Should I buy this pro-psychic book

[Safe-Keeper]

OK, so in an effort to "see the other side", I'm considering buying a book on the Snåsa Man. Dilemma is, while I want to be open-minded, I also don't feel very keen about supporting the psychic movement, even by just buying a single book. Still leaning towards purchasing the title, but I'd like your input. Have any of you been in similar situations?

[Fnord]

Advice: Wait for it to show up at a used-book store, a garage sale, or some other second-hand outlet.

Reason: I would not want to use my money to increase the wealth of a scam artist. Once the book has been given away by the original purchaser (or sold at a loss), the author receives no further income from its sale.

[Brattus]

"see the other side"? The other side of what?

[LibraryLady]

Can you get it through your library? Even through Interlibrary Loan?

[blutoski]

OK, so in an effort to "see the other side", I'm considering buying a book on the Snåsa Man. Dilemma is, while I want to be open-minded, I also don't feel very keen about supporting the psychic movement, even by just buying a single book. Still leaning towards purchasing the title, but I'd like your input. Have any of you been in similar situations?

I have a relatively extensive library of books related to skepticism. This includes books advocating non-skeptical views.

My feeling is that while, yes, it sticks in my craw to buy a book by Sylvia Browne or John of God, that I benefit from having them available as a reference for discussions with their followers.

The other poster's advice to buy used whenever possible is very sound, as the author has already received a royalty, so all of your money from the purchase of a used book is going to the local merchant.

Socrates trained his people to argue both sides of a debate. Not because he wanted the students to suspend their opinions, but because he thought that understanding the opponent made a debater better at presenting his case.

[leafman91]

If you can pay for the book without breaking a note higher than a 20, then yes.

[Profwag]

I tend to agree with blutoski. My personal belief is that in drawing a conclusion about a subject, one must have knowledge of both (or all) sides of a subject, hence, reading information from the opposite side of an issue than what you normally believe is healthy knowledge, even if you don't agree with it.

I even visited a psychic for this same reason (though I was sandblasted on this forum for doing so... :-) )

I like the idea of attempting to purchase a book second hand, but if it's a relatively new book, that may be harder to do than it sounds.

[IMST]

Can you get it through your library? Even through Interlibrary Loan?

Seconding what LibraryLady said. I prefer to avoid adding to the sales of such books.

[Safe-Keeper]

Hmmm, yes, a library is probably a good bet. Dunno why I didn't think of that. Thanks for the advice.

[Chris H]

Have you tried ebay yet?

[Hound01]

OK, so in an effort to "see the other side", I'm considering buying a book on the Snåsa Man. Dilemma is, while I want to be open-minded, I also don't feel very keen about supporting the psychic movement, even by just buying a single book. Still leaning towards purchasing the title, but I'd like your input. Have any of you been in similar situations?
I reckon that if you want to buy it then do so. You know it is nonsense but if you find it enjoyable nonsense then why not? The psychic industry provides a product just like any other industry. At least you will be buying it with your eyes wide open which is not true for most of their customers.

[Ernie M]

Try contacting the author/publisher.

Tell them you are interested in a complimentary copy in which to write a truthful and accurate book review.

Ha ha! Just wanted to see if you'd do it. And if they'd do it.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Wait for it to be remaindered. I got my copy of Dianetics - What a Loonie Fantasizes for 25 cents that way. The "Church" got nothing from the transaction. :D