Home | Community | Message Board

Cannabis Seeds Zamnesia
This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   North Spore North Spore Mushroom Grow Kits & Cultivation Supplies   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order   PhytoExtractum Maeng Da Thai Kratom Leaf Powder   Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1
InvisibleOrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,441
Loc: Under the C
Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking!
    #8123961 - 03/09/08 04:46 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

Mr. Sam Opuku, an applicant for the JREF prize, had the chance to ponder further on the matter, on the JREF and its employees, and on his real reasons for believing he had supernatural powers that could capture the prize. After his epiphany, he agreed to prepare the following document for use here on SWIFT:

In Pursuit of the James Randi Educational Foundation Million Dollar Challenge

Many who profess psychic or other powers say they've felt that they were “special” since childhood. I also thought I had a “sense” of how those sorts of things worked. I would find out that my childhood imaginations had carried themselves into adulthood and that I started to value the illusions as part of how I saw reality and myself. Once I realized this, I was able to start letting them go and see things more as they are. These revelations came through my pursuit of the JREF Challenge, an experience for which I am incredibly grateful. I learned about myself, how I was seeing things, and got started on a “rehab” for my incorrect perceptions.

Although I’d looked into many different “metaphysical” things before I started after the JREF Challenge, I'd never done it with any focus, I never had a purpose for it. This allowed me to look at things in ways that confirmed my beliefs and to ignore those things that were in opposition. If something didn't work as advertised, it was a minor footnote or user error; if it did, it was a big discovery. Of course any explanation of a successful result outside the metaphysical was unheard of. I had a blind spot that meant reason and metaphysics would never meet in my head, even worse I didn't know I had one. However, a showdown between reason and metaphysics would happen with the JREF Challenge.

I don't remember exactly how I became aware of the challenge, only that once I did I thought it'd be easy. I allowed myself excuses for the challenge going unanswered for so long. I thought with all the psychics and mystics out there who made books, videos, or audio courses, and had financial success, something had to work. I saw things work, so why had no one ever succeeded? I created all sorts of theories as to why the Challenge persisted:

• JREF was unreasonable about the test to make sure it failed

• JREF was being deceitful in some way or rude to discourage valid claimants and only allowed sure failures to apply

• “Other people” didn't know what they were doing (of course I would...)

…and so the list goes on. I thought of more excuses than I can list in anything less than an encyclopedia-sized volume of text.

No matter what the reasons were, I committed myself to overcome all roadblocks and either succeed or prove JREF fraudulent. This attitude persisted until I met that insurmountable roadblock to the challenge called REALITY.

Once I'd decided to pursue the prize I set about investigation and research into the challenge itself. I joined the JREF forum to get a look inside, username “Mente” – if you're curious, I never posted, just lurked and gathered intel. I'm a Mensan, so I was able to join the Mensan group for parapsychology where I met a few others who'd pursued the Challenge and confirmed my theory that JREF was unreasonable and intentionally difficult. I searched online and found a few who tried to answer the challenge and blogged about it. I listened to all the Randi lectures I could find. I watched video of him debunking Lydick and others. I read his biography and the history of the Challenge. While I was doing this investigation I was working on a paranormal device I came up with in college based on several other devices I'd observed in books or other places. After some testing at home to come up with the sort of experimental terms I'd agree to, I filled out an application, got it notarized, and sent it in. This brought me into contact with Jeff Wagg, who turned out to be the first step in my re-examining what I believed.

I was prepared for rudeness, to be ignored, to be deceived, or even insulted but Jeff was exactly the opposite. At worst Jeff was strictly polite but most of the time he was cordial or outright friendly. I even shared a joke with him via email during our correspondence as we worked out what the test would be. We got to a point where it would be up to Randi himself to accept the terms. At some point Jeff put my name in as someone who could potentially be tested on Japanese TV. Being unable to settle testing criteria on TV with Randi, it never happened, but the TV crew did come to my apartment to film me and my device for footage later. They even paid me for my time and trouble. After that experience, I decided that one of my other theories was right: JREF was a bit too stringent. Despite that validation, I was left with an experience that was in opposition to something else I thought about JREF. It was the first contradiction I acknowledged, everyone I interacted with was absolutely reasonable. I could not find fault with any part of their professionalism. This was disconcerting as it upset my earlier perceptions. Always on the look out for information I asked the film crew from Japan about James Randi and they spoke of him as a nice, kind person.

