Movie- What the Bleep do we know?

Just wondering if anyone has seen this movie?


Our local library has this movie and Waking Life, another good movie.

This movie was really interesting. Very good movie for thinking etc. Quantum physics without making myself feel stupid about not knowing much about math.

I just love how they put this movie together. Just wondering if anyone had seen it or not. I'm sure there are a few members here who have watched it.



One of my favorite scenes, the wedding scene where the guy freaks out about the polka music lol.

I think I'm addicted to my emotions sometimes too
I loved the peptide animation with the cells, such a cool movie

[Mind]

That movie gave me goose bumps the first time i watched it. Has some real great stuff to ponder on.
But on the other hand, cant always be sure some of the scientist dont have there own agenda, i mean i just hope there genuine.
The neural peptide information almost always makes me look smart in a conversation.
Cool movie none the less.

Very cool movie. I have read many books about quantum physics and this movie really is good for the layman.

Originally Posted by dial8

Very cool movie. I have read many books about quantum physics and this movie really is good for the layman.

I agree Dial8! I'm very layman It was nice because I could follow it and understand the idea of infinite possibilities without a lot of scientific mumbo jumbo to confuse me.
I also like how they use the characters life to tell the story.

Mind, I know, I thought some of the folks talking were talking from their own agenda. Like the lady talking about religion, they start out saying infinite possibilities, then later she says, God (the idea of God) and sinning, its impossible for us to sin against God. What happened to infinite possibilities????? Thats just one thing I nit-picked on, but overall really enjoyed the explanations etc.

[jjoj]

I saw it and liked some parts of it, but the majority of it sounded fishy...

Here's what one guy thought of the movie, taken from his blog:

"Last night I went to see a movie which was advertised as being about quantum physics, called “What the Bleep Do We Know?”. I was expecting something pretty dumb, but am always interested to see what people think about quantum mechanics. The film surpassed all expectations; it was certainly the stupidest thing I can remember seeing in a movie theater, and that’s saying quite a lot (I see a lot of movies…).

There was some sort of plot involving a woman photographer (played by Marlee Matlin), who wanders around and has anxiety attacks. Interspersed with the plot were interviews with various supposed scientists with something to say about quantum physics, consciousness, God, etc. On the whole they were a bunch of complete flakes, although one of them (David Albert) is a philosopher of science here at Columbia. Evidently Albert claims he was taken advantage of, that his interview was heavily edited to misrepresent his views.

The general idea was that since quantum mechanics supposedly says that there isn’t one reality, but an infinite number of possibilities, one just has to be enlightened to an awareness of this, and then you can make whatever you want happen. Somehow the main character of the movie was learning these amazing facts about quantum physics, and this then helps her deal with her anxiety attacks, bad body image and sex addiction (the film really goes off the rails in a bizarre scene where she is the photographer at a wedding party that turns into a grotesque kind of orgy).

The film has a web-site, and there is a long article in Salon explaining that the whole thing is really the production of a cult based in the Pacific Northwest that believes that a woman named JZ Knight is able to channel a 35,000 year old mystic named Ramtha. She does play a large role in the movie and you can read all about her nonsense here.

The whole thing is really moronic beyond belief. One of the scientists interviewed is John Hagelin who, besides being part of the TM cult surrounding Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, presidential candidate of the Natural Law Party, and “Minister of Science and Technology of the Global Country of World Peace” is a rather prominent particle theorist. Prominent if you go by citations that is. His 73 papers are mostly about supersymmetric GUTs and considered quite respectable, with a total of over 5000 citations, including 641 citations for one of them alone.

Hagelin was a grad student at Harvard when I was an undergrad and I met him when we were in the same quantum field theory class. A roommate of mine was interested in TM and I think it was he who introduced us. I remember Hagelin wanting to discuss how quantum field theory could explain how TM’ers were able to levitate, something about how they did this by changing the position of the pole in the propagator. The fact that someone who spouts such utter nonsense can get a Ph.D. from Harvard and be one of the most widely cited authors on supersymmetric models is pretty remarkable. "
http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/?p=83

[Beastmaster]

But on the other hand, cant always be sure some of the scientist dont have there own agenda, i mean i just hope there genuine.

