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Author Topic:   Supernatural/paranormal activity and the power of suggestion
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 9 of 33 (646746)
01-06-2012 10:56 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by hooah212002
12-31-2011 1:03 PM


Recently, I have been reading "creepy/scary" stories. I have never quite been one who is scared of the dark, even as a child. I was never one that believed in boogie-man or any of that shit. I still don't. However, since I have been reading this stuff, I am getting these.....fears, if you will.
This is strange: I believe that there could be ghosts, but I don't really have these irrational fears you speak of. I could walk right into a "haunted house" with no problems and I don't get that strange feeling when I walk by a dark room.
I only get scared when I actually see something, and its gotta be threatening.
When I walk by a car at night in my parking garage, I feel as though something is in there looking at me. I get the same feeling when I walk by a dark room or dark corner. The thing is: I know full well that the shit is ALL in my head.
Think of it from an evolutionary persepective:
Take a group of primitive humans, some have an irrational fear of the unknown, some don't. Put them next to a questionable bush that may or may not have a lion behind it. The one's who have the fear, will avoid the bush, regardless of the lion. But the ones without the fear, when there *is* a lion there, will be selected against. Eventually, you'll weed out the people who don't have that irrational fear and be left with a population with a lot of people who do.
So, this all has got me thinking. It seems very apparent to me, now, that all the stories of paranormal activity, all the stories of people seeing supernatural activity all must be the mind playing tricks.
I can't agree to that strong of a claim and I don't think it follows that every single story must be the mind playing tricks.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by hooah212002, posted 12-31-2011 1:03 PM hooah212002 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 11:06 AM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 12 of 33 (646762)
01-06-2012 11:45 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by hooah212002
01-06-2012 11:06 AM


Same here. It's only been the past few weeks that I have felt this way.
What's changed? Just you starting to read the scary stories?
I think I am less scared when I see something because that way, I know what I am dealing with.
Unless you see something and you still don't know what your dealing with...
However, I've never actually "seen something" that was terror inducing. At least not in this context.
I've seen too much, I don't know what's real anymore.
Yes, I know full well about this perspective. It actually explains quite a bit.
Indeed.
I don't think it follows that every single story must be the mind playing tricks.
Well, if you've some evidence to say otherwise, not only is here the perfect place for it, I think JREF has some money for you.
Huh? I'm not claiming that the paranormal does exist... read that again.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 11:06 AM hooah212002 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 12:11 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 15 of 33 (646773)
01-06-2012 12:19 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by hooah212002
01-06-2012 12:11 PM


Yes, I guess. I mean, I've never been averse to horror movies or scary stories, but it's not exactly a staple of my entertainment. However, ever since I found reddit/r/nosleep, and been reading those and other creepy shit linked from there, I have felt an unease like never before.
I didn't consider it before I just read Omni's post, but like he says, that susceptibility to suggestibility is an evolved trait as well. So basically, everything that is supposed to be happening is happening.
For example: when I get up early in the morning, I have to flip the lights on in the kitchen and the switch is behind the coffee pot. I get this feeling like there is a hand back there as well. Like I'm going to feel something else back there....
Okay, now you're starting to sound like a wuss
That is a little strange to be that concerned about so litte. Maybe there's other stuff going on in your life that's affecting this besides some scary stories on reddit.(?)
True. However, I think I would prefer to actually see something tangible so I can justify the shit in my head. Me telling myself "moron, it's all in your head" just isn't cutting it.
I'd bet that just telling yourself that its all in your head would not get rid of it, but I don't really know what you can do to reduce these fears. If its bothersome enough, maybe you should go see somebody.
or maybe someone more knowledgable will chime in here.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 14 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 12:11 PM hooah212002 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 18 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 2:36 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


(1)
Message 19 of 33 (646801)
01-06-2012 2:50 PM
Reply to: Message 18 by hooah212002
01-06-2012 2:36 PM


That didn't "concern" me, per se. It was just another one of the little annoyances/nuances that have never been there before. it was just something worth noting. It's not like it kept me awake at night.
Oh, okay. So maybe you were having the same experiences before reading the scary stories but now you're just acknowledging it and/or paying attention to it?
Maybe there's other stuff going on in your life that's affecting this besides some scary stories on reddit.(?)
Very good possibility.
Well, its just weird (to me) that you wouldn't have them before but then you are having them now. But then, I was imagining them being something more than what you've now clarified they are.
However, I don't want this to be some sort of psychoanalysis of myself, nor am I about to divulge too much personal information
Fair enough.
especially since you've already thrown in my face what little I have put out there.
I wish a muthafucka would try to troll me
This thread isn't about me, it's more about the experience. I just used mine as a jump off.
I don't really have those experiences... well, I mean, I have had them, it just doesn't occur during normal turning the kitchen light on experiences.
It's not, really. I think it's just more intriquing than bothersome. Annoying, maybe.
Maybe its just because its in the back of your mind... involuntary suggestion from delving into the scary stories.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 18 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 2:36 PM hooah212002 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 20 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 3:00 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


(2)
Message 21 of 33 (646807)
01-06-2012 3:07 PM
Reply to: Message 20 by hooah212002
01-06-2012 3:00 PM


That is precisely it and that's the fucked up part: that I know that is what it is.
That would be weird...
Yes and no. It's not the kind of thing that keeps me up at night (I don't even have nightmares) and it doesn't make me stop dead in my tracks out of fear, but it does make my palms sweaty, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and constantly feel like something is watching me. For example, when I walk out in the living room at night, out of the corner of my eye, I envision something looking at me through the window. I "see" it in my minds eye but I know it's not there. However, the feeling it gives me is very real...goosebumps and all. but what I "see" in my imagination is just something that was described in a story I read or a picture of some ghoul.
I bet if you concentrate on convincing yourself, in the moment, that its all a bunch of bullshit and that you're not *really* scared, then over time you can undo the suggestive stuff that is still new to you.
Just walk around like a BAMF all the time thinking: "you scaries betta watch yo'self" "I dare you to have your hand behind the coffee pot... I'll rip your fingers off".
You just gotta know that you're more badass than they are, and know that they know that... and that's why they're not really going to fuck with you. its your house, they're the ones out of place... they ain't gonna do shit and you know it.
Like a boss!
That's how I roll and it works.
Oh, and if you're wrong, then at least you'll have confirmation of the supernatural/paranormal!
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 20 by hooah212002, posted 01-06-2012 3:00 PM hooah212002 has seen this message but not replied

  
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