Sam Harris

Ah, the physicist reviews the psychologist.  Of course, us folks who have had rigorous training in a real science can be condescending towards those who are in some area that really ought not be a science at all because they don’t have six plus digit accuracy….  Why, even those biologists are not real scientists!  And a real man doesn’t need Cialis to keep an erection going for over four hours, does he.

“Sander”
We were doing very well and I already started to see the benefits of his method when he told me to buy a book and read it.
It is “The 7 habits of highly effective people” by Mr. Stephen R. Covey.
It said on the cover that it has sold more than 15 million copies so I delved into it with as little cynicism as I could muster.

After 23 pages I was appalled by the relentless platitudes, quotations and ‘baked air’. It turned out to be yet another self-help book that any pompous buffoon could have written after spending 3 hours in Borders browsing though pop-psychology drivel….

Sander, I really appreciate your post about Mr. Covey.  I had a horrific experience with his little jewel of a book a couple of years ago when the administrators of the school district I work for decided that all of the staff at my school would be required to read the book and then attend a seminar (basically a day’s worth of watching Mr. Covey on successive video tapes) teach his 7 habits to us. The previous year there had been a lot of “conflicts” between the staff and the administration and so this was (in my view) one of our punishments for being a tad too vocal in certain matters of dissent.

To make a long story short, it was a complete waste of time, the staff found it pompous and boring and it did nothing to improve staff moral. Ironically, the principal of the school (who was also an ordained minister and the one pushing for the seminar) got fired shortly thereafter   and 99%of the “negativity” melted away. 

Just know that a small public school in Nebraska used this BS for staff development.  And also keep in mind that all of the 30 plus people forced to attend the training did it at the expense of taxpayer dollars and partially funded by the local NEA (National Education Association.)

A few months ago I came across the jewel in my closet.  I had stuffed it into a box and forgotten about it. I ended up throwing it in the dumpster.  Later I thought, in some cases maybe book burning would be acceptable.

Dee - 18 September 2008 07:19 AM

The Mormons are still a little crazy, but they are not bad, cruel,indecent,inhumane, persecuting, unfair,degenerate, barbaric or diabolical . Generally speaking, that is. It wasn’t always this way. They have turned over a better new leaf in the past half century or so.

So why do so many hate them so ? The only real hateful thing about them is their repulsive missionary manipulation . I find their hypocrtical huge financial dynasty disgusting also. A lot of that money comes from the 15% of the paychecks donated ( actually it is mandatory )by their patrons. They own a staggering amount of money. But otherwise they are just a bunch of pathetic suckers who have a sponge for brains . ( I hope my sister never hears me talking that way ! It would be heartbreaking for her .)

They knocked on my door one day. I saw who they were immediately and the devil on my left shoulder said, “Let’s have some fun.”

“Can we come in for a moment?”

“Sure, but first let’s say a prayer.”

I raised my hands high, and they both dutifully bowed their heads. I looked to heaven and spoke in my most sepulchral voice.

“Lord Baal, thank you for answering my prayers and delivering not one, but two humans for our sacrifice to you this day! You are truly beneficent!”

I looked down to invite them in, but for some reason they had already made it to the sidewalk and were moving rapidly away.

They haven’t been back.

burt - 19 September 2008 03:58 PM

Ah, the physicist reviews the psychologist.  Of course, us folks who have had rigorous training in a real science can be condescending towards those who are in some area that really ought not be a science at all because they don’t have six plus digit accuracy….  Why, even those biologists are not real scientists!  And a real man doesn’t need Cialis to keep an erection going for over four hours, does he.

Do you ever show humility?

Argo - 22 May 2009 10:44 PM

burt - 19 September 2008 03:58 PM

Ah, the physicist reviews the psychologist.  Of course, us folks who have had rigorous training in a real science can be condescending towards those who are in some area that really ought not be a science at all because they don’t have six plus digit accuracy….  Why, even those biologists are not real scientists!  And a real man doesn’t need Cialis to keep an erection going for over four hours, does he.

Do you ever show humility?

Read the thread, including Salt Creek’s postings, and learn to recognize sarcasm.

burt - 23 May 2009 01:51 AM

Argo - 22 May 2009 10:44 PM

Do you ever show humility?

Read the thread, including Salt Creek’s postings, and learn to recognize sarcasm.

I don’t think you can “learn” to recognize sarcasm.  The inability to recognize it is like a form of autism for which, apparently, there is no cure.  Many people seem to suffer from it.  Hence, emoticons.  Which I hate.  In fact, I think using emoticons is one of the seven habits of highly irritating people.

I feel the sensation of having made an idiot of myself, but until I figure out how, I’ll add this comment.

Two of the Seven Habits of Highly Irritating People

(I just realized #2)

1.  Using emoticons.
2.  Saying (or writing) the word, “anywho.”

Antisocialdarwinist - 23 May 2009 10:30 PM

I don’t think you can “learn” to recognize sarcasm.

Is that aimed at me or burt?

Argo - 25 May 2009 01:59 AM

Antisocialdarwinist - 23 May 2009 10:30 PM

I don’t think you can “learn” to recognize sarcasm.

Is that aimed at me or burt?

Burt, obviously.  If you knew me, you’d know I would never stoop to taking cheap shots at the sarcasm-challenged.

I thought this was a forum for Sam Harris’ website.  I thought people would be making an effort to think critically in their discussions.  But it doesn’t necessarily appear to be the case.

People get the name of the book wrong.  It’s ‘Effective’ , not ‘Successful’.  Bit of a difference there.

Also, it’s pathetic and alarming to read people on here who say they ‘hate Mormons’.  Good fucking grief.

Criticize their beliefs, poke holes in their arguments, even laugh at them.  But hate them?  Not helpful.
If you’re posting on this site, I assume you are in some way interested in Sam Harris and his skill and clarity in thinking.  Many of the comments in this thread lack any critical thinking at all. 

I’m in no way a theist, but you must be quite immature to say you ‘hate Mormons’.  Weak. Any useful analysis will have to go a little deeper than that.

Also, I’ll defend the book in question a little.  One of his ideas in the book is centered around the idea of mission statements.  It’s probably an overused buzzword at this point, but it’s a useful concept.  My wife and young daughter and myself use this idea. We talk about where we’re at, where we’d like to be as a family and as individuals.  It’s a valuable teaching concept for a growing mind.  Planning, communicating, re-evaluating your decisions.  I don’t see what’s wrong with that. It can be a life-long tool that can serve you well.

I’ve always thought that I take my wisdom where I can find it.  With the over-the-top criticisms that some are leveling at this book, they may miss out on some useful ideas.

I’ll just welcome myself to this forum now.