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Phil Miranda wrote:
Hey Maurice
Great post !
I found a new link for the video that was not working. Worth watching if you like a laugh.
regards
Phil
Great post !
I found a new link for the video that was not working. Worth watching if you like a laugh.
regards
Phil
18/08 06:48:01
MorganLighter wrote:
Maurice - I have struggled over whether or not to comment. I went through your post and clicked on all the threads to experience what you saw and read. At first blush, I would have the same opinion as you and it's unfortunate that your first introduction to this topic was a debacle. When I landed on Amazon's page, I only recognized one name - Neale Donald Walsch, who wrote the trilogy 'Conversations with God', of which you may or may not have heard.
I do, however, think you might wish to investigate this phenomenal methodology from people who are real, not those that seem to be quacks, hucksters and charlatans.
There is truth in 'The Law of Attraction', but nothing like the video that was on Miranda's site. If I were ignorant of 'the law', I would have laughed, but not being uninformed, I viewed the 'skit' in a different light.
Should you wish to look further into this subject, I suggest you read Dr. Wayne Dyer's books, starting with 'The Power of Intention' and 'Inspiration, Your Ultimate Calling.' Also, you can read Shakti Gawain's 'Creative Visualization.' By the way, your local library should have all of these books, so it won't cost you a dime.
Hoping you will do further research, as others who might visit your site will think that ignorance becomes you.
I do, however, think you might wish to investigate this phenomenal methodology from people who are real, not those that seem to be quacks, hucksters and charlatans.
There is truth in 'The Law of Attraction', but nothing like the video that was on Miranda's site. If I were ignorant of 'the law', I would have laughed, but not being uninformed, I viewed the 'skit' in a different light.
Should you wish to look further into this subject, I suggest you read Dr. Wayne Dyer's books, starting with 'The Power of Intention' and 'Inspiration, Your Ultimate Calling.' Also, you can read Shakti Gawain's 'Creative Visualization.' By the way, your local library should have all of these books, so it won't cost you a dime.
Hoping you will do further research, as others who might visit your site will think that ignorance becomes you.
19/08 20:04:25
caymanhost wrote:
Morgan
I thank you for taking the time to comment and for the suggested reading.
My post was specific in relation to "The Secret" and it's definitions of the Law Of Attraction. (a misnomer if ever there was one) They are quite clear that the LOA is a law, and even try to assert scientific affirmation of this law, claiming that it works every time, no exceptions. This is quite plainly nonsense. The supporters and cheerleaders of this type of delusional rubbish are no better than those selling any other form of wish fulfillment to those foolish or vulnerable enough to be easily duped.
The LOA as presented by The Secret encourages people to believe that wanting something will be enough to transform any desire, material or otherwise into reality. There is no suggestion that a person need do any more than,as they put it, "ask, believe and receive". How profound.
I'm sorry Morgan but it is pure fantasy and not only is it drivel it is also irresponsible and promotes the idea that this unproven LOA governs everything - it follows that we can control absolutely everything in our lives by employing it, which as any rational person will agree is hardly the case. We have a responsibility for our actions, but we cannot always guarantee the outcome of those actions, and frequently have no control over outside influences on either the decisions we take or the course of our lives. Of course, like all scams, the purveyors of this one leave themselves a catch all get out clause, because if the LOA and The Secret don't deliver, it is your own fault for not applying it correctly. How convenient eh?
I have not read the publications you mention, and all I can say is that if the authors of these works in any way condone the contents of the Secret they do themselves a disservice and, no matter what else they may do, have made a mistake in lending their names to such blatant rubbish. The Secret doesn't even have the redeeming feature of offering spiritual consolation or enlightenment so why some of them endorse it has to make you wonder what was in it for them doesn't it? Could it be, perhaps, financial gain at any cost? Surely not.
As to whether ignorance becomes me, I think in this case that your thinly veiled slight says far more about that character trait than I convey in my post. All I will add is that if people view my stance on this as "ignorance" I really won't be losing any sleep over it.
I thank you for taking the time to comment and for the suggested reading.
