In which I am frustrated by wishful thinking

[jan_andrea]

There's a discussion going on at The BabyWearer about "The Secret" -- that money-making enterprise that basically says "wishing makes it so".

Argh.

If I hear "If you believe it, it's true for you!" one more time, I will scream. There are things that are objectively true, and objectively false. The world does not rest on the back of a tortise. The sun does not revolve around the earth, and there are no epicycles. The Virgin Mary does not miraculously appear in your grilled cheese to bring you a Sign. Believing these things doesn't make them happen!

I don't know why I bother :P Except that pseudoscience (someone brought up "What the Bleep do We Know" which is full of stupid) and magical thinking make me crazy. The universe is what it is, people! Just thinking about it -- no matter how strong you think your brain is -- doesn't change one damned thing about it! You have to *act*. And if you don't act, then you can't expect anything to change.

But I know, people will believe stupid things no matter how great the evidence to the contrary. Someone, please tell me to unsubscribe from the thread.

Comments

[meadowrue.livejournal.com]

Oh my. I find myself becoming increasingly cynical the more I read about this kind of thing. It seems that there is an unending supply of new groups ready to exploit the pocketbooks of the hopeful and trusting. And when the skeptics speak out we are the ones that are reviled for spoiling the 'fun'. After all what fun is there in taking control and responsibility for yourself and accepting reality? Did you hear that Peter Popoff is back? Is his 'reality' true if you believe it as well. Aaargghh! We should be teaching skepticism and critical thinking in schools. It is apparently much needed.

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

OMFG. I can't believe Popoff is still alive, let alone distributing his bullshit.

Speaking of bullshit, I would love to see Penn & Teller skewer "The Secret".

I agree that critical thinking should be taught in schools... but then kids would start questioning religion, and we couldn't have that.

[nutmeg.livejournal.com]

Have you visited, Why does got hate amputees?

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

No, but that is awesome. Thanks for the link!