I think its funny that you say this, as it is my opinion that they (the scientists) were the ones calling for the viewers to 'think for themselves' and independantly analyze what you are hearing from the various talking heads in the movie.

I think that it had lots of good points, but mixed in was a bunch of baloney.

Take the water crystals for instance. You're lead to believe by the movie that mean words will affect the molecular structure of water crystals. But if you look close, the negative words were placed on polluted gutter water and the positive words on purified mountain spring water. That was it, no reverse labeling either cuz obviously words don't affect water.

There's more i could say but I don't want to bash the movie cuz it was entertaining and had some good points, but taking a grain of salt with that movie is definatley recommended.

(edit) eh, jjoj beat me to it...

Taking a grain of salt with anything is recommended. Always question, people, that is what makes progress.

[doobydoobydoo]

Hmmm, never seen it, but sounds rather interesting...

I'm not all smarty pants scientific, so for me the movie was a fun look at the basics of limitless possibilities and basic free thinking of questioning reality.

It was a movie after all, and that says its for entertainment. Its meant to make me question and look at things differently, but not take it as truth.

I still really enjoyed it, and the water crystal part, I only recognized that because I think someone posted on this board about that before and there was discussion. I think it was mostly in the movie to show an example of how the character (Amanda) was viewing herself and life negatively so she was having more negative experiences than positive. Just more of the free thinking of positive possibilities.

Still a cool movie, I did like Waking Life better than this one.

[hallucinogeneti]

I'm always for free thinking. I liked the movie overall just because it got me interested in the quantum mechanics and such. The book is better though cause there's no dumb plot, or crappy actors. I usually use the info to bust on the god squad when they hassle me on the street asking if "I've ever thought about spirituality." hehe

[chem42]

If you're interested in the weirdness of physics, you should really read A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.

^^^that is a good book^^^ Another one is called Wrinkles in Time

Thanks, they have those at the library too

[BuckarooBanzai]

For what it's worth, I can tell you that the science espoused in "What the BLEEP" was all based on very state of the art thinking in quantum/string theory. Lots of those guys have some heated disagreements over certain details of the theory and "BLEEP" tried to present a unified perspective. David Albert, for one, was ROYALLY pissed that the producers "picked and chose" from his theories after he gave them some 8 hours of interview footage!

There really isn't a totally unified string theory. There are lots of bits and pieces but none of them fit together in totality. There is a possibility that string theory is total hokum and will be looked at like the theory of a flat earth some day. There is also a possibility that it's integration into culture will, like the integration of Relativistic thought, bring about milestone in human development.

But, "BLEEP" was, after all, just a movie. The operative phrase to bear in mind is "creative license" and a decent amount of it was taken. Still a good flick, though. As long as it makes me think, I'm up for it. After all, look at all the lunacy that has grown up around simple little flicks with "cult" appeal.

A fantastic book on string theory, by the way, is "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. Nova did a nice series on it that you can see most of on the web:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/

Be forewarned, it is "dumbed down for the masses." Good graphics, though.

"The Elegant Universe" is really a book in two parts. The first half is a laymans' guide to physics from the Greeks through Relativity. A fantastic primer, really. String theory be damned, Greene is super tight on his understanding of physics. Brilliant author and example maker, as well.

The second half is all about string theory. Tons of illustrations and almost no math (no super complicated math at all). It is a HIGHLY recomended read if string theory interests you.

If you take what string theory has to say about reality to heart, it is a specifically philosophical/spiritual way of approaching things. I'm not saying it's right, wrong or indifferent (though I firmly believe it's dead on the right track). Just that string theory represents a very unique and interesting way of considering reality.