My post was specific in relation to "The Secret" and it's definitions of the Law Of Attraction. (a misnomer if ever there was one) They are quite clear that the LOA is a law, and even try to assert scientific affirmation of this law, claiming that it works every time, no exceptions. This is quite plainly nonsense. The supporters and cheerleaders of this type of delusional rubbish are no better than those selling any other form of wish fulfillment to those foolish or vulnerable enough to be easily duped.
The LOA as presented by The Secret encourages people to believe that wanting something will be enough to transform any desire, material or otherwise into reality. There is no suggestion that a person need do any more than,as they put it, "ask, believe and receive". How profound.
I'm sorry Morgan but it is pure fantasy and not only is it drivel it is also irresponsible and promotes the idea that this unproven LOA governs everything - it follows that we can control absolutely everything in our lives by employing it, which as any rational person will agree is hardly the case. We have a responsibility for our actions, but we cannot always guarantee the outcome of those actions, and frequently have no control over outside influences on either the decisions we take or the course of our lives. Of course, like all scams, the purveyors of this one leave themselves a catch all get out clause, because if the LOA and The Secret don't deliver, it is your own fault for not applying it correctly. How convenient eh?
I have not read the publications you mention, and all I can say is that if the authors of these works in any way condone the contents of the Secret they do themselves a disservice and, no matter what else they may do, have made a mistake in lending their names to such blatant rubbish. The Secret doesn't even have the redeeming feature of offering spiritual consolation or enlightenment so why some of them endorse it has to make you wonder what was in it for them doesn't it? Could it be, perhaps, financial gain at any cost? Surely not.
As to whether ignorance becomes me, I think in this case that your thinly veiled slight says far more about that character trait than I convey in my post. All I will add is that if people view my stance on this as "ignorance" I really won't be losing any sleep over it.
21/08 15:42:17
17/08: The Secret. BS Taken To The Limits.
I started the day off checking my mail and catching up on the progress of our hurricane "Dean" and somehow stumbled onto more about The Secret. Before you throw up your hands, roll your eyes and the like, I realize it has been discussed to death, but I got sucked into the discourse and it really was very interesting. Result, I spent a good couple of hours reading through some really strong opinions, flames, name calling and thought provoking debate.
Before anyone thinks this is going to turn into an evangelical sermon supporting the book/DVD, it isn't. I first heard of the so called Secret when some air headed aging hippy type mentioned it to my wife and I over some drinks one evening a few months ago. At the time I politely sat there and listened (or half listened) to their over zealous drivel and was mighty relieved to be sat down at the dinner table far from their clutches about half an hour later. This should give you a clue as to where I stand, but I will elaborate.
First, I have a real problem with anyone who is prepared to perpetrate a scam of any kind and can still sleep soundly at night, all the while laughing and actually taking pride in their ability to deceive and 'persuade' by playing on the vulnerability and, let's be honest here, stupidity and greed of others.
When I came across the post about "The Secret" over at The Skeptico Blog, I was hardly prepared for the intensity and moral, ethical, religious, scientific nature of the commenting. (It is a VERY long discussion thread so be prepared). Everyone who got involved had very strong views, and a lot of people were torn to shreds after getting in way over their heads in terms of their ability to debate or reason with some very determined and vocal skeptics.
I heard terms that I had never come across before, like "woos" and "bleevers" and at times I winced and others laughed out loud. As I said it was an interesting two hours.
The second time I read anything about the Secret was over at another blog I like to visit called Scams, Lies and Crap which is penned by an acerbic Aussie called Phil Miranda. He has posted a couple of articles and videos about it on his pages (sadly one of them is no longer available) but you can see what you think of one of the supporters and advocates of the whole incredible Secret gravy train. Read Phil's post about David Schirmer and The Secret Exposed and watch the video.