Despite this information, by now I not only wanted to answer the challenge for the money and fame, but also to validate what I believed about myself. Reality was less important to me at that point than what I wanted to believe.

Not to be stopped in the action I’d committed to, I decided I would pursue the challenge through affiliates of JREF. I started to speak to affiliates of JREF, if I had a success with one of them it was agreed they'd work with JREF to get a formal test. I started to seek advocates, like college professors, who could vouch for the validity of my claim. At some point, an I'm not sure what it was but the evidence against my claim reached a threshold where I was forced to reexamine everything and stop pursuing the prize altogether.

I mulled over all the strange questions I found through the whole process:

• If JREF was so unreasonable how could it be filled with professionalism and reasonable people?

• If my claim was so valid why did my criteria have to be so specific? (Maybe I was the one who was being too strict?)

• If it was that easy to come up with a claim and JREF couldn't be blamed, why was the Challenge unanswered?

• Why didn't any of the professional psychics seek the easy money?

…and on and on and on...

One easy answer to all the questions and more: I was wrong.

A very tough pill to swallow. Once I fully admitted it to myself, I devoted the same determination I used to pursue the JREF Challenge to finding out why. I researched “psychics” and “mystics,” especially the "greats" like Geller, I learned a few magician’s tricks and how to make tricks, I looked into scams of all sorts and the psychology of how you are fooled and how you fool yourself, all of which was VERY educational. This knowledge in hand, I looked at everything surrounding my claim and the prize, again.

If I was someone else looking at what I did, I would have been amused. The JREF Challenge has helped me realize limitations in thinking I didn't know I had. In one sense, the challenge has served as an incredible educational tool. I was sorry to hear the challenge is expiring. I've been honored to have been educated by it and JREF as a whole. I'm not completely purged of spurious beliefs/perspective but I am on the road to recovery.

To the Amazing James Randi, Jeff Wagg, and all of JREF –

Thank you.

Sam Opuku


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisibleredgreenvines
irregular verb
 User Gallery

Registered: 04/08/04
Posts: 38,061
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8124098 - 03/09/08 05:24 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

what drivel people write - they get so involved in crap
and then get so involved in their involvement with crap.
I think I'm gonna sue for inconstancy,
for lack of sticktoitiveness


--------------------
:confused: _ :brainfart:🧠  _ :finger:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleOrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,441
Loc: Under the C
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: redgreenvines]
    #8124144 - 03/09/08 05:33 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

Perhaps you should write a course on drivel-free writing.

Why are you anti-Teflon?


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleEternalCowabunga
Being of Great Significance
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/04/05
Posts: 7,152
Loc: Time and Space
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8124176 - 03/09/08 05:42 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

Cool post


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisibleredgreenvines
irregular verb
 User Gallery

Registered: 04/08/04
Posts: 38,061
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8124312 - 03/09/08 06:13 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

teflon is great for cooking
that guy is so half baked
please put him back in a teflon pan and leave it on 350
call me in the morning


--------------------
:confused: _ :brainfart:🧠  _ :finger:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleMoonshoe
Blue Mantis
 User Gallery

Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8125679 - 03/09/08 10:48 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

Psychic:
- sensitive to influences or forces of a nonphysical or supernatural nature.
-a person who is allegedly sensitive to psychic influences or forces; a medium.

Mystic:
-a person who claims to attain, or believes in the possibility of attaining, insight into mysteries transcending ordinary human knowledge, as by direct communication with the divine or immediate intuition in a state of spiritual ecstasy.


--------------------


Everything I post is fiction.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleOrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,441
Loc: Under the C
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: Moonshoe]
    #8125779 - 03/09/08 11:17 PM (16 years, 22 days ago)

Thank you for addressing the main point of the article.

I knew the fluffheads would avoid discussing this thread like the plague. Anything to hold on to fantasy.

Keep the blinders on as long as you can.


--------------------

Edited by OrgoneConclusion (03/10/08 10:41 AM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleCameron
Too Many Words
Male User Gallery


Registered: 10/31/07
Posts: 4,437
Loc: Canada
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8126133 - 03/10/08 01:43 AM (16 years, 22 days ago)

This guy sounds a lot like what my little brother may grow up to be. I need to warn him! :eek:

Too bad the challenge has expired...

