Dianetics - for the Youtube generation

[Big Les]

No, I don't mean the new Scientology attempt at their own video streaming site. This is actually (for now at least) on Youtube itself.

For those of you (and I do sympathise) who don't fancy reading the mind-numbing trash that is "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health", or any other of the Dianetics (as opposed to Scientology)-based books by L Ron Hubbard... why not take a look at the leaked DVD version on Youtube? For those of you who have read around this bit of vintage pseudoscience still hawked to the unwary, this will be nothing new.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4

 

[Eos of the Eons]

In Edmonton I walked into a scientology facility and watched a video on peoples and circles. It wasn't as bizarre as the book I bought afterwards-the actual book "Dianetics". Both the book and the video opened my eyes to how stupid scientology is, but both were meant as recruitment materials. How anyone falls for that hooey, I'll never know.

 

[Big Les]

Lack of science education has to be a big part of it. As dianetics is based upon (flawed) observation and inference regarding the way the mind works, it's easy to relate to if you haven't already learned something about it. It has an easy "in" because everyone knows that your memories affect your subsequent life, and most people would jump at the chance to blame their present issues on something that isn't directly their fault. It's very attractive, and something Scn has in common with other woo (e.g. indigo children).

The other main component to falling for this BS is of course a lack or impairment of critical thinking skills - often because of personal circumstances - drug or other addiction, relationship problems, money worries (Co$ doesn't care where you find the money for their courses), a broad range of psychological problems, and even outright mental illness. All the things that allow otherwise intelligent people to believe any form of woo really.

 

[Moochie]

Not to mention that this video presents a very simplistic and distorted version of some forms of traditional "talk therapy," as practiced by the psychiatric profession that the Co$ takes every opportunity to dismiss.

I have no doubt that in some circumstances people undergoing such "counseling" may occasionally have moments of genuine insight, but the price they end up paying, not just in monetary terms, is unconscionably high, IMO. Apart from which, there are some excellent books available that help you achieve similar insight into what may be troubling you (assuming you're a run of the mill neurotic like probably 99% of the population) available from your local bookstore. In most cases these books can be purchased second-hand for a few dollars. For those with more severe emotional/mental difficulties, shop around for a decent counselor that has verifiable credentials. No person with any integrity is going to ask you to believe in the sort of gibberish spouted by a phony religion such as $cientology.

M.