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De omnibus dubitandum
Use the Force, Luke
Author: Adamus27 Aug 2009
I came across this today: Jedi Knight Training Event in Belfast!
A part of me really wants to go to this, just to see what it’s all about…. But another part of me – the part called reason – thinks it’s all a gimmicky scam.
“Rory, creative thinking expert and creator of Rory’s Story Cubes, will join me to offer Northern Ireland’s most exciting/only Jedi training event of 2009. Rory and I will explain the famous Jedi Mind-Trick by showing how to gain control over and from the minds of others. Rory will explore the subjects of Energy Psychology and Subtle Energy fields to gain modern insight in the mystical Force. I will then walk participants through the films to see those psychological skills Luke Skywalker gained in becoming a Jedi, and those Anakin lacked in his fall to the dark side.”
I wonder what the practical applications are in modern life. “These are not the tax return forms you are looking for….”
Update: Allen Baird, one of the event’s organisers, has responded in the comments. Be sure to read it, he makes a good point.
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Adamus
Adamus is the online identity of Barry Adams. A Dutchman living in Northern Ireland, Barry / Adamus is an internet fanatic, skeptic, technophile, gamer, and geek. On this personal blog he provides his unpolished view of the world and its insanities.
5 Responses for "Use the Force, Luke"
Hi Adamus. I first taught a version of this workshop at Queen’s University in 2008. It was a non-academic course desiged to attract those who might be shy of traditional formats back into lifelong learning. Really, the Star Wars theme was used as a platform from which to teach personal development skills. This perhaps makes it sound a little dull, but it was a great success in terms of numbers, media interest and student feedback. I don’t believe that making learning a pleasure is a ‘gimmicky scam’ as I’m sure you don’t. We did get into some deep discussions about ethics along the way, but most of my focus was on various psychological concepts like assertiveness, flow and mindfulness. The basis was therefore Western science – ‘reason’ – not mysticism. However, in this year’s workshop, Rory will provide a more ‘Eastern’ bent to the day, which will complement our new Aikido/samurai sword section nicely. I’d love to see you there!
Thanks for your comment, Allen. I have to say it does sound like an interesting way to teach personal development – especially to the usually shy geek crowd. I’m not sure I’m the right audience for this event though – a lack of assertiveness is not something I’m generally attributed with.
Adamus, I sense the truth of what you say. Assertiveness will only be one part of the workshop, albeit an important one. Here’s is my acid test for true assertiveness. Can you apply the spirit of this quote to your darkest enemy? “I disagree with what you have to say but will fight to the death to protect your right to say it.” If you can’t disagree and stick up for your own rights, you’re too passive. If you can disagree but wouldn’t defend someone’s right to disagree with you, you’re too aggressive. Assertiveness balances equal rights for you and others, especially when there is no agreement. Do you agree?
Ah, the famous saying attributed to Voltaire. I’m quite fond of it myself, and have used it on this blog before:
http://www.adamus.nl/?p=907
I’m a fierce advocate of free speech – even if I disagree with what is being said. I believe free speech, without the shackles of political correctness or religious sensitivities, is a vital condition of a truly free and innovative society.
Yea. I wish there was a libertarian type party in NI. I’d vote for it. Free speech should not be balanced off with anything else; it is an abolute. Down with Big Brother in all his nafarious forms!… So how did we get from talking about my Jedi event to me revealing my political ideology? I think you must be using mind tricks on me. Perhaps you should teach the class…
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