What the bleep redux

[hgc]

Went to the movies the other night. Saw a preview for "What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole". Yes, it's utter crap: the sequel.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0499596/

[Jorghnassen]

They made a sequel? That's possibly as dumb as making that D&D movie made-for-TV sequel I haven't seen...

[c4ts]

"Down the Rabbit Hole?" So that's where all the intelligent thought from the last movie went! Oh wait, "Rabbit" doesn't accurately describe the kind of hole it is...

[Almo]

****. Not more crap. :(

ETA: Oops... sorry. Glad the filter caught it.

[drfrank]

I hope there's more Ramtha this time - JZ's absolutely hilarious with her bizarre fake English/Dutch accent.

My friend actually had some of the free Ramtha literature sent to her, including a DVD (she's a religious studies student, and laughing at cults is a bit of a hobby). The DVD was fantastic: consciousness and energy create reality, apparently (a catchphrase that's repeated ad nauseum).

There were also claims that he/she could teach you blind archery and telepathy in 7 days. Blind archery is fair enough, as she never claims to be able to teach you to hit things, although I saw no evidence of telepathy, you'll be shocked to hear.

[Mercutio]

I finally saw this a couple of days ago on cable...wow. Incredibly bad. How did this movie get any buzz at all? Bad script, bad acting, bad "experts"...it was the movie version of Iacchus's own forum. Bad.

Did I mention bad?

[stup_id]

.it was the movie version of Iacchus's own forum. Bad.

Did I mention bad?

:dl:

[aggle-rithm]

....How did this movie get any buzz at all?...

Uh-oh.

I hope they haven't hired Scientology's publicity firm.

[Kiless]

(*&^(&^%*^$%^^%$#*&&)* teacher at my workplace thinks it would be 'excellent' for the new philosophy course *&@^#*&#^$*&#$#@*.....

[Hellbound]

consciousness and energy create reality, apparently (a catchphrase that's repeated ad nauseum).
Isn't this a bit redundant? Either that or self-contradictory.

Energy is, by definition, a part of reality. So, if consciousness and enenrgy create reality, yet energy is part of reality, then reality could never have been created in the first place.

On the other hand, if consciousness can create energy, then the phrase is overly redundant. Like saying "flour, water and dough make a loaf of bread".

[drfrank]

Isn't this a bit redundant? Either that or self-contradictory.

Energy is, by definition, a part of reality. So, if consciousness and enenrgy create reality, yet energy is part of reality, then reality could never have been created in the first place.

On the other hand, if consciousness can create energy, then the phrase is overly redundant. Like saying "flour, water and dough make a loaf of bread".

lol I wasn't claiming that it made any sense ;) They probably mean magical mystical energy, though, not plain old E=mc^2 energy - that's just too dull.

[strathmeyer]

Went to the movies the other night. Saw a preview for "What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole". Yes, it's utter crap: the sequel.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0499596/

How the heck does it have a 7.3 rating?

[Serenity]

I intentionally missed the first movie. Please tell me Ramtha doesn't make another appearance. Be afraid, be very afraid: http://www.ramtha.com/

>> Added: Moby Should sue! A song I like very much, sullied.

[brodski]

(*&^(&^%*^$%^^%$#*&&)* teacher at my workplace thinks it would be 'excellent' for the new philosophy course *&@^#*&#^$*&#$#@*..... (*&@^#*&#^$*&#$#@*.....)
#
Fallacies and lies- 101?

[Mercutio]

(*&^(&^%*^$%^^%$#*&&)* teacher at my workplace thinks it would be 'excellent' for the new philosophy course *&@^#*&#^$*&#$#@*.....
Show him/her Shermer's introduction from the first day of the mind, brain, consciousness seminar. He specifically talks about "what the bleep" as a sort of impetus for the conference itself--sort of an "I wonder what it would be like to ask the people who actually research this stuff?" moment. Maybe then s/he will at least balance the movie with Blackmore's book...

[Beth]

Isn't this a bit redundant? Either that or self-contradictory.

Energy is, by definition, a part of reality. So, if consciousness and enenrgy create reality, yet energy is part of reality, then reality could never have been created in the first place.

On the other hand, if consciousness can create energy, then the phrase is overly redundant. Like saying "flour, water and dough make a loaf of bread".

My take on the phrase "consciousness and energy create reality" is that consciousness can be used to direct energy can shape the form reality takes. That actually makes sense and doesn't have to be (though it usually is) interpreted in a paranormal way. For example, with consciousness, I can direct the energy in my body to type these words and hit the send key, thus making the thoughts I have express now a permanent part of the reality I live in.

The question then becomes, how much of reality can we shape in this manner and how much energy will it take to accomplish our goals? Our thoughts direct our actions (which also require energy) and our actions do affect reality. Unfortunately, I don't think that daydreaming about winning the lottery wil actually impact the numbers chosen.

[Euromutt]

How the heck does it have a 7.3 rating?
Possibly because the majority of people who feel confident about rating it before they've even seen it (since if I understand correctly, it's not even been released yet) are those of a woo-ish bent? It stands to reason that anyone who can fairly call himself a skeptic isn't going to commit to an opinion unless and until he's actually seen the flick.

[Luke T.]

I finally saw this a couple of days ago on cable...wow. Incredibly bad. How did this movie get any buzz at all? Bad script, bad acting, bad "experts"...it was the movie version of Iacchus's own forum. Bad.

Did I mention bad?

Yeah, I finally saw it, too. On cable. Saying it was bad is being kind.

I had to keep walking away and coming back after I calmed down. It only got to me like that because a dear friend of ours is heavily into this movie and the crap behind it. The same one who is into homeopathy, reiki, Kevin Trudeau, and every other whackjob out there. She's getting worse as time passes.