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMokshaIs
everywhereeverpresent


Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 476
Last seen: 6 years, 9 months
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8126342 - 03/10/08 02:59 AM (16 years, 22 days ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:

I knew the fluffheads would avoid discussing this thread like the plague. Anything to hold on to fantasy.

Keep the blinders on as long as you can.




what is not fantasy? :peace:


--------------------
in all of Infinite
there is but One
and it is nOne
ever and always
in every and all ways

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleMoonshoe
Blue Mantis
 User Gallery

Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8126672 - 03/10/08 08:08 AM (16 years, 21 days ago)

I thought that it could be helpful to define your terms. What else would you like me to respond to, exactly?

Do you have a question, or are you just whining because your post isn't garnering enough attention?

Perhaps it would help to define what you are suggesting or what you got out of this story you quoted.

PS. If you are suggesting that I am a "fluffhead" i would be interested in knowing exactly what you mean, and why you think that.





--------------------


Everything I post is fiction.

Edited by Moonshoe (03/10/08 08:28 AM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleOrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,441
Loc: Under the C
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: Moonshoe]
    #8126958 - 03/10/08 10:45 AM (16 years, 21 days ago)

His letter is self explanatory. More words will not make it any clearer.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleDiploidM
Cuban


Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 19,274
Loc: Rabbit Hole
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: Cameron]
    #8127502 - 03/10/08 01:33 PM (16 years, 21 days ago)

Too bad the challenge has expired...

What, fifty years wasn't long enough for everyone to apply?


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleCameron
Too Many Words
Male User Gallery


Registered: 10/31/07
Posts: 4,437
Loc: Canada
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: Diploid]
    #8127510 - 03/10/08 01:35 PM (16 years, 21 days ago)

Quote:

Diploid said:
Too bad the challenge has expired...

What, fifty years wasn't long enough for everyone to apply?




Applying from the womb seems out of question :laugh:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleOrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,441
Loc: Under the C
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: Diploid]
    #8127823 - 03/10/08 02:59 PM (16 years, 21 days ago)

The expiration was announced, but there's still almost two years remaining.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleCameron
Too Many Words
Male User Gallery


Registered: 10/31/07
Posts: 4,437
Loc: Canada
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #8127824 - 03/10/08 03:00 PM (16 years, 21 days ago)

:runaway:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineNeanderthal
Philosopher
Male

Registered: 03/02/08
Posts: 57
Last seen: 16 years, 16 days
Re: Shocker: Ex-Mystic Converts to Critical Thinking! [Re: Cameron]
    #8129215 - 03/10/08 08:25 PM (16 years, 21 days ago)

But, alas, it works both ways: two examples include Antony Flew and A.J. Ayer, both of whom were philosphical giants unwaveringly championing naturalism and atheism.


--------------------
"I will give you consciousness expansion that will turn your blood to ice water." -- Terence McKenna

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1

Shop: Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   North Spore North Spore Mushroom Grow Kits & Cultivation Supplies   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order   PhytoExtractum Maeng Da Thai Kratom Leaf Powder   Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* Having a Thought vs. Thinking Swami 1,287 7 12/22/02 02:48 PM
by Anonymous
* Post deleted by Administrator
( 1 2 all )
PsilosKube 3,664 25 09/04/02 12:19 AM
by Fliquid
* ESSAY:Psychedelic induced mystical experiences by Alan Watts tekramrepus 2,913 6 03/21/03 11:43 AM
by pattern
* Why I think astrology is somewhat valid
( 1 2 all )
Adamist 3,097 32 01/23/03 12:33 PM
by Remy
* Converting Religions? Earth_Droid 775 14 05/08/03 02:53 PM
by JohnnyRespect
* appeal for a mystical society,
( 1 2 all )
Mitchnast 4,109 34 03/19/03 05:31 PM
by Zero7a1
* Psychedelics and mysticism Kid 2,875 16 06/30/01 05:45 PM
by davidgergen
* Is mysticism as flawed as religion? mirror_saw 1,581 17 08/21/02 06:11 PM
by Sclorch

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Middleman, DividedQuantum
1,213 topic views. 2 members, 17 guests and 14 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.028 seconds spending 0.007 seconds on 14 queries.