hi!
I'm a "Real Life Release" i e an atheist (i don't believe in a God). That took the slavery of religion out of me and I do not want it back!
However, I will tell you a little incident not to long ago when I lost my reading glasses. Couldn't find them! Looked "everywhere" in the appartment. I teared my hair. I looked on the floor. In the furniture. Couldn't find them!
Finally, I said a little prayer: "God - help me find my glasses!"
Less than one minute I got the idea: "Yes of course! They're in my apron hanging beside the stove."
I like to cook, making a nice dinner on Saturdays, have some wine. And the apron has a pocket.
Heureka - I found them!
However, I still don't believe in a god or miracles ...
I believe in looking everywhere :)
 
Hi!
I'm a "Real Life Release" i e an atheist (i don't believe in a God). That took the slavery of religion out of me and I do not want it back!
However, I will tell you a little incident not to long ago when I lost my reading glasses. Couldn't find them! Looked "everywhere" in the appartment. I teared my hair. I looked on the floor. In the furniture. Couldn't find them!
Finally, I said a little prayer: "God - help me find my glasses!"
Less than one minute I got the idea: "Yes of course! They're in my apron hanging beside the stove."
I like to cook, making a nice dinner on Saturdays, have some wine. And the apron has a pocket.
Heureka - I found them!
However, I still don't believe in a god or miracles ...
I believe in looking everywhere :)

You don't need to believe in god, just that matter is alive. So, they reached out to you when you called for them.... poor lonely glasses, left forgotten in an apron pocket, So sadly.:melodramatic: Aren't you glad they answered you?

Mimsey

Animism (from Latin anima, "breath, spirit, life")[1][2] is the religious belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence.[3][4][5][6] Potentially, animism perceives all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork, and perhaps even words—as animated and alive. Animism is the oldest known type of belief system in the world that even predates Scientology.
more at wiki.

hqdefault.jpg
From one of the all time great movies - Little Big Man.
 

strativarius

Inveterate gnashnab & snoutband
You don't need to believe in god, just that matter is alive. So, they reached out to you when you called for them.... poor lonely glasses, left forgotten in an apron pocket, So sadly.:melodramatic: Aren't you glad they answered you?

Mimsey

more at wiki.

hqdefault.jpg


From one of the all time great movies - Little Big Man.

Of course matter is alive, why, I had an enthralling conversation with my electric toaster just this morning...

Mimsey, IMO the only reason you're not booted off of this mb for being an inveterate troll is that you're such a nice guy. :biggrin:
 
Strati - since you are so special ( to me) and love guitar - check this out.... I know you have problems with looking at videos because of your band width or something like that, but at least try one of them. Mimsey

[video=youtube;9LOHsrLWgq4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LOHsrLWgq4[/video]

[video=youtube;BjoVOLHe75U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjoVOLHe75U[/video]
 
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