Speech for Class, Would Others See me as Insane?

[Fergie1]

Every year at my school we have to do a speech and was thinking would people who had never had an LD before think I'm insane for making my topic about LDing? What do you all think?

[Clairity]

Some will and some won't.. but they can't complain that its a topic that they've heard about a thousand times before.

[Iamerik]

I'd say do it. Who knows, some might get interested and try it. And if any of your friends get interested you got someone to share your LD's with other than us. And you impress the teacher by choosing an original topic!

[Fergie1]

I probably will end up doing it, so which technique do you think I should cover? I thought maybe the "Trick your body into falling asleep" and then falling through your bed etc. I don't think I could really share what my LD's where about with my friends tho.

[Merlock]

No one will think you're insane unless you propose it like you are. You need to introduce it in the way we see it: a typical concept, scientifically proven, experienced by you and "enjoyed and used by thousands of people world wide", etc. Not just explain what it is in general and move on to induction techniques. And if anyone even asks a single question along the lines of "do you really believe in this?", you just raise an eyebrow and point out that this isn't even related to magic or any such, it's a usual concept with scientific research behind it. Not the most open-minded explanation but it will get rid of any annoyance from those that follow science as a god and think some things are impossible.

[Citizen]

Last year I gave a speech about Lucid Dreaming in my Speech Class and I presented it as a career! I talked about how I would enjoy being an Oneironaut and what it was all about. A good way to describe it and get people interested in it is explain it using "The Matrix" as a reference. "The people in the Matrix realized that the world they were in was fake, so they could bend the rules. What if you could do that in real life? The closest that we can come is our dreams..." stuff like that... And you must understand that I'm not a weird kid... I'm not into paranormal shit... I'm into neuroscience and to me, that's exactly what lucid dreaming is.

[Abra]

I'd say the DILD method is the safest route, for credibility's sake. At the very least, I suggest you only include techniques you personally have used. Be sure to include dream recall and WBTB technique, along with dream journals and junk like that. I wouldn't go into specific sensations, since these are impossible to professionally describe, and are different for everyone. The basics are sure to fill whatever time requirement there is. I'd not forget to explore all of the applications lucid dreaming has (changing nightmares, adventures, overcoming certain phobias like public speaking, heh, heh). If you still have time, you could talk about sleep studies. Find sources *cough*ETWLD*cough*Dreamviews*cough*. Cite them in your speech. If your teacher doesn't require you to site your sources, you have a very lax teacher, and I suggest to cite your sources anyway. Including quotes within your speech boosts credibility immensely.

[westonci]

Teach them WILD, and scare the crap out of them by teacing them Sleep Paralysis

[Fergie1]

Teach them WILD, and scare the crap out of them by teacing them Sleep Paralysis I'm planning to teach them the trick your body into falling asleep which involves SP, but they still should get to a LD. Either that or FILD.

[Abra]

The reason I'm saying stay away from WILD is that it's quite hard for a beginner to achieve. D:

[Aniseed]

I think it's a great idea. I'd much rather listen to a person give a speech about lucid dreaming than pretty much anything else! You're here so you're obviously passionate and interested in the topic so that'll count for alot. It's been scientifically proven, it's no more insane than your average non-lucid dream. I agree with Merlock, hit them with the scientific angle, you could start with the first books published on the subject and how it's been around for ages. People are more likely to perceive it as mental if you hit them with a New Age angle, I think. Personally I love talking about it! I wish someone had got me excited about it sooner. It also depends on how of yourself you want to give, I wouldn't be sharing my dreams with just anyone. Good luck!

[MixedMan]

Give them numbers, show them the results of studies on the subject, tell them how it's been scientifically proven (eye signals during REM stage) etc. Don't give them the "I swear it's true" attitude, act like denying the existence of LDs is stupid, which it is. Be confident on what you're saying and at least they'll research it on their own and maybe become more interested that way. Some of them will probably wait for another moment to ask you questions, make them feel free to do that. What grade are they in?

[Wavefunction]

Give them numbers, show them the results of studies on the subject, tell them how it's been scientifically proven (eye signals during REM stage) etc. Don't give them the "I swear it's true" attitude, act like denying the existence of LDs is stupid, which it is. Be confident on what you're saying and at least they'll research it on their own and maybe become more interested that way. Some of them will probably wait for another moment to ask you questions, make them feel free to do that. What grade are they in? Yes, always bring evidence, especially when proving something like LDing.

