Oprah Winfrey, "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction"

[EGarrett]

Can we all...please...collectively urinate-on/mock/denounce this pile of garbage?

I mean...I know people are dumb and prone to wishful thinking, but at least in the past I could delude myself into believing most delusions survived because they had been around for a long time, leading people to think they had to have some validity.

Then this arrives.

A completely new and senseless load of ******** that wastes everyone's time and deludes people by the thousands...and everyone is buying into it. It makes me angry enough to slap them.

[JoeEllison]

Count me in!

[EGarrett]

How could people POSSIBLY believe something so stupid? This goes beyond typical common sense. It makes me doubt my basic faith in the public to have SOME level of reasoning ability.

[yairhol]

Can we all...please...collectively urinate-on/mock/denounce this pile of garbage?
Haven't we already?
I remember this was brought up a couple of months ago.
In any case, I'm all out of urine after urinating-on/mocking/denouncing the "yellow bamboo" videos.
I'll see if I have a few drops left to help out.:D

Regards,
Yair

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

EGarrett: Sure, it quickly came- it'll quickly leave! As a matter of fact, I think it's half-forgotten already!

[Zep]

It's been around many times before under a whole lot of names, and no doubt will be around again in the future under another name or two.

Save your urine for something worthwhile. Tomato plants!

[Apathia]

Yup, already raged against it in previous threads. It's just a yawn now.

[osmosis]

ugh.. I'd been chatting with this very attractive older woman; first online, then on the phone, I was totally ready to meet her in person. It seemed like she was really a special lady and we had really clicked, until she dropped the bomb..

There's this movie she's really into called..

.. you guessed it.

I was so repulsed I cancelled our first date and haven't spoken to her since!

[yairhol]

good for you osmosis

[Apathia]

You have spared yourself great agony, Osmosis.

[a.real.girl]

Rebecca and Noblecaboose both gave Oprah what for about this a few months back. Was that here or over at Skepchick.org?

Either way, I just figure all those folks who buy this bs now have a bookend to go with The Celestine Prophecy.

-A

[godless dave]

It makes me doubt my basic faith in the public to have SOME level of reasoning ability.

Good. When you lose that faith completely you'll be on the right track.

[clerihew80]

You people are all just negative thinkers. Negative things will come to you as a result.

[yairhol]

You people are all just negative thinkers. Negative things will come to you as a result.
Yeah, I got married.
Isn't that enough negativity for a life time?

Regards,
Yair

[JoeEllison]

You people are all just negative thinkers. Negative things will come to you as a result.
When is that going to happen? Am I going to accidentally cut myself on my new $250 Benchmade pocket knife? Will I be deafened by my new guitar amplifier? Is my new house going to explode because I don't buy into woo stupidity? Good things happen to people who work hard. Bad things happen to everyone, regardless of their attitude. Being defrauded out of book and DVD money happens to people who have a hard time telling fantasy from reality. :p

[sophia8]

To illustrate the abysmally stupid thinking of Secretoids, look no further than this thread (http://thesecret.powerfulintentions.com/forum/thesecret/message-view/22750069) on the Powerful Intentions forum.Let me just state with a dismissed bankruptcy,car repossesion,no money,"bad" credit,I walked out of a Kia dealership today with the keys to a brand new 2007 Kia Optima Sedan Car!

THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU!

Never,Ever... Think I Can't!!!!!!!

You Can Have,Do,Be Anything!!!!!!!!

Look Out World,Here I Come Manifesting More!

And Hopefully,Here All Of you Come With Me Manifesting Your Dreams!
Further down the thread, it emerges that the poster's bank apparently made an error in the first place and she didn't owe anything and has a clean credit record (or at least that's what her rather garbled story appears to be).
So what actually happened was that she got herself a $23,000 car on credit - something that anybody with a good credit record can do. Nobody gave her the car, she didn't get any extra money, she's spending her own money.
But all of her fellow Secretoids greet it as definite proof of the Law of Attraction!

I wonder if she'll post about it when the car gets repossessed?

