Baumblog EST 1968 - A blog for the Baumbachs who originated in Syracuse, NY

You may have seen this on Oprah, or in your local bookstore. The Secret is the latest fad in the "how to be happy" movement.

Rather than spout on about it, I'm going to direct you to Skeptic Magazine's newsletter for this week. Yes, Skeptic Mag is a haunt for mostly atheists and agnostics, but stick with the main article on the Secret and you'll be fine. :)

Of course, by now I'd hope most of you wouldn't fall for this kind of claptrap. The analysis provided in this newsletter does a very good job of explaining why this Secret is well, not very secret and also not very true. Good ammunition to have the next time a buddy tries to let you in on a little Secret of theirs.

Kristen said about 9 hours later

The secret is “The Law of Attraction” that asserts what you think creates what you feel, and these feelings flow from your body as magnetic energy waves over vast distances, which then cause the universe around you to vibrate at the same energy level as your feelings. If your feelings are negative, negative experiences will inevitably flow right back, positive feelings elicit positive experiences."

Humm...I agree that the way you process things around you (thought patterns) will shape your emotions. Everyone has a different perception, and each person's perception is their reality. What the heck does this have to do with magnetic energy?! That's just some pseudo-science they tried to stick in there to make it sound more, well, scientific.

I think it's safe to argue that some of their ideas ring true: if you think negative thoughts more than positive ones, you will probably tend to display socially negative behaviors (withdrawal, picking fights, sullenness, pessimism). People will not want to be your friend.

On the other hand, if you see the world with rosy glasses, you probably feel more confident, treat people nicer, say nice agreeable things, and do things like conform to rules and norms. People will like you (ie be "attracted" to you).

It's pretty much that simple.

They make the arguement that people who think of illness tend to be sick more often. Hypercondriacs--I buy that. But I don't think people think themselves into getting cancer.

You can create your perception of your reality: but your negative energy does not send out vibes that attract poverty, crime, and natural disasters. How could all those mardi gras revelers attract Katrina?!
GJ said about 18 hours later

Exactly. This "theory" takes a worthwhile concept--that your positive outlook on the world does tend to make you a more agreeable person, and you tend to look for opportunity rather than failure, making it seem like you are lucky. However, there is nothing magical about this, and no way does your mind truly affect the material world around you. As soon as you start hearing things about energy, you can pretty much guarantee what you're reading is total bunk.