[Citizen]

The reason I'm saying stay away from WILD is that it's quite hard for a beginner to achieve. D: Is it really? Because besides a few DILD's a few years ago, WILDing is the closest I've come to a lucid since... man... let me look at my dream journal (flips through digital pages...) June 11, 2005... holy goodness I have the craziest dry spell... what would be an easier route? Because I got into HI with WILDing last night (didn't get into the dream phase though ) What would you suggest?

[lagunagirl]

I talked about how I would enjoy being an Oneironaut and what it was all about. what is an oneironaut?

[Clairity]

what is an oneironaut? Oneironaut is the official term for a lucid dreamer.

[Sybot]

Make sure to go at it in a scientific way rather than anything mystical. I think people would be turned off if you make it sound too New-Agey.

[QwinsepiaSquared]

Last year my reading class read an old reasearch report about LDing, and the only thing that turned them off was reality checks. They thought it was stupid to go around all day and plug your nose. Otherwise, they seemed generally interested in the topic. I agree with everyone else, take this from a scientific standpoint. And work in the Matrix if you can. There is no spoon...

[jedimind]

I think it would be a great topic for a speech. It's a pretty interesting subject and it won't seem so far fetched to the skeptics if you explain some of the related science. Additionally everyone can relate to lucid dreaming. Who hasn't had a bad nightmare from which they couldn't wake up?

[westonci]

Its all about delivery. You can make a boring topic sound cool, and a cool topic sound boring. It depends on how you deliver the speech. And also I agree with everyone about telling them the research that has gone into lucid dreams. And when you start your speech start off with something that will really get there attention.

[Mega93]

Lucid Dreaming ---> The concept, exampels (Say something about how it is scientificly proved and give them an example like "If you'd see a sign in your dream saying !You are Dreaming!, would you realize that you actually were dreaming?". ---> Tell about your own experiences --> Reality checking and how it leads to LDs. ---> Take questions and refer to the F.A.Q at lucidity.com. Try to begin with pure fact and use big and powerfull words like "science" and "men in white robes" (don't forget DR Stephen LaBerge- And maybe tell the story about how you first found out about lucid dreaming and your reactions. Oh, and don't forget to mention that lucid dreaming has nothing at all to do with New Age or religion.

[GestaltAlteration]

Stephen Laberge (Lucidity Institute, Ph.D) set up an experiment in his lab to prove lucid dreaming to the external world. He told his subject that when they were in the lucid state, to move their eyes in a certain way. (up, down, up, down, etc.). It was a success, the graph showed the exact eye movements that was pre-meditated while the subject was awake. Something along those lines may be good for the evidence portion. Also in my opinion MILD, DILD (reality checks included), and WBTB are good for a speech. Don't be shy to touch on any others you feel like.

[Citizen]

don't forget DR Stephen LaBerge On that note, also refer to his profession as being a "psychophysiologist". Once again, hail wikipedia

[Abra]

Is it really? Because besides a few DILD's a few years ago, WILDing is the closest I've come to a lucid since... man... let me look at my dream journal (flips through digital pages...) June 11, 2005... holy goodness I have the craziest dry spell... what would be an easier route? Because I got into HI with WILDing last night (didn't get into the dream phase though ) What would you suggest? I heard that it was hard for beginners from one of the tutorials, I think. I proved it by trying it... Many times. Since I've joined. One of these days, I will have one (if I stop managing to sleep through my alarm clock, that is)! The closest I've ever come is '547 breath counts,' or 'two hours of visualization technique.' I suggest going for DILDs (one of the tutorials suggested that, too). They are the most common lucid dream type. Unfortunately, they harbor lower levels of lucidity in more cases than in WILD.

[~Erin~]

Last year I gave a speech about Lucid Dreaming in my Speech Class and I presented it as a career! I talked about how I would enjoy being an Oneironaut and what it was all about. A good way to describe it and get people interested in it is explain it using "The Matrix" as a reference. "The people in the Matrix realized that the world they were in was fake, so they could bend the rules. What if you could do that in real life? The closest that we can come is our dreams..." stuff like that... And you must understand that I'm not a weird kid... I'm not into paranormal shit... I'm into neuroscience and to me, that's exactly what lucid dreaming is. I did that too. Also, I did do my grade 8 speech on lucid dreaming. No one thought I was crazy ( I don't think) people were confused at the start of exactly what it was but at the end some people were interested. Again, as I did it for my career people just found it interesting. Instead of the Matrix I used the part " Are you a dreamer ?"from waking life. because I said thats why people do this kind career because no one teaches it so no one knows it exsits. to quote waking life. anyway, if you haven't already I say go for it