Like studying Zen or Relativity, studying string theory will affect your outlook on all facets of life. It will modify your process of thinking because of the utterly bizarre nature of some of the "givens." You can't approach a concept like infinite quantum realities without it twisting your head just a little bit. If you start looking at (and modeling) that concept with mathematics, the twist gets a good bit more interesting and powerful.

I think that the intense philosphic implications of string theory are one of the primary reasons most string theorists tend to come across as zealots with an agenda. They are zealots (of an impopular theory - rough in science circles) with an agenda (of turning scientific thought on it's ear). If even a portion of string theory turns out to be applicable, the implications are far more wide reaching than Relativity's gifts to us. Gifts like the atomic age and solar cells and quantum theory, to name just a few.

If you want to see a VERY interesting movie along similar lines as "BLEEP," check out "Mindwalk." It stars Sam Waterson and was written/directed by Fritjof Capra's son Bernt Amadeus Capra. As a sub-note, I'd slap a nun to have a parent who had named me Amadeus.

"What the BLEEP" is a movie about theories. "Mindwalk" is a movie about application. And it's just a straight up movie. It makes no pretense of being a PBS special, like "BLEEP." No slight intended, by the way, I did very much enjoy the flick. But I have friends with vastly differing opinions. My brother in law thought it was ultra crap. His wife dug it. Different strokes...

Watch "Mindwalk" the first time with a head about half full of fun stuff and I personally guarantee you will have a very interesting time. Even if you are already familiar with Capra's philosphies/approach, it's a good watch. Be forewarned, if Capra's "love can change the world" outlook bugs you, his son's will drive you absolutely batty.

Oh, and the impact of directed emotions on water crystalization structure is an phenomena that has been independently reproduced by a number of experimenters. Thayne's translation of "The Hidden Messages In Water" by Masaru Emoto is available in paperback. It's not an easy read, but it presents some very, very interesting ideas. Be forewarned, Emoto is more than a bit "out there." Personally, I find that appealing. But it bugs the heck out of some folks if the scientist sounds all hippy/dippy/trippy. His pictures say a thousand words, but if you suspect they are staged/faked/rigged, reading his book is kind of pointless.

If you are wondering about how emotional energy can affect basic molecular structures, it's a highly recomended read, despite the roughness of the translation.

If you don't get too hung up on words like "prayer," there are some nice (small) pics of affected crystalization on this site:
http://www.netmar.com/~maat/archive/...iouswater.html

You can find a bazillion more with Google, that's just the first one I saw...

Ahem. "A Brief History of Time" is perhaps the single greatest Relativistic physics text that has ever been written. And it's WAY short. REALLY good stuff. It's been around for a while and I always forget about it. Thanks for that.

Damn...sorry for trouncing on your thread, Freakachino! I just had to blather about that movie and string theory (which I'll blather about continously, left to my own devices). I LOVE showing "BLEEP" to people wh have never seen it and then discussing what they took away from it. So many different lines of consideration are provoked.

Good thread, Sister!

[fish]

As long as we all think out of the box we will be o.k. I think the movie reinforced the idea that we all have more powers than we think. The power of prayer or the power of positive thinking or whatever you want to call it is in our collective ability. We control the world, or at least our perception of the world thru our thoughts and actions.Thus, if you believe you can levitate you can. If you believe there is no hope for humanity then for you at least there is no hope.If you believe the world to be a wonderful place then it will be for you. Madame Blavatsy tried to meld science and our belief systems in her book " The Secret Doctrine ". Worth a look if you are into some heavy reading.

[WeedyResin]

I just had a good time watching it with you Freaky!

