-- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "TurquoiseB" <turquoiseb@...> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "PaliGap" <compost1uk@> wrote: > > [snip] > > For example - prayers for someone who does not know > > the prayers are being made, or yagyas performed, or > > whatever. > > I consider these possible, but as unlikely as > being struck by lightning. Twice. > > > Personally I don't share your certainty. (That does not > > mean I "believe" either. I'm open-minded). > > I also said nothing whatsoever about "certainty," > and in fact went out of my way to indicate that > I *wasn't* certain. Sounds to me as if you're > making shit up to have something to argue > against.
It's all words. No big deal. I just feel if someone says something is "as unlikely as being struck by lightning. Twice", then they're expressing a lot of confidence in what they believe. "Certainty" seems to be a reasonable word for that. No need to get irritable, I can take it back! I thought you were saying something interesting. i.e. All of this woo-woo stuff is "placebo". If you're saying "most of it is, but some may not be", or "I think it is but then again I have no idea", that's far more nuanced (and uninteresting?) "Placebo" is fascinating IMO. It is readily used to explain away troubling results. As in "it is *just* the placebo effect". But it seems to me that it must exclude effects that happen without the knowledge of the patient. But as far as their is any evidence for woo-woo cures, what evidence that there is will sometimes rule out that key pre-condition for placebo. For example... All "woo-woo" performed on animals. A friend of ours down the road has a bit of a reputation as a "healer". Her neighbour is the most non "new age" character you could possibly EVER imagine. But he is convinced she has helped him, and sees her regularly for woo-woo sessions. "Placebo"? Maybe. On the other hand she also does "healing for pets" and effortlessly obtains loyal followers when she attempts this - our household included, as it appears she has done something to improve the health of our cat. ;-) Personally I don't know what to make of it (I never do!), but I see some correlation at least. On the other hand, perhaps *I'm just trying to start an argument*! The verb "to FFL": I make interesting posts YOU are just trying to start an argument HE is just responding to having his buttons pushed SHE is stalking me THEY are going to have their posts ignored if they don't LISTEN UP!
