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Woo or not woo?

Elizabeth I

Philosopher
Elizabeth I
Joined
Jul 22, 2006
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Defending the Alamo
In a store today I saw some carved jade pendants packaged as "Feng Shui" charms, each one supposedly good for "prosperity," "happiness," "good luck," "love," etc. One was called "unexpected miracles." It was a very pretty pendant, and I thought the idea of "unexpected miracles" a charming one.

So here's my question - do you think my reaction ("pretty carving, nice idea") was woo or not woo? Why or why not?
 
Ding Dongs and cake bring me "happiness", and I "love" them.

I dont think that reacting that something is pretty is woo. Your reaction of "nice idea" though gives the feeling that unexpected miracles" are a "nice idea". It depends if you were sarcastic in the second reaction.
 
Yes.

...no.

Maybe...

It's an emotional response linked to a physical conception - that is the idea of unexpected miracles provokes a nice emotional reaction and the aesthetics of the pedant re-enforces the association. That's the beginning of woo physics - nice idea to have, so that's the idea I use to explain what I see - even if actual physics disagrees.
 
Hmmm. . .I think the "expect a miracle" slogan campaign was so successful that "unexpected miracles" couldn't possibly happen.
;)
 
Sentimentality is one of our traits. Difficult to dimiss our animal nature sometimes. And frankly why should we?
 
I wear new agey type pendents for the vanity of it, and because I like pretty stones and crystals.
I'm always being asked what my crystals do for me "energy" wise. I answer that I wear them for the vanity of it.
Should I "avoid the appearance of evil?"
Nah, that's a Christian Puritan maxim.

But if wearing pretty things is now woo-woo, then woo is me!
 
Elizabeth I said:
In a store today I saw some carved jade pendants packaged as "Feng Shui" charms, each one supposedly good for "prosperity," "happiness," "good luck," "love," etc. One was called "unexpected miracles." It was a very pretty pendant, and I thought the idea of "unexpected miracles" a charming one.

So here's my question - do you think my reaction ("pretty carving, nice idea") was woo or not woo? Why or why not?
Click to expand...

If by "nice idea" you mean "nice marketing gimmick" then no, it was not wooish.

If by "nice idea" you mean "wear this and receive unexpected miracles" then yes, it was wooish.

Miracles, by definition, are "unexpected events, initiated by divine beings, that defy the laws of nature."

And isn't Feng Shui a means of re-arranging the furniture, anyway?
 
I don't know about your question. I just think "Woo or Not Woo" sounds like an English New Wave band.
 
It depends on the Cost. If they cost as much as pendents without miracles then it's not really woo. If they are charging extra for the miracles the woo.
 
Fnord said:
And isn't Feng Shui a means of re-arranging the furniture, anyway?
Click to expand...
No, they like to go way beyond furniture. It pretty much covers re-arranging anything, anything at all, to give you better luck, and give them your money. It could range from the furniture in your house, to the house's architectural design, to your hair cut, or even what clothes you wear with your hat... you could find a "scientific" Feng Shui opinion on what to do for all of these. :(
 
What I am about to say, I am not sure I entirely agree with, but here it goes:

Wearing such crystals could be a sign of motivation towards some of those goals.
I was reading Freakonomics, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, a couple of weeks ago. (The revised and expanded version).
The last chapter was about names parents give to their children, and if the name really mattered in their success or not. Basically, it does not.

But, (and this is where it is relevant to the topic) some who changed their names from an awful one to a good one, tended to be more successful than those who kept a bad name. The authors theorize that it is really motivation that makes the difference. Someone motivated to change their name, is likely to be motivated in other ways, to be successful.

As for the charms: Appreciating them, while knowing full well that they do not have powers, could simply be an emblem of your motivation.

Again, I'm not sure I even fully agree with my above arguments, myself. If anyone has other comments, I'd appreciate them.
(Reading Freakonomics tends to do these crazy things to people's thoughts.)

As others pointed out: I would not pay extra for ones with "powers" vs. ones without. And, I would not support anyone or any business claiming to be in the business of selling "real magic" charms.

Oh, and one more thing:
"Unexpected Miracles" sounds like an invitation for inducing post-hoc arguments.
 
Unexpected Miracles
Click to expand...

Does that mean you are supposed to expect the pendant will not work? You figure that if one is buying a pendant for miracles, they would rather be expecting them.
 
The idea of unexpected miracles is charming, just like Santa Claus. The distinction between woo and not woo is in actually believing it or not.

Of course, if you buy the pendant today and in a week or so something miraculous does happen--off the top of my head, let's say a rabbit leaves chocolate eggs at your house--well, then there's obviously something to it. :)
 
Tumblehome said:
The idea of unexpected miracles is charming, just like Santa Claus. The distinction between woo and not woo is in actually believing it or not.

Of course, if you buy the pendant today and in a week or so something miraculous does happen--off the top of my head, let's say a rabbit leaves chocolate eggs at your house--well, then there's obviously something to it. :)
Click to expand...
Of course a rabbit is going to leave chocolate eggs at my house! Are you saying it could be otherwise?

And isn't a miracle by definition unexpected?

(And, to address the original question: it's only woo if you want it to be.)
 
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Elizabeth I said:
In a store today I saw some carved jade pendants packaged as "Feng Shui" charms...

So here's my question - do you think my reaction ("pretty carving, nice idea") was woo or not woo? Why or why not?
Click to expand...

Pretty carvings, -- This question seems simple enouph to me. Are the carvings pretty enough to be worth the money. You know darn well "Feng Shui" is as woo as woo can be.
 
Wowbagger said:
But, (and this is where it is relevant to the topic) some who changed their names from an awful one to a good one, tended to be more successful than those who kept a bad name.
Click to expand...
Did the book say anything about the name "Wowbagger?"

Just asking.
 
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