I've been trying to understand how quantum mechanics is supposed to support the create-your-own-reality hypothesis for 25 years, and have read several books toward that end, but I don't really have a handle on it. How is it supposed to work mechnically: life is a wave of infinite potentiality, and you particularize the reality you want by focusing your attention on that reality?Maker55 wrote:What I was talking about isn't really "New Age".
All you have to do is understand quantum physics.
I'm not saying The Secret is wrong -- my own experiences pretty much validate it. But bear in mind that the supposed sages this Australian woman dug up are mostly American hucksters. Dr. Joe Vitale, for instance, is a doctor of metaphysics, said doctorate acquired from some diploma mill probably not requiring attendance, rather than an accredited university. Again, that doesn't mean he's wrong, but I assure you his primary expertise is in how to shake people loose of their money. This is a proud tradition in the US, going back 150 years when this body of knowledge was called New Thought metaphysics, which was marketed with great success mostly to older women. Read The Positive Thinkers for an academic discussion of the movement.
And just bear in mind that The Secret is an American point of view, and doesn't arise in societies where people are supported in meeting basic human needs by the cultures they live in. It is part and parcel of American individualism, and the idea that we can solve all of our problems individually, so there is no need of political, collective solutions. It is part of what keeps the US de-politicized and unable to address its considerable social problems.