Comments on: The dangers of mythic consciousness http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/03/13/the-dangers-of-mythic-consciousness/ Human Animals at the Crossroads of Culture, Science, Religion and Media Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:17:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Vicki http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/03/13/the-dangers-of-mythic-consciousness/comment-page-1/#comment-10700 Vicki Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:11:51 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1140#comment-10700 Sujay, I think what you are mostly talking about is simple magical thinking: If I want something bad enough it will happen. We all engage in magical thinking to a certain extent when we do the same things over and over and expect a different result. As in "I know this pickup line didn't work on the last 100 women I tried it on, but this time it will!" or "I know he's just like the last 5 irresponsible jerks I dated, but this time I will reform him through the power of love!" There is certainly a lot of pseudo-scientific and religious snake oil out there packaged just right to take advantage of people's fears and illusions about themselves. Sometimes it helps to de-construct the mythic archetypes that others may be using to influence you. You can be just as dominated by gods you don't (consciously) believe in as those you do. Sujay, I think what you are mostly talking about is simple magical thinking: If I want something bad enough it will happen. We all engage in magical thinking to a certain extent when we do the same things over and over and expect a different result. As in “I know this pickup line didn’t work on the last 100 women I tried it on, but this time it will!” or “I know he’s just like the last 5 irresponsible jerks I dated, but this time I will reform him through the power of love!”

There is certainly a lot of pseudo-scientific and religious snake oil out there packaged just right to take advantage of people’s fears and illusions about themselves. Sometimes it helps to de-construct the mythic archetypes that others may be using to influence you. You can be just as dominated by gods you don’t (consciously) believe in as those you do.

]]> By: Ben http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/03/13/the-dangers-of-mythic-consciousness/comment-page-1/#comment-10695 Ben Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:23:22 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1140#comment-10695 I have heard mostly good things about Hindus (for example, peaceful and kind). However, I consider myself quite a bit more enlightened than the average Joe. In fact, I would bet my last dollar that most Americans consider Hindus and Muslims to be *exactly* the same. We have plenty of snake oil-salesmen here too, just turn on the TV on Sunday morning. The difference is, they actually think they are doing God's bidding (or at least they are VERY convincing). It really irks me whenever I hear the naive sounding southern accents preaching...GAWD is your SAVYAH! JAYSUS CHRAST DIED FO AAWWWL of US! On the lighter side, the magnetic shoes will work, but only if you have complete faith in them. I have heard mostly good things about Hindus (for example, peaceful and kind). However, I consider myself quite a bit more enlightened than the average Joe. In fact, I would bet my last dollar that most Americans consider Hindus and Muslims to be *exactly* the same.

We have plenty of snake oil-salesmen here too, just turn on the TV on Sunday morning. The difference is, they actually think they are doing God’s bidding (or at least they are VERY convincing). It really irks me whenever I hear the naive sounding southern accents preaching…GAWD is your SAVYAH! JAYSUS CHRAST DIED FO AAWWWL of US!

On the lighter side, the magnetic shoes will work, but only if you have complete faith in them.

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