| Telekinesis Why: I cannot imagine how a bio-chemical-electrical mechanism like the brain and nervous system can cheat Newton's laws and push dumb matter around at a distance. And I don't really believe that any amount of quasi-quantum theory can help make it happen. Caution: If the brain has quantum effects built in, and if the many worlds interpretation of Quantum Physics is right, then it's just about possible that the brain might be able to choose to live in the universe where everyone's underwear spontaneously jumps 2 feet to the right. But that's a big if. Corollary: There's a whole range of New Age claptrap that boils down to a belief in Telekinesis. Some parts of "The Law Of Attraction" amount to this. Prove it: Follow this experiment for a week or two. Look for money on the ground as you walk the streets. Spend a week with the point of view that the money appears because looking for it is making it appear in front of you. Try to come up with several possible mechanisms for this. In the second week use the point of view that you're seeing money on the ground because you're paying more attention to what's around you. Develop several alternate hypotheses for why you're finding more money on the ground and try to test them out. |
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[ 06-Dec-06 1:00pm ] [ belief
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