[Mind]

Jeez, if you can/know anyone that can levitate, why not make yourself rich, or give the money towards some charity. If you could do so you could get $1,000,000 to donate, spend, or w/e you wish...
these guys want such proof for something so great as to levitate
www.randi.org/research/challenge.html

I like to take consideration into things that dont make me feel warm n cozey when i await sleep.
Not trying to appear narrow minded, i just always have been trying to seperate the bullshit from the icecream. Im still open to all new ideas, thoughts, ect... I just could never help but notice the odd urge, of favouring the thoughts that comfort myself.

Peace

[mellowyellow]

i think you have to be a little naive to think that a two hour movie, marketed to the general public is going to be right on when discussing quantum physics. they are trying to make a profit aren't they? at least there were ideas in the movie that really got you thinking, like how the way you think can effect the things that happen to you. i mean, if you really think about it, it doesn't really matter what happens to you, you ultimatly decide ho your going to feel about it. you can choose to accept the bad things that happen and move on or you can choose to let it effect you. the choice is yours.

i think with everything we watch, we read, we learn, we need to understand that no matter how unbiased the person who made, wrote or taught the information, is trying to be, its still going to be distorted in some manner, for whatever reason. thats why its good to listen, and always be open, but always ask questions and decide for yourself.

im learning everyday, i grew up pretty naive and still am very, but at least im learning. i guess thats the most important thing

[cherkropper]

Along these same lines I wonder what the groups opinions of the Global Consciousness Project would be? http://noosphere.princeton.edu/

[Hippie3]

got to watch the whole movie last night
thought provoking
somethings i knew but needed reminded of
worth a watch and some pondering
also see http://forums.mycotopia.net/showthread.php?t=10390 (Messages in Water [merged])

[chimp]

The book was better but the movie will reach many more people....Thats good....the movie did bring to light alot of things that your average person never has and never would think of outside of their basic existence.(work, house payment, TV, food etc.) Our survival as a species depends on mans evolution to "higher thinking" lets hope more types of info that gets the publicity that this has gotten can get into the "mainstream"

[Hippie3]

i found it intriguing how many of their 'truths'
parallel the psychedelic experience & its' 'revelations'
such as our essential underlying unity,
our power to project our consciousness into another body and see,
our utter inability to disappoint or enrage god,
etc.

[BuckarooBanzai]

Cutting edge particle physics and Zen mysticism say remarkably similar things about the nature of reality.

Check out "Dancing Wu Li Masters." About 400 pages of math and philosophy that basically is an exposition on that first sentence.

The Bhagavad-Gita speaks constantly of all things being of the same essential nature and that the apparent differences are just tricks of perception, tricks of Maya.

The many paralells between Eastern religious philosophy and particle physics are striking.

It is also not suprising that the Newtonian/Descartian world view is so closely tied with Western religion. Christianity, in particular.

Fun stuff to think about.

[infinity]

I watched that movie last year and I loved it. I also watched the directors cut. Allthough they have some weird people on there, they also have some pretty respectable scientist like Fred Allan Wolfe who's work was out as long as 40 years ago discussing particle/wave duality as well as entanglement. Candace Pert is my psychobiology book written at harvard. Science is weird, it doesnt matter what people say because it is true that particle movement is inconsistent with newtonian physics. The subatomic realm is crazy, and it will make you crazy if you try to understand it. If you think that movie is weird, check out this guy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Reich

[infinity]

Originally Posted by BuckarooBanzai

Cutting edge particle physics and Zen mysticism say remarkably similar things about the nature of reality.

Check out "Dancing Wu Li Masters." About 400 pages of math and philosophy that basically is an exposition on that first sentence.

The Bhagavad-Gita speaks constantly of all things being of the same essential nature and that the apparent differences are just tricks of perception, tricks of Maya.

The many paralells between Eastern religious philosophy and particle physics are striking.

It is also not suprising that the Newtonian/Descartian world view is so closely tied with Western religion. Christianity, in particular.

Fun stuff to think about.

I love that book!