(Update - thanks to Phil for confirming that you can once more find the other amusing video about The Secret here
I never needed any convincing of the total falsehood of the premise that if you want something all you have to do is wish for it. This is basically the BS that the Secret promotes, and states to be an irrefutable law. Apparently, millions of people don't agree with me and willingly parted with money to purchase a so called life changing secret. (Perhaps I could sell them on an idea I've had about this guy, let's call him Nick, who lives at the North Pole and every year will give you everything you want. That's right, everything. All you have to do is send him a letter assuring him you are worthy of his altruism. I was thinking we could dress him up in some kind of outfit and asign some miraculous properties to his character, to confound those who might pick holes in the credibility of Nick......it needs some work but I think I might be onto something).
Folks, if you bought into it and if you haven't realized it yet, you were had, in a big way. There is no "secret", but there are unprincipled people who will happily relieve you of your money and give nothing in return and there always will be. Positive thinking can make a huge difference to your sense of well being, even your happiness or lack of it, but folks, it doesn't deliver million dollar cheques, fancy cars, mansions or any other kind of material wealth. The Secret goes way beyond the suggestion that positive thinking will make you feel better. If it didn't it wouldn't be so bad. What it does do is make astoundingly bold and untruthful claims and backs them up with nothing but hot air. Don't be fooled, the Secret makes no-one materially wealthy but the charlatans who designed and marketed it.
Some have said that it was a remarkable piece of marketing that you have to admire, but I would say that depends entirely on your view. It certainly worked, but it is impossible for me to find anything admirable about dishonesty and playing on people's weaknesses and vulnerability by abusing the power of suggestion and spreading false hope and fantasy. To me it is no different to those who prey on old and vulnerable people to deliberately relieve them of their life savings by frightening them into buying overpriced security systems or whatever else they can scare them into believing will ensure their well being. It's disgusting behavior. I've said it before and I'll say it again, maybe those who were cheated deserved what they got, but it still doesn't excuse it in my book.
There is absolutely nothing new about the Secret apart from its incredible audacity perhaps. I recall being dragged to a seminar about 20 years ago in England by someone who had supposedly "seen the light" after being rooked out of a large chunk of money by some really obnoxious motivational speakers. I went along because this person was my friend and I was concerned by everything I'd heard about the methods being employed. These included sleep and sensory deprivation and it was basically a crude form of brainwashing. The introductory meeting, was as expected, a fanatical assault on people's self esteem and perceived shortcomings and weaknesses all topped off with an even greater attempted assault on their cheque books and credit cards. It made me sick and I wasn't alone and after challenging the scammers several people present went on to report them to the authorities in that country.
I'm sure readers may be wondering what this has to do with the things I normally write about on my blog, but I hope it's relevance is apparent. So many bloggers arrive on the web with the aspiration of making it big, working from home, giving up the J.O.B. and I'm not for one minute saying it's not possible. Please realize that success normally comes through your own endeavours. By all means think positive, believe in yourself and your ability to achieve whatever passes for success in your eyes, but remember that there is no secret to controlling that which will always be out of your control. If there were, it would be worth a whole lot more than a few dollars for a "self-help" course.
There are those that mock good old homespun philosophy but try to remember the time worn wisdom contained in some of it. "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it" springs to mind. The Secret promotes a selfish and self serving way of living your life, it feeds on the avarice and mercenary in human beings and trades on fear, but teaches nothing of value to anybody. In short, when any of us go through periods of self analysis and examination of our priorities and what is important to us, we really don't need spurious and unqualified nonsense like this do we? Don't be taken in by those who tell you should always strive for more than you currently have, nor that what you do or do not have, marks you out as a failure, or someone deserving of nothing better because your attitude sucks. In short don't buy into a con that has been repeatedly perpetrated for centuries under various guises.
Now, I'm signing off but not before I wish for a planet free of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions; a world without inequality, disease, starvation, or war and a life full of nothing but peace, happiness, wealth and the complete absence of misfortune (for myself of course) and it will come to pass. The world can thank me later for my taming of the universe through the "law" of attraction. What? You don't believe I can do it? Please just think about that before posting anything about me not being open-minded or other such tosh.
TCH
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tags: the Secret, scams, cons, self help scams, motivational books, greatest scams of all time
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