Detecting New Age baloney

Here are some common statements found in self-help and new age books, films and web pages and what they really mean.

1. I have excluded any scientific evidence to make this book more understandable

Real meaning: I do not have any scientific evidence for what I am saying.

2. The theories described here are outside the realm of science.

Real meaning: I just made this all up and am hoping you will be gullible enough to buy into it.

3. Evolution is just a theory.

Real meaning: I understand neither evolution nor the meaning of a scientific theory.

5. You don’t have to understand it. Just try it.

Real meaning: You have time to waste on something I can’t even explain clearly.

6. Don’t let negative people discourage you from trying out new things.

Real Meaning: Don’t listen to people who criticize my methods. In fact, if you Google my name and the word “sucks” after it, you will likely find more than a dozen hits providing real evidence why I am a fraud.

7. These are natural methods that have been used by our ancestors for generations.

Real meaning: I don’t have scientific evidence that these methods work, so I will resort to a logical fallacy in which I appeal to your sense of tradition. Tradition is not evidence!

8. This method of healing/meditation etc is scientific.

Real meaning: (Common Deepak Chopraish BS). I am presenting ancient religious BS and am trying to modernize it by calling it scientific.

Scientific claims appear in peer-reviewed journals and can be verified or falsified. Many new age Eastern spiritual gurus are notorious for attempting to align themselves with science (especially quantum physics), yet their teachings are far from scientific.

9. This book contains a secret that has been kept away from the public for centuries.

Real meaning: Please buy my book. It contains some “law” that is mentioned in hundreds of other books that are now in the public domain and can be downloaded free online.

10. Big pharmaceutical companies have suppressed this product because it will get them out of business.

Real Meaning: I do not have evidence of any kind that this works. I am trying to appeal to the popular, often mindless, criticism of big business.

Also check out Michael Shermer’s Baloney Detection kit.