[Invader Zim]

they've been playing the hell out of it on showtime and encore...taped it last night

i found it interesting how the deaf chick (the one time miss america) answered/talked on a cell phone in the subway lol...

very awsome movie to watch on .5-1g

[Hippie3]

she wasn't totally deaf,
note the hearing aid in her ears...

[sesshin]

its a great movie if you can get past the fact that its created and paid for a bunch of religious wackos. they bring up some good points however and there are some very intelligent people speaking in the film. i think it does a good job of opening people's eyes to the possibilities of quantum physics in an easy to understand manner.

[Hippie3]

define 'religious wackos' plz and tell us specifically to whom you are referring ?

you seem to be implying
that being religious
and being intelligent
are mutually exclusive terms,
to which i take great exception
and offense
as i consider myself to be
both.

[Mind]

Originally Posted by sesshin

its a great movie if you can get past the fact that its created and paid for a bunch of religious wackos. they bring up some good points however and there are some very intelligent people speaking in the film. i think it does a good job of opening people's eyes to the possibilities of quantum physics in an easy to understand manner.

Hey dude, it wasnt funded by a bunch of religous wackos, it was funded by a man named William James, who funded the movie with software he wrote and sold back in the day. Also, your really missing the point of the movie if you dismissed it thinking religous wackos funded it. But it might help you dismiss the chance of a spiritual reallity thinking this way, wich id understand.
Not saying that i think there is something spiritual about reallity, still, its something i certainly woudlnt dismiss anyday because i try to keep an open mind to these matters for good reasons.
Also, it doesnt have to be translated that way even if some of the answers given in the movie appear to have a spiritual/religous agenda, wich i assume you took them as.
Please enlighten me if im wrong, this is an interesting discussion for me.

Peace

[sesshin]

the "religious wackos" i am referring to are the members of the Ramtha School of Enlightenment that use this movie as a recruitment video. i'm sorry if anyone in this forum is a membership of their organization, but i sincerely truly feel JZ Knight is completely out of her gourd. she claims to channel the 35,000 year old spirit of Ramtha from the lost continent of Lemuria and thats just a little too out there for me. if you buy into that spiel, fine. more power to you.

now i'm not saying that lessens the impact of what the other scientists in the movie have to say, especially William Tiller, John Hagelin, Fred Alan Wolf, David Albert, and Stuart Hameroff among others. they share some great wisdom that has caused me to follow up with further reading. it has been shown though that JZ Knight and associates have twisted and edited the scientists true opinions to more fall in line with her philosophy and several of the scientists were upset by this.

also if you notice everytime JZ Knight is on screen, she only speaks in broad, ambiguous generalities. i personally dont think she shared one "enlightening" thought throughout the entire movie. in fact i feel she dragged the movie down through the sheer weight of her craziness. it would have been an infinitely better film if she hadn't been in it at all. also, Joseph Dispenza, who speaks the most throughout the movie, is only a chiropracter and one of Knight's most devoted followers. so i have to take whatever he says with a grain of salt as well.

[Hippie3]

yes, i'll give you that- she was the oddball that didn't belong.
but i figure that was their nod to diversity
as there were some 'doctors' of divinity to represent orthodoxy.

[tricktek]

God(ess) hopes for more spiritual fruits and less religious nuts

[shroom_seeker]

I finally was able to see the movie tonight - Very Good. It is put together well and had a nice mix of people contributing. The graphics make the movie fun to watch. Agreed that it is a good introductory into quantum physics for a layman like me.

Originally Posted by Hippie3

i found it intriguing how many of their 'truths'
parallel the psychedelic experience & its' 'revelations'
such as our essential underlying unity,
our power to project our consciousness into another body and see,
our utter inability to disappoint or enrage god,
etc.

Interesting isn't it?!

Check out "Dancing Wu Li Masters." About 400 pages of math and philosophy that basically is an exposition on that first sentence.

Oh man my girl has been trying to get me to read that book for two years. I think I will now, just won't tell her that it's b/c Buckaroo recommended it.