tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10721624.post1337533737853026146..comments2023-10-30T12:26:15.822+01:00Comments on Research as a Second Language: The New Yorker in HollywoodThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04858865501469168339noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10721624.post-49346383099235445892011-04-02T14:09:13.747+02:002011-04-02T14:09:13.747+02:00I just finished Tim Parks's latest book, "...I just finished Tim Parks's latest book, "Teach Us To Sit Still: A Skeptic's Guide to Faith and Healing," and this post echoes some of the themes of the book: in his case, he's trying to deal with chronic pain and consulting various people about it, and he ends up using relaxation methods to relieve tension, and finally at a meditation retreat. He's an atheist-materialist who is utterly skeptical (even at the end of the book) about mumbo-jumbo, and his experience with various guru types (and their behavioral tricks) is fascinating.Andrew Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02804655739574694901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10721624.post-39844191781672791732011-04-01T07:13:59.176+02:002011-04-01T07:13:59.176+02:00That's a good point. I don't have some sec...That's a good point. I don't have some secret message that you have to pay extra for.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858865501469168339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10721624.post-71600414767412773232011-03-31T20:51:59.982+02:002011-03-31T20:51:59.982+02:00Yes, but I think you give the same advice in priva...Yes, but I think you give the same advice in private that you'd give in public.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09371893596402673898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10721624.post-79261157292085415972011-03-31T12:21:36.479+02:002011-03-31T12:21:36.479+02:00Yes, blogs have an important aspect of openness. B...Yes, blogs have an important aspect of openness. But keep in mind that I am also a <b>resident</b> writing consultant. So I run writing groups and develop pretty close relationships with some of my authors. A bit like Michels and his patients, I would think.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858865501469168339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10721624.post-32969007690016572012011-03-30T17:09:48.740+02:002011-03-30T17:09:48.740+02:00What makes our blogs uncult-like is their utter tr...What makes our blogs uncult-like is their utter transparency. The methods are out there transparently for all or none to follow. If someone uses writing advice and transforms their life in the process, that's a voluntary decision.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09371893596402673898noreply@blogger.com