[EGarrett]

Good. When you lose that faith completely you'll be on the right track.I shouldn't have referred to it as 'faith.' It's actually a belief based on evidence that people all seem to have a functioning brain in their heads. A belief misplaced, but a belief that is/was based on something.

[Father Dagon]

Links, please. I'm swedish.

[EGarrett]

To illustrate the abysmally stupid thinking of Secretoids, look no further than this thread (http://thesecret.powerfulintentions.com/forum/thesecret/message-view/22750069) on the Powerful Intentions forum.
Further down the thread, it emerges that the poster's bank apparently made an error in the first place and she didn't owe anything and has a clean credit record (or at least that's what her rather garbled story appears to be).
So what actually happened was that she got herself a $23,000 car on credit - something that anybody with a good credit record can do. Nobody gave her the car, she didn't get any extra money, she's spending her own money.
But all of her fellow Secretoids greet it as definite proof of the Law of Attraction!

I wonder if she'll post about it when the car gets repossessed?Disturbing. Thank you.

I'm going to keep looking through those forums to see if they actually post the numerous times they must "think really hard" about something and then nothing happens.

[EGarrett]

Links, please. I'm swedish.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_(2006_film)

[Overman]

Yup, already raged against it in previous threads. It's just a yawn now.

This post sums up the internet more than any post I have ever read anywhere!

[JonWhite]

EGarrett: Sure, it quickly came- it'll quickly leave! As a matter of fact, I think it's half-forgotten already!

If only that were so. I have already wasted for more energy on this crap than it ever deserves over at another private forum. Certain elements there haven't just fallen for this juvenile, wishful thinking fantasy themselves but actually promote it to their clients as a perfectly good tool for positive thinking!

No matter how much I ask for it to (sexually descriptive expletive) off or firmly believe that it ultimately will, the universe just won't manifest it's disappearance for me. :mad:

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

I'm sorry to hear that but how much more of a shelf life could it possibly have? Another year or two at most is my guess. Like any other fad, it'll fade away quickly enough on its own.

Hasn't been around a long time- won't be around much longer.

[Victor Meldrew]

If only that were so. I have already wasted for more energy on this crap than it ever deserves over at another private forum. Certain elements there haven't just fallen for this juvenile, wishful thinking fantasy themselves but actually promote it to their clients as a perfectly good tool for positive thinking!

No matter how much I ask for it to (sexually descriptive expletive) off or firmly believe that it ultimately will, the universe just won't manifest it's disappearance for me. :mad:

Positive thinking is great.....coupled with a big, healthy dose of REALISM.

There was a thread about the Secret here on the randi forums about a month ago - a few of us 'infiltrated' the Powerful Intentions forum (where they all believe in it) to try and bring some sense to them. It was like banging your head against a brick wall. Anyway, we had some fun, and some shocks too -

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=86980

[JonWhite]

Positive thinking is great.....coupled with a big, healthy dose of REALISM.

Yeah, exactly. It's the abject lack of realism involved that bothers me.

These people are acting as therapists for Dog's sake!

[Moochie]

How could people POSSIBLY believe something so stupid? This goes beyond typical common sense. It makes me doubt my basic faith in the public to have SOME level of reasoning ability.

I've known for a very long time that the world of humans is steeped in woo. That's why there need to be hundreds of thousands of JREFs, and millions of JREFers.

The fact that an Australian concocted this heap of garbage embarrasses me.

M.

[Moochie]

It's been around many times before under a whole lot of names, and no doubt will be around again in the future under another name or two.

Save your urine for something worthwhile. Tomato plants!

Several friends and relatives have suggested I urinate on citrus plants. Is there anything to it?

M.

[Moochie]

When is that going to happen? Am I going to accidentally cut myself on my new $250 Benchmade pocket knife? Will I be deafened by my new guitar amplifier? Is my new house going to explode because I don't buy into woo stupidity? Good things happen to people who work hard. Bad things happen to everyone, regardless of their attitude. Being defrauded out of book and DVD money happens to people who have a hard time telling fantasy from reality. :p

I visualized millions and won AUD$8.50 in the lottery last week Thursday. :(

M.

[Victor Meldrew]

I visualized millions and won AUD$8.50 in the lottery last week Thursday. :(

M.