And when Ramtha is telling you in the movie that we are all god, she means SHE is God.

Also, "probabilities" DOES NOT EQUAL "possibilities" that you can make happen by thinking about them. An incredible abuse of the Copenhagen Interpretation.

Farging idiot a-hole mofos.

[Jimbo07]

Energy is, by definition, a part of reality. So, if consciousness and enenrgy create reality, yet energy is part of reality, then reality could never have been created in the first place.


Not to the mystic. "Energy" is probably imagined as some sort of vital force. Maybe it's imagined as something like the Force in Star Wars. That is you can get lightning or physical impulses by channeling invisible 'energy.' So Huntsman, never you mind that any useful concept of energy is fully defined and encompassed by physics.

A story that is sympathetic to the woo-woos:

When I was a young lad many moons ago, an older friend of mine was just starting his engineering education. I, being an ignorant fan of science fiction asked, "What is energy, as in, 'the two starships traded deadly energy beams'? (popular in sf books at the time)" He was all engineer-like and tried to explain potentials, work/energy, force times distance, etc. I didn't understand. He was talking about balls on hills and I wanted to know what deadly energy beams were! He became flumoxed at me and couldn't understand why I wasn't understanding. The discussion broke down and ended, both of us thoroughly unhappy. Now, near the end of my own engineering education I understand two things:
i) 'deadly energy beams' are usually the creative product of artistic minds
ii) Energy is a definition (shared with work, in SI, 1 J = 1 Nm). End of story. Conversions abound (eg. consider mechanical equivalent of heat), but in the end, energy is a definition (an observable in mathematical notations). E=mc^2 is dependent on a physical definition.

I didn't understand. Chances are that many woos don't understand. It's... understandable... :o

[ChristineR]

Possibly because the majority of people who feel confident about rating it before they've even seen it (since if I understand correctly, it's not even been released yet) are those of a woo-ish bent? It stands to reason that anyone who can fairly call himself a skeptic isn't going to commit to an opinion unless and until he's actually seen the flick.

I think they're talking about the first one. It got good reviews, and it sounded interesting...until I read that it was mostly an interview with a "channeled being." I can't believe anyone would take such a thing seriously.

[drfrank]

I think they're talking about the first one. It got good reviews, and it sounded interesting...until I read that it was mostly an interview with a "channeled being." I can't believe anyone would take such a thing seriously.

If you'd heard the voice of `Ramtha' you'd be even more amazed, I guarantee it ;)

[Reilynn]

I remember going to see the original at the Baghdad Theater and Pub where part of it was filmed, (but I did not know that before I went). It was kind of unnerving seeing the theater that you were in on the screen.

I remember walking out wondering if I should have had less beer, or a lot more. I still had an interesting conversation after about how our expectations affect our perceptions.

And as ...

Show him/her Shermer's introduction from the first day of the mind, brain, consciousness seminar. He specifically talks about "what the bleep" as a sort of impetus for the conference itself--sort of an "I wonder what it would be like to ask the people who actually research this stuff?" moment. Maybe then s/he will at least balance the movie with Blackmore's book...

... shows it can be inspirational.

And you must admit, the title fits.


btw: I know that I have a really weird sense of humor. If you would like me to be quiet, just let me know.

[Luke T.]

I remember going to see the original at the Baghdad Theater and Pub where part of it was filmed, (but I did not know that before I went). It was kind of unnerving seeing the theater that you were in on the screen.

I know what you mean. The part about emotions affecting water was filmed in a subway station I use regularly.

[Jimbo07]

I know what you mean. The part about emotions affecting water was filmed in a subway station I use regularly.

What were those photos, snowflakes? I missed that bit...

[Luke T.]

What were those photos, snowflakes? I missed that bit...

Crystals which formed in frozen water (ice) when exposed to various emotions. Based on this jackass's work (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582701148/104-7594434-0193501?v=glance&n=283155).

[Psiload]

What were those photos, snowflakes? I missed that bit...

http://www.randi.org/jr/052303.html

Scroll down to the second topic.

Or better yet... don't.

That way be serious woowery.

[gnome]

I would define a sci-fi energy beam by talking about lasers and coherent light... that brings me back, I remember reading the March 1984 edition of "National Geographic" thoroughly... they devoted that issue to lasers and holograms. It's the one with the hologram eagle on the cover. (which kept getting snipped and stolen by fellow students). It's probably where I learned most of what I know about them.

[c4ts]

Kids, energy beams are made of Jesus and they only burn holes in homosexual space ships.

[Belz...]

I finally saw this a couple of days ago on cable...wow. Incredibly bad. How did this movie get any buzz at all? Bad script, bad acting, bad "experts"...it was the movie version of Iacchus's own forum. Bad.

Did I mention bad?

That was so gratuitious. I'm proud of you.

[Mercutio]

That was so gratuitious. I'm proud of you.
It was not gratuitous, actually. Some of the dialogue in the movie (specifically by the guy who is identified as a chiropractor in the credits) was uncannily iacchian. I actually thought that my description might give anyone who has followed his posts, but not seen the movie, a taste of what it might be like. (a taste a bit like bile...)

[Almo]

...that brings me back, I remember reading the March 1984 edition of "National Geographic" thoroughly... they devoted that issue to lasers and holograms. It's the one with the hologram eagle on the cover. (which kept getting snipped and stolen by fellow students).

THAT brings back bad memories for me. I read that one from the table at my othodontist's back in high school! One of the people who worked there was seriously grossed out by spit. You could see it on her face as she worked on you.