Thread: Skeptics, watch this and let me know what you think

Originally Posted by dodobird

This is amazing.

This one pretty cool too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6G-vyAlII

They are tough guys, that's a given. I just don't like how they attribute their feats to a "mystical" force. They did say that they are only enhancing their natural abilities, which I completely agree with. But they are still assigning the credit to a "force" (Chi), when the truth is that it's mostly about technique.

Though, the cynical side of me is compelled to point out that some of that is not so much "toughness" as it is "showmanship".

Originally Posted by dodobird

This is amazing.

This one pretty cool too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6G-vyAlII

bending that bar with their throats was amazing!!!

But you seem to think that his techniques differ from what is known as magic.

I do, only because he specifically disclaims himself at the beginning of the show. "I am Derren Brown, throughout this show there are no stooges or actors of any kind. I achieve my feats using a combination of neural-linguistic programming, hypnosis, and advanced language patterns"

That's not exactly what he says, but that's basically it. I don't think anyone would consider it magic anymore, but that's just me. And of course I remember you pointing that out earlier in the thread, but I don't think his intention is to come off as a "magician" due to his disclaimer.

Originally Posted by Adam

bending that bar with their throats was amazing!!!

They do that in self-help courses too.

Originally Posted by Rainman

I do, only because he specifically disclaims himself at the beginning of the show. "I am Derren Brown, throughout this show there are no stooges or actors of any kind. I achieve my feats using a combination of neural-linguistic programming, hypnosis, and advanced language patterns"

That's not exactly what he says, but that's basically it.

That's not at all what he says. First, off, Derren Brown doesn't use NLP. Above all, he includes showmanship and misdirection. Derren Brown is a psychological illusionist and as such a magician. By that disclaimer, you might consider that some of the tricks are dual-reality: You, as the viewer, don't get to see what his target gets to see. In some cases I would assume that he presents relatively obvious psychological techniques in order to misdirect from the magic trick of a totally different nature that is actually taking place.

In his live show "Something Wicked This Way Comes" he actually claimed that he would cut off oxygen from his brain for 3 minutes to walk over broken glass. An audience member acknowledged that there was no pulse to be felt in his arm and he went on to walk over the glass. Well, it's a magic trick. And walking over broken glass isn't as dangerous as it sounds. It's basically like walking over paper and worrying about getting cut by the edges.

He does not say the bit about NLP and ALP in the beginning of the shows, but I specifically recall several episodes (of the trick or treat variety) where he explains how he did it, and NLP WAS one of the methods listed. I assume you probably study NLP so you know what it looks like, as do I, and he uses it quite frequently. Now if I am wrong in my assumption that you understand what NLP is (not just know the mundane definition and say you understand it), NLP is a form of conversational or covert hypnosis. Pattern interrupts, presuppositions, linguistic binds, comparisons, etc. All of those are forms of advanced language patterns (ALP) which is the basis for NLP, neural-linguistic programming. To say that Derren Brown does not use this would be ridiculous. I can point out NLP to you in all of his clips that involve messing with someone's head. Find one.

The video isn't paranormal, I would consider it quite normal, or extra-normal.

It'd say it's more sub-normal or quazi-normal. Maybe counter-natural.

Originally Posted by Mark75

It'd say it's more sub-normal or quazi-normal. Maybe counter-natural.

ha ha

Michael actually you are the first person to officially flame this thread because before you people were insulting each other's arguments, not each other.

I've never personally witnessed the power of advanced meditation but the power of meditation in general is enough for me to do it daily. (of course my mom stalks around the house in flip-flops whenever I try so I can't even concentrate for half a second while I'm stuck here) But in meditation I find I've felt what DJ is describing as chi. There's an energy in our bodies that is not electric that I can feel flowing around, and I can even see what he means by yin and yang energy. Maybe in like 30 or 40 years I'll be able to control it because for now I can barely keep my attention on it.

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

I That guy could have won a million dollars by demonstrating his abilities under strict lab conditions, and that money has not been won to this day, which speaks libraries of volumes.

I know this is an old post, but I would like to point out a specific clause of the "1 million dollars" that the applicant must have a "media presence" something this obscure man certainly lacks, "powers" aside.

12. This offer is not open to any and all persons. Before being considered as an applicant, the person applying must satisfy two conditions: First, he/she must have a “media presence,” which means having been published, written about, or known to the media in regard to his/her claimed abilities or powers. This can be established by producing articles, videos, books, or other published material that specifically addresses the person’s abilities.

Taken from: http://www.randi.org/joom/challenge-application.html

Say what? Isn't that clip from a documentary about him? Or at least one that features him?

Originally Posted by Rainman

Chris Angel is half bullshit, half liar. I'll explain.

No explanation needed.

Also, I'd like to note that the million dollar challenge is for people who believe that "money"... or the outer world has more value than their inner world can provide them. Afterall, money is just numbers on pieces of paper which we collectively believe to be of significance as we pour our perceptions and intentions outward as opposed to inward where it belongs.

Why would or must the guy in the video prove himself to anyone, is what you should be asking... A person who knows... knows... and needs not to seek approval in the outside world...

Originally Posted by Jonathan

I know this is an old post, but I would like to point out a specific clause of the "1 million dollars" that the applicant must have a "media presence" something this obscure man certainly lacks, "powers" aside.

Then how do we know about him?

Originally Posted by SolSkye

Also, I'd like to note that the million dollar challenge is for people who believe that "money"... or the outer world has more value than their inner world can provide them. Afterall, money is just numbers on pieces of paper which we collectively believe to be of significance as we pour our perceptions and intentions outward as opposed to inward where it belongs.

Why would or must the guy in the video prove himself to anyone, is what you should be asking... A person who knows... knows... and needs not to seek approval in the outside world...

It is an extremely rare person who passes up a golden opportunity to easily make a million dollars. Everybody loves money. Everybody. You can love money and still be even more concerned with inner goals. One does not exclude the other.

Wouldn't he get more 'inner peace' from donating a million dollars to a charity of his choosing?

You're going to have to do better than that.

Maybe an ability to create eletricity? Or just a hidden battery somewhere? xD