They take that as proof that the 'law of attraction' works on the Powerful Intentions forum.....really.

[Moochie]

They take that as proof that the 'law of attraction' works on the Powerful Intentions forum.....really.

I know. And their success is about as potent as mine.

Heck, I always visualize millions before a lottery is drawn. Been doing it for decades. I think it's called "wishful thinking." :D

M.

[Victor Meldrew]

I know. And their success is about as potent as mine.

Heck, I always visualize millions before a lottery is drawn. Been doing it for decades. I think it's called "wishful thinking." :D

M.

'Wishful thinking''....what a POWERFUL idea....almost as good as the 'law of attraction'!

But....but.....seriously, stay with me here.....perhaps you could write a book about it ('The REAL Secret' perhaps?!) and have a few woo-woo's talking about it (using real pseudoscience, of course) on video - then you would make a million and - hey presto - your 'Wishful Thinking' money making system works!

[DMG]

The Secret - Ramtha - Avatar - What the Bleep do We KNow...

Its all the same goofy crap as far as I can tell...

[Moochie]

'Wishful thinking''....what a POWERFUL idea....almost as good as the 'law of attraction'!

But....but.....seriously, stay with me here.....perhaps you could write a book about it ('The REAL Secret' perhaps?!) and have a few woo-woo's talking about it (using real pseudoscience, of course) on video - then you would make a million and - hey presto - your 'Wishful Thinking' money making system works!

Don't worry, I have thought about it. And thought about it. And as the various potential scenarios play out in my mind, I fall about laughing.

That's my problem. I can't keep a straight face.

M.

[ponderingturtle]

What I think is the most insidius and sociopathic part of this belief is that you deserve everything bad that happens to you because you wanted it to happen. It is the ultimate blame the victim belief.

[Hindmost]

Of course what we really need is for Oprah to become a skeptic and indicate she was really wrong about the whole secret and various other witch-wiggler attitudes...I am expecting just that to happen right after Paris Hilton wins the Nobel Prize.

glenn

[777]

Man. Now some of the secretoids I deal with daily are trying to get rid of me by ignoring me. By dealing with them I got a hang of their ideas, they are probably trying to manifest by disappearance by acting as if I already did disappear. What should I do?

[Axiom_Blade]

What I think is the most insidius and sociopathic part of this belief is that you deserve everything bad that happens to you because you wanted it to happen. It is the ultimate blame the victim belief.

I think if I believed in "the secret" I would go crazy pretty quickly.
Just imagine...anything that goes wrong is all your fault. Anything.
You'd be constantly beating yourself up about your "bad thoughts."

Oh, and don't think about cancer, or auto accidents, or...or.. Because that is exactly what will manifest!
This is like telling somebody "Whatever you do, for God's sake, don't think about pink elephants!"
I would just wind up driving myself neurotic by trying to prevent thoughts about disease or accidents. This must be how most of the Secret-believers end up. I don't see much other way.

On the other hand, if you get stuck in a conversation with one of these losers, you can get rid of them easy by asking, "Do you ever worry about getting a brain aneurysm? Or getting hit by a car?"
Then they would turn pale and run off with their fingers in their ears going "LALALALALALALA"

Evil?

[Axiom_Blade]

Man. Now some of the secretoids I deal with daily are trying to get rid of me by ignoring me. By dealing with them I got a hang of their ideas, they are probably trying to manifest by disappearance by acting as if I already did disappear. What should I do?

Make their wish come true and avoid them. Find some companions who think.

[osmosis]

Man. Now some of the secretoids I deal with daily are trying to get rid of me by ignoring me. By dealing with them I got a hang of their ideas, they are probably trying to manifest by disappearance by acting as if I already did disappear. What should I do?

What should you do..? PRAISE ALLAH!

Seriously though, according to The Secret, one must shun those who do not think according to The Secret. It's a typical cult isolation tactic, divides the world into believers and everyone else.

[-Fran-]

Yeah, I got married.
Isn't that enough negativity for a life time?

Regards,
Yair

Then get a divorce for goodness sake :rolleyes:

[yairhol]

Then get a divorce for goodness sake :rolleyes:

Thanks for the suggestion but I was only kidding...:p
I would never get a divorce from my beautiful, smart, exciting wife.

