My intention is for people to share stuff that in their opinion is worth seeing. It disappoints me you think the video is not significant, but that's your view. I have no intention to criticize everything that is posted here, for instance, we could discuss all about the video and I urge you to take a second look, it is very well thought out really. Actually, everyone should see it. I don't see it exploiting any stereotypes, it is impossible it will encompass every single case and idea anyway. The video transmits a good message, feed your brain, use the reason, don't jump to conclusions, analyze the evidence, accept that the evidence leads you to the truth, avoid pseudo-science, don't take things in faith just because you "feel it in your heart", after all, we humans are delusional more than we realize and the single idea that your experience or my experience should be taken as evidence for anything is poor thinking.

The point is that now and then everyone comes across something that causes a big impression to them, and that's the kind of information and stuff that should be posted here. If you believe in God and you found something that you think is groundbreaking, share it.

Like, I could lay out my reasons to be skeptical about the "unexplainable", god, crop circles created by aliens, etc., and we could actually talk about all of that in another thread. Here however I would prefer if we just expose information (videos, articles, links) that you think, transmit the same message you want to share.

Last edited by jorgebucaran (2009 May 25, 1:22 pm)

Yes it is inevitable. Well let's see what people come up with.

School of Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLYhtFEQ07A

Probably everybody knows this already, but it's just awesome:
Where the Hell is Matt?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNF_P281Uu4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WmMcqp670s

And if you like "Were the hell is Matt", this is a must see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

Last edited by Proxx (2009 May 25, 3:34 pm)

yukamina wrote:

Proxx wrote:

Probably everybody knows this already, but it's just awesome:
Where the Hell is Matt?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNF_P281Uu4

I totally don't get it. But he should learn to dance better.

It's pointless. It just shows he's been around. I want to do the same

ファブリス wrote:

When I said I like to "to stretch my mind" in my crop circle post, I use an expression of mine, which means I like to really mess up with my own beliefs and doubts and truths by getting deep into the rabbit hole of information and disinformation that is the internets, and have fun juggling between the so called "facts" or "fictions". I read both sides of the fence,  despite what you seem to think, though I freely admit I no longer spend equal time reading the "debunking" articles seeing as 99% of them dismiss "pseudo-science" too easily and without doing their research.

I agree with you here, that's open mindedness.

ファブリス wrote:

That video would have you believe that an interest in pseudo-sciences and new age stuff is "sabotaging your capacity for learning".

Not entirely true. The video also explains that sometimes new ideas are not compatible with scientific theories which make those theories in need for rework and in fact they are reworked. Science is moved by evidence and not by desire. Just like Newton's laws explained how the mechanics of the Universe work along came Einstein and developed the Relativity which does the same fixing Newton's lack to account for the curved space and how gravity modify the time and space. Relativity sits on top of Newton's laws and allows for a more precise calculation. Some people ignore that Newton's law are not actually precise because at our scale everything seems to work and it does, however, when our civilization reaches Star Trek level then it will obvious that Relativity is in fact the law that explains the mechanics of the Universe more accurately.

It is important to understand that when there is not scientific evidence for something, it does not matter your desire to believe it, desire is nothing, evidence is everything.  Pseudo-sciences are called that way because to the date no scientific evidence have been presented to support them. The video uses well accepted pseudo-sciences like Astrology, Aura-Reading, Crystal Healing, etc., as examples of pseudo-sciences and just that. Think about it, the video is not saying that you are sabotaging your capacity for learning if you believe in pseudo-sciences, is saying actually that if you believe in things on faith without evidence then you are indeed sabotaging yourself. The fact that you don't believe in Astrology does not mean you will never do or don't have to be interested about it. If evidence is presented to support Astrology then you would change your mind immediately, however, currently given the lack of any you choose disbelief, however it is perfectly valid to be interested in things like Telekinesis and Feng Shui to name a few, it is perfectly valid to investigate them and explore them, someday one of those may be proven right.

I understand what you mean by stereotypes though. The thing is that these pseudo-sciences have been proven wrong so many times (inconsistencies, impossibility to reproduce people's experiences that just happened to them and in complete isolation, etc). It is a common belief among some groups of skeptics that pseudo-scientists are stupid. That is wrong. If you are an astrologist and you take decisions based on pseudo-science then you may be stupid, however your exploration on the subject makes you nothing but open minded and curious, and curiosity is the fuel of human knowledge.

ファブリス wrote:

The very "pseudo-science" term is a derogatory to anything that's not yet explained.

It's the appropriate term for theories that claim something that can't be proven. At least not currently. However just like everything about language, the actual interpretation depends on how people and society look at things, like take for instance "gaijin", we know it means "outsider person", there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, however people started to use it as a derogatory term and now is considered politically incorrect by the media.

