Critical Noreen Renier web site closing out

[fuelair]

The number of stars indicates quality. When people see a book title suggesting (like in "Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions") that ESP is a mere "delusion", it is possible that they are not willing to give very high ratings to that book. I have already mentioned on this forum that apparently 41% of Americans believe in ESP: http://www.livescience.com/16748-americans-beliefs-paranormal-infographic.html (I suspect the number of Americans who really believe in ESP is actually much higher, and close to 100%, but they are not necessarily ready to admit it in a poll).

Now, regarding Renier's claims, even if some moderate and polite skepticism is appropriate (and perhaps sometimes even more than that, see Daylightstar's post above), I think they are not necessarily as absurd and illogical as they may seem at first sight. Take for example her "prediction" of the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. This idea was probably present in John Hinckley, Jr.'s mind a few hours before he shot at Reagan, and even also perhaps a few months before. Then, Ms. Renier, who is perhaps a sensitive lady with an interest in criminal affairs, could have correctly perceived this idea through ESP or telepathy, way before the crime took place. There is nothing irrational and unscientific here.

Seriously?????????

 

[fuelair]

The number of stars indicates quality. When people see a book title suggesting (like in "Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions") that ESP is a mere "delusion", it is possible that they are not willing to give very high ratings to that book. I have already mentioned on this forum that apparently 41% of Americans believe in ESP: http://www.livescience.com/16748-americans-beliefs-paranormal-infographic.html (I suspect the number of Americans who really believe in ESP is actually much higher, and close to 100%, but they are not necessarily ready to admit it in a poll).

Now, regarding Renier's claims, even if some moderate and polite skepticism is appropriate (and perhaps sometimes even more than that, see Daylightstar's post above), I think they are not necessarily as absurd and illogical as they may seem at first sight. Take for example her "prediction" of the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. This idea was probably present in John Hinckley, Jr.'s mind a few hours before he shot at Reagan, and even also perhaps a few months before. Then, Ms. Renier, who is perhaps a sensitive lady with an interest in criminal affairs, could have correctly perceived this idea through ESP or telepathy, way before the crime took place. There is nothing irrational and unscientific here.

AND: how much you like a book is in no way an indication of the quality of the book. Popularity and quality are not synonomous and frequently are completely in opposition to each other, Credible examples of same would be Jacqueline Susann (popular but low quality) and Charles Dickens (popular and high quality). The measure on Amazon is popularity - and includes what I like to call an idiocy quotient - the people who review an item badly due to how well it was shipped or how long it took to arrive.(that is meant to be in reviews of shipping/shipper which are separate from reviews of product).