http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_attraction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_attraction)
QuoteThe law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like" and that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results.[1][2][3][4] This belief is based upon the idea that people and their thoughts are both made from pure energy, and the belief that like energy attracts like energy.[citation needed] One example used by a proponent of the law of attraction is that if a person opened an envelope expecting to see a bill, then the law of attraction would "confirm" those thoughts and contain a bill when opened. A person who decided to instead expect a cheque might, under the same law, find a cheque instead of a bill.[5]
Although there are some cases where positive or negative attitudes can produce corresponding results (principally the placebo and nocebo effects), there is no scientific basis to the law of attraction.[6]
Regardless of the lack of scientific backing, this idea has a number of proponents, including Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. I first heard of this when I was watching TV after I retired and Oprah had a show on it, along with some authors and other pundits. I subsequently read the book, just for the hell of it. Wasn't really impressed, though I was a Christian then and tried to tie it into biblical thinking.
It turns out this idea has a lot of traction. The original concept dates back to the 1860s and was looked at as part of a "New Thought" movement in philosophical circles. Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking", while not about that, does echo some of the same ideas. Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is also along those lines. Peale and Hill's books are still published and sold today. It ties into a number of areas, including Prosperity Gospel-Foursquare Church and others. I attended a Foursquare church a few years ago, and it was one of the reasons I am an atheist today.
There is nothing wrong with positive thinking. As a person who suffered from Clinical Depression, I learned that working to project positive thoughts helped me deal with that, and the attitude of looking forward and not dwelling on past failures was essential. I am free of medication today, largely for that reason. The real issue I have with this is when it is viewed in a spiritualistic or religious way, it can lead people to think merely projecting "good thoughts" can somehow lead to success. Good thought is fine, but hard work to go with it is better.
It's essentially Peter Pan's clap your hands if you believe IRL. Obviously, wishing doesn't make it so. Yet this sort of magical thinking is oddly prevalent, especially among the super rich (who no doubt find it appealing to credit their success to their own efforts rather than to factors beyond their control (//http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-serving_bias)) and equally appealing to those who aspire to be like them, who apparently believe that mimicking a wealthy person's attitude might similarly lead them to wealth.
The Law of Attraction is screwed up in that it can fool someone into overemphasizing attitude and neglecting action in achieving their goals. It also has the ugly implication that those without wealth simply didn't want it bad enough.
In short, it's a vile belief and superstitious nonsense. It's little wonder it finds such easy company among the devoutly religious.
Sounds like an ad on a porn site, make your dick grow 15 inches in 4 days with positive thinking. :roll:
Woops..let's not forget the little choochoo train.. I think I can....
Oh yeah! All things are possible with you know who.. :)
Quote from: "Hydra009"It's essentially Peter Pan's clap your hands if you believe IRL. Obviously, wishing doesn't make it so. Yet this sort of magical thinking is oddly prevalent, especially among the super rich (who no doubt find it appealing to credit their success to their own efforts rather than to factors beyond their control (//http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-serving_bias)) and equally appealing to those who aspire to be like them, who apparently believe that mimicking a wealthy person's attitude might similarly lead them to wealth.
The Law of Attraction is screwed up in that it can fool someone into overemphasizing attitude and neglecting action in achieving their goals. It also has the ugly implication that those without wealth simply didn't want it bad enough.
In short, it's a vile belief and superstitious nonsense. It's little wonder it finds such easy company among the devoutly religious.
Your statement also happens to be a pretty good description of prosperity gospel. The idea that believing and having faith will lead to riches, just support the ministry, etc. The Foursquare church preaches that if you are ill it is because you aren't "in the spirit" with Jesus. That went over big with my wife with MS, believe me. Also, the next week after he said that, his own wife was sick with the flu. It also doesn't quite cover birth defects.
It also reminds me of SGI "Buddhism." They chant for what they want.
QuoteThe law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like"
Just tested that with magnets. The results do not support the theory.
Positive thinking isn't about "If I think happy, I will get rich". It's no more than "If I think happy, I will be happy".
It works wonders for me. I'm always happy, even though it's probably also the very thing that's keeping me from being rich.
Bullshit.
I was a bookstore manager when the book "The Secret" came out. It was, and is, a joke. Magical thinking at it's finest.
Lol my mom made me watch The Secret.
It's total bullshit. All to is is brainwashing yourself to not notice the bad and notice more of the good. The same shit happens around you. You're not manipulating anything other than your observations. I think it has to do with the fact that people always forget about the bad and remember the good, it just makes it happen more.
