Breatharians!

Ahoy,

Today we are going to take a look at the Beatharians! A silly following started by a man named Wiley Brooks. Mr. Brooks claims he has discovered a way to end world hunger; which is people don't have to eat. He believes the human body can live on just air and sunlight alone.

Time for another science lesson!

When we were very young, many of us were taught something very crucial to our survival; we gotta eat! Eating is a way to break down much needed nutrients to fuel our bodies. Currently, humans are NOT solar powered. Perhaps one day we might have solar cells surgically installed onto our scalps, but until then, eating is a good idea!

End of lesson.

Ok ok, I sound a little bit closed minded here. "Maybe it really works?" You ask. Well, maybe it does. The evidence all points to the contrary though. Once you become a Breatharian, you come under the spell of a terrible curse. Many many followers have mysteriously died of starvation! Sweet Jesus! How can this be? A couple of Australian Breatharians were convicted of manslaughter for the death of a young lady during her 3 week fast of absolutely no food. The young lady was found in the Scottish Highlands with a diary talking about Breatharianism, what she was doing, and her final cravings (which included swimming in fruit juice). She also mentioned that she felt the tingles letting her know that the teachings are working.

Last I checked, tingles mean you're not eating/drinking enough.

She died of starvation and exposure.

Now let'ss take a look at the people who spout this literature. Ellen Greve is a Breatharian guru from Australia. She claims to have not eaten for 5 years and lives only on a concoction of 'liquid light.' Reporters who visit her home become surprised to find it very stocked with food (which she claims is all for her husband). The NZARH, The New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists, offered Mrs. Greve $100,000 if she can could go without eating for a month and live solely on the liquid light. Greve declined, claiming she was under investigation from various scientists. 60 Minutes of Australia were also investigating Greve and challenged her not to eat for a week.

She lasted 4 days. DEBUNKED!

Ellen Greve is a fake! Fake fake fake fake fake!

And what of Wiley Brooks whom we spoke of earlier? He was caught in a 7-11 digging into a chicken pot pie, packet of Twinkies, and washing it down with a Big Gulp!

Faker! Wiley Brooks is a FAKE!

Of course, with the true side of Wiley Brooks was exposed, the credentials of the Breatharians was ruined overnight. Many left the following. Unfortunately the die-hards claimed that Wiley's being found out as a closet eater to be a cruel hoax!

'No, no no, Brooks really WASN'T eating a chicken pot pie! He was just holding it and tasting it!'

Or some such nonsense.

So people, what have we learned today? It's good to eat!

On that note...I'm gonna make some pancakes!

-Doc

10-14-08's and Science Fiction

For those who don't know what the 10-14-08's are all about (no, it's not a spin-off of The 4400. They probably wish they were, though) They are a group of people who believed a gigantic 'Light Ship' was going to present itself to earth on October 14th, 2008. They believed this because a woman who hears voices in her head (or is a fraud. see 'psychic') told them it was going to happen.

When it didn't happen many still remained devoted.

The transition of the 10-14 followers from the start (believers in an alien arrival that
never happened) to their current incarnation (seemingly a cult awaiting for the arrival of
these same aliens motivated only by the word of a psychic channeler and her word) has me
stumped.

Don't get me wrong. I would love to see the aliens land. In fact an alien invasion would be
the most exciting way for the world to end! I'll admit that when I was a teenager I grabbed
up every UFO book there was. I still watch that movie 'Communion' on a regular basis (itself
based on the writings of another kook and known liar; Whitley Strieber)

I've grown away from that since. I still do find the concept of alien visitation to be
exciting. I've just moved more to science-fiction to get that thrill rather than speculating
whether blurry photos from every Tom, Dick and Harry might be an alien visitation.
Some people seem to go the opposite direction. They like their science-fiction a little too
much. It's understandable really. The earth of the Star Trek universe is Utopian. Living on
board the Galactica is excitement at every turn. Travelling through Stargates and exploring
new worlds would be the greatest job in the world. Hell, I've been daydreaming about being a
companion in the TARDIS since I was about 5.

Now before you stop me in my tracks and say 'reasonable people know the difference between
fiction and reality' I must remind you of one thing: Jedi is now an established and official
religion in many countries. We now have over 500,000 registered Jedi around the world.
Let me reiterate.

500,000 people base their beliefs on a religion thought up by a man who made Jar-Jar Binks
and Ewoks.

A common trend I have noticed with the 10-14 crowd is also science-fiction. We have people
sending in videos using alias's such as 'Commander Adama' (although Adama is actually an
Admiral in Battlestar Galactica), Kahless (a Klingon prophet), and even Brad's official
website states 'Share and Enjoy' for spreading his stories via links. 'Share and Enjoy' is
the slogan for the complaints department of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation from
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

We also have examples of popular science-fiction theory being cited as proof of alien
visitation (the Liz Hurley breast cancer light/wormhole being the latest)

I've done my share of science-fiction conventions in the past. I'll admit I am a nerd. I
even wore a towel over my shoulder when Douglas Adams sadly passed away. At these
conventions I have seen my share of people devoting themselves to various new age religions.
Many of these are based around the worship of extra-terrestrials.

Do people want to believe so hard that a life known only in fiction can be achieved that
they are willing to see past the cold hard facts?

Remain skeptical. Please.

-Doc