The Enemies of Reason Part 1 Rambling

 This is just the ramble about the first part of documentary.

The Enemies of Reason is a TV documentary which deals with fortunetelling and the "supernatural"  along with psuedoscientific domains of medicine also known as alternative medicine. Dawkins argues that if "alternative medicine" was real medicine, then it would be shown in scientific studies but in scientific studies, it has little to no efficacy. This is a two-part documentary. The First part is named "Slaves to Superstition". The First part deals with "Fortunetellers" and "Supernatural experts". 

In the begining of the documentary, Dawkins investigates astrology and does it hold any water. He finds out that horoscope is simply a bunch of general statements which can apply to anybody. He conducts an experiment to demonstrate this. He tells one person of each zodiac sign, what was written in the horoscope of Capricorn as their own horoscope. 6 out of 12 people agree that this is right but none of the 6 people horoscope was actually told, it was other zodiac sign's horoscope. Astrology comes down to whether or not you believe in it or not. If you believe in it, you will find out events that square with the prediction, this phenomenon is called Conformation Bias. The fact that horoscope are full of general broad term statements makes it more believable to some people.

Next he goes to Psychic Fortunetellers, who allegedly can predict your future. Most humans are very anxious about their future and some are more anxious than others, while some people are antsy by nature however some are going through a rough patch, this fact jives well with Psychics, who alleviates people's worries by feeding them bunch of bullshit. It's similar to the kid who agrees to throw a party after his "friends" bombard him with adulation and songs of praise. He knows deep down that his "friends" are bullshiting but he goes along cause he wants to believe it. Same goes with people who goes to Fortunetellers. They also know the Psychic is talking out of his ass but they go along cause they want to believe that. Fortunetellers comes in all shapes and sizes, everyone of them spew nonsense just they package it differently. Some tell future by reading lines on your hand, reading your hand right! Some use tarot cards and parrots, some by touching your hand and shutting their eyes and thinking how dumb you are for believing him. It reminds of my school days how I use to predict my friends future profession by doing this.

It was all nice and fun when I was a kid but using this sort of nonsense to tell future of adults what? Even when I was a kid I thought this doesn't mean anything, this is just a silly game, we are having fun. But, what boggles my mind is adults believe in this sort of fortunetelling nonsense which kids are smart enough to disbelieve. This is bonkers when I think about it.

I also remember as kids we use to predict whether or not someone will be able to marry thier "crush" or not by playing the game flames which is illustrated above. We knew that even if the game says marriage, it doesn't mean anything and we are just having a good time playing this frivolous games. But, the fact that adults believe things similar to this silly game and act upon whatever the Fortunetellers tells you is just bonkers. Imagine for a second, if you believed in this game of flames and game tells you that you will marry your crush and then you go on and propose her. What will happen? What always happens Rejection at worst and slap or sandal at worst. Maybe heel will be the worst, I don't know, I can't tell I don't have much experience. But, logically heel will hurt the most the force er unit area is highest in the case of the heel.And the show made out of this humiliation will be called "Heels from Hell" So anyways the conclusion is you will be absolutely gutted and heartbroken. All this can be avoided if you don't believe in it. That is also the right choice in the case of fortunetelling. Don't believe it cause heels hurt (Believe me I know).

Next Dawkins moves on to his next crazy escapade. He meets Psychic Mediums. Who allegedly talks to dead people. Right. So people who have lost their loved ones and still have hang ups and need closure are the visitors to the these Psychics. Considering grieving people are not in the right frame of mind, it is easy to understand why these Psychics keep on spouting nonsense and get paid for it. So these Psychic mediums feed bereaved people what they want to hear and they believe it cause they want to. These are less detrimental than others cause if the grieving person believes what these Psychics are saying things like - they forgave you and they are at peace now and things like that, that this can help people bring closure and move on with their lives. But, in the end it's just bunch of bs. Just like Men will say anything to sleep with a women, These charlatans will say anything that you want to hear so that you can give them your money. Money and Sex can make people do crazy things.