From: ShawnJ99@aol.com
Date: Sun May 11 1997 - 22:08:09 MDT
In response to:
<< Last night I found myself in a futile conversation. I couldn't tell at
<first if this woman was on a mystic-trip or actually in touch with
<reality, but I new it was over when she said, "Have you read _The
<Celestine Prophesy_?" I'm sure many of you have been there...
<
<The woman I conversed with exhibited a pattern of thought that I've noticed
in
<numerous conversations with New Agers: They can rebuke any attempt at
<rational thought b/c their belief system allows them to say anything,
<making up mind-fodder as they go along. Now, many of you who are far more
<leathal at intellectual sparring than I are surely more successful at
arguing
<with mystics than I. My arguing skills are need of developement (hence
<this post). As I struggle to put together rational replies to their
<fanciful ramblings, these mystics run circles around my logic. How do
<experienced rational thinkers deal with people who can say anything (that
<is to the extent that they can be dealt with)?
<
<Also, these people think they are quantum mechanics, rigging their
<silliness with quatum "stuff." These people don't even have a clue about
the
<concept of a quantized energy packet, yet they think that watching _Quantum
<Leap_ or reading books by quacks who give no references gives them
<understanding enough to invoke quantum physics as "proof" of their
<madness. I know just enough about quantum mechanics to know not to f***
<with it, yet they don't notice that the people who do know what they're
<talking about spend years, if not decades, understanding quantum mechanics
<to the extent that is understood. These fruit-loops are a sad lot.
<
<Enough angst.
<
<Exovivo!
<Michael Bowling
<mlbowli1@cord.iupui.edu >>
I have encountered similar situations. Mystics are mystics. Trying to
reason with someone who thinks they know all the answers, people who are not
seeking to discover what "reality" is, but rather seek mysticism, is futile.
Once you've told them the idea of rationality, or how to observe, and make
opinions based on those observations, with the right to alter the opinions
with further evidence, then, if they haven't accepted the unprovability of
mysticism, they are beyond our help. My advice is, once you determine
someone to be hopelessly irrational, only deal with them when neccessary.
Seek other companions (ones who think).
Shawn M. Johnson
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