truth | Bulldozer00's Blog

Misconceptions And Truths

November 21, 2011 bulldozer00 2 comments

In the modern world the stupid (like BD00) are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell

Thanks to multi-fish-name dude, I was introduced to the hilariously serious work of David McRaney. In his terrific book, “You Are Not So Smart“, David starts off each chapter with a pair of misconception-truth assertions. He then proceeds to make his case by skillfully citing and summarizing a multitude of psychological studies.

Here’s a sampling of several misconception-truth pairs that I hope will get you to consider helping David out and buying his book:

Of course, being the self-smug, smarty-pants, know-it-all that he is, BD00 held none of the misconceptions and knew all of the truths before buying the book. Mr. McRaney’s work simply added another layer of concrete to the sarcophagus that holds the BD00 UCB comfortably in place.

Full disclosure and hidden agenda: The real reason I’m promoting Dave’s work is because he’s got the funniest web site marquee on the planet:

So what d’ya think? Should I ask for permission to change the “meh” banner on this blog from this boring and bland image…..

to this YANSS derivative….

Categories: miscellaneous Tags: Bertrand Russell, David McRaney, Delusion, linkedin, postaday2011, psychology, truth

Truth And Fear

May 1, 2010 bulldozer00 1 comment

The association of truth and fear, which would be highly artificial at most, is particularly inappropriate in the minds of those who do not know what truth is. All this could mean is that you are arbitrarily associating something beyond your awareness with something you do not want. It is evident, then, that you are judging something of which you are totally unaware. You have set up this strange situation so that it is impossible to escape from it without a guide who does know what your reality is. The purpose of this guide is to merely remind you. – A Course In Miracles

Alrighty then. Let’s break this passage down, analyze it to death, and see how much of it applies to me and you.

The association of truth and fear, which would be highly artificial at most, is particularly inappropriate in the minds of those who do not know what truth is : this statement applies directly to me. I have no clue of what (the) truth is. (you too?)
You are arbitrarily associating something beyond your awareness with something you do not want: I do associate things beyond my awareness with fear – which is something I don’t want. (you too?)
You are judging something of which you are totally unaware: Since I like to make stuff up, I’m constantly judging stuff I’m not aware of. (you too?)
You have set up this strange situation so that it is impossible to escape from it without a guide who does know what your reality is: Ok, I’ll buy into that. But who’s the freakin’ guide? (you wanna know too?)

The purported guide is supposedly: Jesus Christ as channeled through the “A Course In Miracles” author duo. There’s a lot to like in this work but, because I’m not a big fan of organized religion, I’m having a tough time reading more than one or two pages at a time.