Obviously if you flap your arms fast enough you can fly, but you have to believe it enough or it don't work. Then all you're doing is jumping jacks without actually jumping. :)
'The Power Of Positive Thinking' right? Well I don't think it holds real merit as thought would have to manifest itself into a real force that could act on material objects. Sure we've all seen David Blane or Chris Angel do crap that seems like they are moving them with their minds, but really what they are doing is deceiving those that want to be deceived, which is virtually all of us.
In the 1860s there was no real knowledge of real exacting science other than what had already been discovered by Newton and his peers. People thought they were conducting scientific experiments and inventing things when they were just fooling around in the barn so to speak. Even Thomas A. Edison wasn't a real scientist. That is the age when this theory first emerged and low and behold it gained credibility. Just like religions that aren't based on anything more than a good sales job and some appropriate phrasing to make things sound authentic. You know like when a person uses a Bavarian accent to seem like they know psychology. Or when the catholic church uses somber music to make their rituals seem reverent.
I don't think this theory has any validity at all, not even accidentally.
I only would think about positive thinking for its placebo effect, nothing more.
I sometimes see the placebo effect met with a tad of derision, that someone is "fooling themselves" with positive thinking. But I view it as the way of thinking about the world in a different, and positive, perspective.
But people that think of positive thinking as a way to improve their lives on its own are definitely fooling themselves. It's enabling the same way atheism just removes ideas that weren't there in the first place.
My own experience from dealing with depression is that by being proactive/thinking positive and not allowing yourself to wallow in perceived failure is definitely important. In that aspect, positive thinking matters. But to assume you will acquire things or gain wealth or improve your life merely by thought is silly. Thoughts are only as effective as the actions that go with them.
Quote from: "stromboli"Regardless of the lack of scientific backing, this idea has a number of proponents, including Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.
I like the way you inserted this partial list of highly reasoned proponents for our examination. Well, I can't say it makes me want to believe in the concept with total acceptance, but it's a start I suppose. I mean after all; Oprah Winfrey.
Quote from: "SGOS"Quote from: "stromboli"Regardless of the lack of scientific backing, this idea has a number of proponents, including Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.
I like the way you inserted this partial list of highly reasoned proponents for our examination. Well, I can't say it makes me want to believe in the concept with total acceptance, but it's a start I suppose. I mean after all; Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah is the princess of bullshit . The queen of bullshit is Eve .
I doubt thoughts have big effect on the world but they sure do have effect on the one who has em.
Quote from: "vsenetak"I doubt thoughts have big effect on the world but they sure do have effect on the one who has em.
TBH, I haven't met too many people who have them, either. :P
Quote from: "Jmpty"I was a bookstore manager when the book "The Secret" came out. It was, and is, a joke. Magical thinking at it's finest.
I received "The Secret" as a gift from a young relative. I found it quite useful, as a coaster- two beers could fit nicely.
Quote from: "Jason78"QuoteThe law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like"
Just tested that with magnets. The results do not support the theory.
While you may have touched positive against positive...were both of the magnets actually thinking positively?
If not I reject the validity of this experiment and denounce it as pseudoscience!
I accept positive thinking can have positive effects in persons but the idea that we can get anything we want by only thinking positive of it is bullshit. Horse crap I would say.
I'm all for positive thinking. It is my understanding that being down when you are sick doesn't help with the healing process, for example, and this is a well documented fact amongst doctors/hospitals/etc. However, this doesn't mean the reverse is true, that if you go all happy and high on life to your daily dose of chemotherapy, that will cure you of cancer.
I think positive thinking can have a genuine positive impact on you and those around you. It's all about perspective. But I don't accept any proposed "energy give-offs" or any other mumbo-jumbo in the complete absence of evidence.
If I can choose to be happy or crabby waking up in the morning and going on about my day, why be crabby? We've only got so many days to live.
Quote from: "SilentFutility"Quote from: "Jason78"QuoteThe law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like"
Just tested that with magnets. The results do not support the theory.
While you may have touched positive against positive...were both of the magnets actually thinking positively?
If not I reject the validity of this experiment and denounce it as pseudoscience!
I was thinking positively. I really really wanted it to happen!
I don't understand why it didn't. :(
Though the so-called "Law of Attraction" is mystical-based mumbo-jumbo, there is certainly merit to positive thinking. There's nothing mystical about it: positive thinking acts as a motivator. People tend to be more successful when they take action to achieve a goal or solve problems, whereas negative-thinking people tend not to even try.
Quote from: "stromboli"Good thought is fine, but hard work to go with it is better.
Words of wisdom.
Motivation is truly the key to living a productive life. I'm lazy myself and it sucks seeing the world passing you by all the time. Positive thinking and positive self-enforcement turns into motivation which then turns into action, and in the end results. Nothing mystical about it, just pure rationality.