> Does anyone know of a good scientist who can talk in an engaging way
about the research behind hypnotism, or this EFT tapping technique that
seems to be en vogue at the moment
Hey Wendy
How anyone can use the words "hypnosis" and "science" in the same sentence
is beyond me - let alone base a science cafe on such nonsense. Then again,
we take astrology to task in our planetarium, so as you say, perhaps this
is an opportunity for you to honestly inform the public.
My suggestions:
1) A comprehensive summary of hypnosis can be found here:
http://www.skepdic.com/hypnosis.html
2) How about inviting James Whittaker, the Royal reporter of The Mirror?
He's a high-profile guy, and has publicly embarassed at least
one 'professional hypnotist', as described here:
-----------------------------
"Life Coach" Bombed
Victoria Hiley writes us from the UK:
"UK television is currently showing a "reality" program, following eight
overweight celebrities in their bid to get healthy. There have been three
episodes so far. They are assisted by dieticians, a US Marine drill
instructor, and a "Life Coach." This "Life Coach" is supposed to help the
celebrities by hypnosis, positive thinking, and "Neuro-Linguistic
Therapy," and she informed them at the start of the series, "I am going to
be in charge of your brain." I assumed that the celebrities who had agreed
to take part would go along with her claims and was fully prepared to find
the show irritating — in fact, I wasn't intending to watch it at all
because of the "Life Coach" aspect.
However, the coach is coming unstuck because one of the celebrities
appears to be a skeptic. James Whittaker, a Royal correspondent for a
popular UK tabloid newspaper, faced her down in the first episode. He
informed her that he had been friends with Princess Diana, a fan of
spiritual assistance, life coaches, and many forms of alternative therapy —
and that none of these people had helped the troubled Diana in the
slightest, although they had taken substantial amounts of her money.
She looked distinctly put out at this. The other celebrities had nodded
and smiled, and had allowed themselves to be hypnotized. James Whittaker
then informed her that if she could hypnotize him, he would give her a
bottle of champagne.
The life coach refused the offer (!), saying that she didn't have anything
to prove, but it seems her bubble has been burst. The following episode
showed footage of a talk she gave. She told the celebrities that they were
overweight because they could not see themselves as thin people, a concept
dragged out over two hours. Three of the celebrities were shown to have
fallen asleep during this lecture.
When Whittaker was weighed, and shown to have done well, she wanted to
take credit for his progress. "Do you still think I'm talking mumbo-
jumbo?", she asked, to which he replied: "No, you've now switched to
gobbledegook."
James Whittaker has lost about 12 pounds, and is way ahead of the other
celebrities in achieving his target weight. I hope he wins."
Hey, Mr. Whittaker, you tell 'em! This "hypnosis/hypnotism" nonsense needs
to be put into its proper place, along with witchcraft, vampires, flying-
by-broom, and rune-casting. (James Randi)
From: http://www.randi.org/jr/020604monk.html
--------------------------
All the best with the science cafe!
Mario Di Maggio
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