But if I ever get into marriage problems, this is the forum to come to for support, I'm sure. :D

Regards,
Yair

[-Fran-]

Thanks for the suggestion but I was only kidding...:p

:eye-poppi It was a *gasp* joke?? Whowuddathought :boggled: ;)


I would never get a divorce from my beautiful, smart, exciting wife.


Maybe she will divorce you if she finds out you are making jokes at her expense behind her back? ;)

[yairhol]

Maybe she will divorce you if she finds out you are making jokes at her expense behind her back? :wink:
My beautiful, smart, exciting (in no particular order) wife would never divorce me for that. For not cleaning the house - sure, for not liking her friends - you betcha, for not coming to visit her parents - of course, but for making jokes of our marriage on the internet - not likely. :duck:

Regards,
Yair

[Victor Meldrew]

Joe Vitale discusses the 'real' reason behind the fires in California....yes, you've guessed it!
http://blog.mrfire.com/secret/san-diego-fires/

San Diego Fires (http://blog.mrfire.com/secret/san-diego-fires/)


By Dr. Joe Vitale - October 26th, 2007
It’s interesting to me that 45 homes burned near the home of John Assaraf but his is safe.
Same with the home and office of James Ray.
Same with the manager of Lisa Nichols.
Instead of wondering why they attracted a fire, it might be wiser to wonder how they didn’t attract a fire.
I’ve spent the last day or so with Lisa Nichols and John Assaraf. They are not focused on fires. They are focused on the fire in their soul.
They spend their time working, making a difference, writing, speaking, and changing lives.
Take note.
Ao Akua,
Joe
www.mrfire.com (http://www.mrfire.com/)
PS — I also spent time with Dr. John Demartini. We go back more than 20 years. He, too, lives his life like a mission, filled with passion and purpose. Fires don’t stop people like this.


Posted by Joe Vitale |
Stinkin' thinkin' Joe!

Perhaps you would like to add a comment or two to his blog?

[Whack01]

Wow, the responses to their advice on relationships are just plain scary.

Attracting a specific person (http://thesecret.powerfulintentions.com/forum/thesecret/message-view/16103699)

"...My ex broke up with me saying that he needed some time to tie up some loose ends with his PhD and he also said he didn't know if we'd ever have a chance again because we're long distance. However, over the last month I have become incredibly grateful for this opportunity that he gave me. It has given me the time I didn't realize I needed so badly, and I know now that he had more insight into the upcoming months than I did at the time. It has provided me more growth and I understand just how wonderful our relationship actually is. I don't NEED him, I just want to share every moment I can with him. All I NEED is myself, and I LOVE myself. It's been so awesome to realize how much I truly do love myself..."


/ DO NOT WANT
// there's lots more where that came from

[Victor Meldrew]

Wow, the responses to their advice on relationships are just plain scary.

Attracting a specific person (http://thesecret.powerfulintentions.com/forum/thesecret/message-view/16103699)

"...My ex broke up with me saying that he needed some time to tie up some loose ends with his PhD and he also said he didn't know if we'd ever have a chance again because we're long distance. However, over the last month I have become incredibly grateful for this opportunity that he gave me. It has given me the time I didn't realize I needed so badly, and I know now that he had more insight into the upcoming months than I did at the time. It has provided me more growth and I understand just how wonderful our relationship actually is. I don't NEED him, I just want to share every moment I can with him. All I NEED is myself, and I LOVE myself. It's been so awesome to realize how much I truly do love myself..."


/ DO NOT WANT
// there's lots more where that came from

I have been banned from the forum, several times, for pointing out the bleedin' obvious - eg it doesn't work!

Just gone on to read another one - a guy who is trying to attract/manifest " a Hair cutting job, a Nintendo Wii, the Girl of my Dreams, and other things. I have done EFT to help me also. So far, as I can consciously see, I still haven't attracted a thing."

I dunno, perhaps it's me. But wouldn't he be far better getting off his backside and GOING OUT AND GETTING these things, rather than wishing? But then I guess that is too much like hard work.