ファブリス wrote:

I feel that an interest in the unexplained, and the so called "conspiracy theories" is indicative of a person asking questions and looking for answers.

I couldn't agree more.

Last edited by jorgebucaran (2009 May 25, 5:56 pm)

kazelee wrote:

Pseudo-science is almost always used in a derogatory way. In fact, I cannot recall a time where such was not the case. Sad it is.

Must watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk91uPJO3kI

However, just to be clear

Generally used like a derogatory term != Is a derogatory name.

Pseudo-science is not a derogatory name. However when you think about it, most pseudo-sciences lack all form of evidence and some claim the most ridiculous things. What is derogatory anyway? It is basically a low opinion of something. Well, I think that if you lack the evidence to prove your claims a low opinion is what you deserve, and sometimes that is much.

kazelee wrote:

jorgebucaran wrote:

ell, I think that if you lack the evidence to prove your claims a low opinion is what you deserve, and sometimes that is much.

Hmmmm.... seems rather extreme doesn't it? I can't understand why lack of evidence would merit one's disbelief, by why a low opinion as well?

Must watch

http://www.veoh.com/collection/yorosen/ … 01Nr9r7hcn

Maybe I am extreme with the low opinion but I don't let that cloud my judgment. However, lack of evidence would definitely merit disbelief. Why would you believe in something if there is no evidence? However you can always check back and stay alert to see if new evidence is presented. Like aliens, I don't believe in aliens because there is no evidence for aliens. And even though I would kill to see one and wish there would come knock at my door, believing in them does not change anything. I will always be alert and open-eyed and maybe even hoping evidence supports their existence someday. One key concept here is believing and hoping. I hope I win the lottery, does that make me stupid? No, I may win even if there is the slightest chance. However I can't believe I will win the lottery because that has no effect on what will actually happen.

One problem I think is with the word "belief", you see, when you say you believe something, you put yourself in a "dangerous situation" if there is no evidence to support that thing you believe in (which may well indicate that is actually falsely based and not true).

Play by my metaphor here, remember that Indiana Jones movie when he walks on top of an "invisible bridge"? Well, that is so silly, because believing didn't save him, the "invisible bridge" was there all along. The other people that walked after him probably didn't even know if they had to believe or not and they were able to pass regardless. So lucky for Indy, there was an "invisible bridge". However believing without proof may lead you to disaster sometimes. If there was no "invisible bridge" he would have died because "belief" wouldn't have saved him.

The point is that belief should be automatic in things that are provable and viceversa. However there is nothing wrong to be open to pseudo-sciences or anything "unexplainable" and this openness comes in the form of interest for exploring and learning more about it and not anything like taking personal / life decisions based on them, that would be doing things based on faith and not reason.

cracky wrote:

www.zombo.com changed my life.

Funny. Obviously you are making fun of my thread.

jorgebucaran wrote:

kazelee wrote:

jorgebucaran wrote:

ell, I think that if you lack the evidence to prove your claims a low opinion is what you deserve, and sometimes that is much.

Hmmmm.... seems rather extreme doesn't it? I can't understand why lack of evidence would merit one's disbelief, by why a low opinion as well?

Must watch

http://www.veoh.com/collection/yorosen/ … 01Nr9r7hcn

Maybe I am extreme with the low opinion but I don't let that cloud my judgment. However, lack of evidence would definitely merit disbelief. Why would you believe in something if there is no evidence.......

"I can't understand why lack of evidence would merit one's disbelief, by why a low opinion as well?"

Should read

"I can understand why lack of evidence would merit one's disbelief, by why a low opinion as well?"

The problem with such simple mistakes is that I sometimes fail to notice them while rereading before I post.


Must watch. A life changer it was.

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/categ … 43pJctGPcz

jorgebucaran wrote:

@kazelee I can't watch videos from veoh because I am in Venezuela. This also applies to many other people not in the list of veoh.

Not even via proxy or some other method?

@pubbie: I think you're missing the point with your judgment of my mental faculties..

I believe reason and critical thinking are overrated. They're just tools, and they're just a part of the human mind. here is more to the human mind than reason, you may be interested in the subject of integral thinking.

Have you ever sat through a 10 day meditation course? I have. Have you practiced meditation seriously, if only for a couple months, to investigate your mind ? I have done many times. Please don't tell me how to be open minded.

Here's my video, it's from the Monthy Pythons  ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jt5ibf … annel_page

There is no more than reason. Well, of course what goes on in peoples minds is a different matter, but reality is most certainly objective. And not a single drop, not a SINGLE drop of knowledge has ever been added to the understanding of nature by anything except mans ability to reason.

So yes, reason is 'just' a tool of the mind, but if you believe reality is objective (if you believe the world exists, to put it another way..), it is the only tool you will ever need, and the only tool you should live by. If you want to live on earth, and not in the mind.