I accidentally deleted a long reply to this *facefuckingpalm*.... I'll try again. Also, I dont know how to separate your quote to address each of your arguments so I'll just go in order.
Is it not the same confirmation bias when you conclude that these people merely just wanted the experiences to be shared and profound? Was Dr. Strassman under the same confirmation bias when he discovered his test subjects were having the same experiences at the same time? Im pretty sure, but could be wrong, that Strassman was an atheist at the time so magical thinking didnt make him stray towards an illogical conclusion. I know you can pull up a few examples of confirmation bias in order to put logic on your side, and I understand that logic is on your side, I just kinda view logic as land, and IM ON A BOAT! Exploring stuff lol And I know you think that quite often those kinda boats sink, but I dont see anything negative coming from my exploration and self discoveries regarding the magical side of DMT. Its not really gunna harm anyone in anyway. Because even if Im wrong, it doesnt take away anything from the experience at all. I understand logic is on your side but in this case I dont see it as a big deal to be on the other side of it.
I may have said something previously that conflicts with what Im about to say (though I think I didnt) but I think the objective truths that come from these experiences are of a spiritual nature. I think it would be silly for a being to show us how their spaceships work or what really goes on in a black whole or any other physical phenomenon about the universe because its completely irrelevant if you dont already know yourself and how your mind and your soul function. The experiment I suggested thats similar to what that blogger said could prove the existence of a soul because your consciousness would be in another dimension because of DMT and maybe then these woo woo concepts of spirituality would be easier to understand and practiced.
How is that cherry picking? Im sure you can get profound knowledge about yourself from vague recollections of DMT trips, all it would take is a few images and to be aware of whats happening in those few images. Thats why everyone hears the beings say "Look at this", they want to teach you about yourself. I think my previous paragraph also answers this question a bit too.
Sure we can learn of what happens in that other dimension but it seems to be a place of near limitless possibilities, how can physical science probe that? I dont think what I said was contradictory at all. The major concern for most of the beings communicating with us is that we learn about ourselves which is a little more important than the fact that you're in another world, that just something you need to accept in order to move on. Thats why the beings always say "Dont give into astonishment". I can see how you might relate my personal experiences to the examples you provided but you asked why I believe and Im telling you why I believe. You only have my word that the things I experience are consistent no matter what and have an effect in the real world, and I accept that isnt enough for you. You asked why I believe, not why other people should believe. I havent been sensing animosity recently, if there has been than its equally shared.
Maybe it's just a matter of personal values but I think that finding out that another dimension with beings we can communicate with is equally as, if not more important than finding out about myself. I'm a mere spec on the face of the cosmos. However, a contribution to the future of mankind, especially a huge leap in knowledge such as this is something that transcends my life here, and legacy, IMO, is a way for my life to be meaningful way beyond my mere existence.
I can explain why my position is not confirmation bias by the simple explanation that the most I am actually claiming is I don't know. The problem arises when we make a conclusion based on no additional evidence than mere testimony. I'm not claiming that subjects knowingly colluded or anything like that, I'm only proposing alternative, more mundane, natural explanations and applying Occam's Razor. I'm not claiming I'm right, but given two (or more ) options, I tend to favor the ones that require the fewest assumptions.
I actually think you are picking up and understanding some of our (my) skeptical arguments, at least to some extent. IMO, that's a huge advanced compared to how you were (I perceived you) when you first arrived here.
One thing I am beginning to recognize and appreciate, is that in spite of our disagreements, some of your questions and arguments actually have to make me think a bit. Lately, I have been approaching your posts from the standpoint of-- what if you're right? How do I go about testing your claims. I think the next step is for you to ask the same thing, i.e. can my claims be tested and confirmed or will the always be relegated to mere speculation.
One thing I think you can think about is apply your beliefs to a serious real world situation. Say you are picked for jury duty and the accused's defense is that he was coerced and threatened by interdimensional beings. Ignore the poor legal issues, my question would be that should the judge give you leeway to be lenient or acquit if the defense can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his story is true. How can you determine what he experienced in his own mind, or worse, if he merely made up the story based on knowledge of what occurs during a astral projection or DMT trip. Or even more personal, your mother is extremely ill, a DMT presence tells you how to cure her but the method is considered by every knowledgeable doctor and scientist that it is dangerous, even life-threatening. How sure are you of these being's advanced knowledge? Would you give this toxic 'cure' to your own mother?
Just some things to chew on.
I have to say, your demeanor and style of posting has become so much less adversarial than I used to think it was and I like it. I'm glad you're here.
