Customer Reviews

Quantum Psychology: How Brain Software Programs You and Your World

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wow, this is one hell of a book. If you are familiar with Robert Anton Wilson, and have not read this book yet, you will love it. Robots, I mean humans, are programmed by our language that we use, our beliefs, and models of the universe, thus limiting us in understanding life and each other. We often tend to categorize or file everything, everyone, and every situation into certain prejudices. Aristotelian logic puts everything into yes/no, this or that, good/evil, one or the other. Wilson talks about 'maybe logic', as well as general semantics (Alfred Korzybski), dismantles hard 'science', and links quantum theory with our neurological brain patterns. This book, along with the exercises may help you break free of most conditioning, and expand to your mind to infinite possibilities of interactive perception.

Maybe this is what Clinton was referring to in his infamous linguistic/legal moment before the Star Inquisition. All joking aside, this book is a MUST read for anyone wanting to start getting rid of the semantic spooks in their psyche. This undefinable book of wisdom that weaves a coherent thesis out of such diverse topics as semantics, psychology, physics, model agnosticism and subtle humor makes clear better than anything out there just how much our perceptions and behavior are controlled/influenced by embedded language biases. Just learning to write in e-prime (english without the word "is") makes the book a worthwhile experience. Quantum Psychology opened me to a whole new way of thinking and perceiving, and that is something I can say but very few other books. I truly had no idea the robotizing effect language has on our behavior and perceptions--its not a discovery you can be "told"--you must experience it through the exercises in this book. You owe it to yourself to check this one out.

Three important words: "read this book." Three much more important words: "Do the exercises." Some readers may have already encountered the main principles of this work, either in other books by RAW or by studying general-semantics; I still think it a valuable epitome of some very useful ideas. If nothing else, I think it would reduce the number of Internet arguments that start with "As you could plainly see if you had simply READ what I WROTE ..." which would certainly rank as an improvement in MY world.

I approach anything with "Quantum" in the title with a skeptical eye, as I feel the current fashion for explaining everything from ghosts to the impossibility of artificial intelligence by reference to quantum uncertainty, quantum coupling, etc., could use either a strong dose of real physics or just a good long rest. On the other hand, many people still live in the clockwork universe of Newton or even the commonsense world of Aristotle, years after the work of Einstein, Schroedinger, Heisenberg, Goedel, "etc.," revealed the cracks in the foundations of classical and naive physics and mathematics, so anything that raises awareness of these changes in the intellectual climate will have some good effects down the line.

I once referred to general-semantics as "21st Century Zen Epistemology," which might fit _Quantum Psychology_ as well. RAW has laid out a series of observations and a program of exercises that can, quite simply, make your mind work better, unless you are among the one in a scadzillion who has already completed the work.

Please don't fool yourself on this point! Read the book anyway.
Do the work. Do us all a favor, first of all yourself.

This book brings about few concepts that weren't already brought up in Prometheus Rising. Its a Wilson book, so of course its a mind-bender, but its also a repeat, in my opinion. Wilson seems to like to reiterate his many philosophies and theories throughout all of his book with little more added to the soup in each title. This one, in particular, contains group activities suitable for an open-minded (or close-minded I suppose) eclectic party. The setting in which he writes, to the group, reminds me of the feel of groups that meet in the Methodist Church on Monday nights in the basement. Its stuff anyone can do, anywhere in their life, at any time they choose. In a group, its very reinforcing and explorative and thats why I believe Wilson suggests it so heavily. I believe the material IS relevant, but just a tad bit repetitious from Prometheus Rising and points made in Schrodinger's Cat, etc. This is not a detractor because in a world that uses frequency and label control to catagorize our experiences for us, its not so bad to have someone else giving us these messages with both frequency and good content. Please enjoy irresponsibly.

This book revisits the notion that while your brain doesn't actually create the universe, it does create the model of the universe that you are aware of and experience. Many well thought-out concepts; ideal for those who need a different perpective to get them out of a psychological rut. The chapter on the E Prime language was a good laugh. It is the exact opposite of what they taught us in journalism class.
Wilson, as always, inspires. My totally unbiased opinion: he is a national treasure.

I have serious disagreements with R. A. Wilson's whole approach, but I must give the devil his due. This is such a clear and concise presentation of his philosophical system and such an effortless display of understanding of all the most fundamental philosophical issues in the whole history of Western thought (the introduction should be required reading for every freshman humanities student) that only a writer of his education and skill level could possibly have pulled it off. In terms of subject matter it's the same as all his other books (minus his worst excesses), so don't go looking for anything groundbreaking, but if you're new to Wilson or haven't figured him out yet, by all means get this one.

This book is the best practical guide to derailing your ingrained neural pathways. It is rather like a 'How to guide' for paradigm shifting at will or Mindfulness training for the Western Mind. If you want to investigate the roots of perception, this is the book for you.

Robert Anton Wilson has masterfully given you the keys to unlocking previous thought patterns and re-encoding new programs. Sometimes technical, yet always entertaining, you will thouroughly enjoy this book as much as I did. Referring to Korzybski's Non-Aristotelian linguistics to current thoughts in quantum physics, he illustrates a new way of thinking that is conducive to greater perceptions and a broader sense of 'self'.

After reading a majority of Robert Anton Wilson's books, I have formed the opinion that he repeats the same points over and over again through-out his work. I find that he often writes about General Semantics, UFOs, quantum physics, reality tunnels, and weird science. I also think that he revisits these topics to make the same points he has made before.

I also think that the points he makes are well worth repeating, and further more I think that they are could be some of the most important ideas in the world today. Wilson askes us to reconsider everything we think that we know about reality, right down the our use of the word "is." As I read anyone of his books, I find myself time after time challenged to rethink how I view "reality."

I really enjoy reading RAW's work, and this book is not an exception for me. It has been about five years since I have read a RAW book, and I am glad I have waited. Instead of complaining about Wilson covering the same territory twice I am happy to get reaquainted with his views on life the universe and everything.

This book maybe the best example of how to think to get rid of foolish assumptions and certainties. I guess that would bother some that are not willing to accept their own ignorance and do something about it. This book appears to be the best I've read by the author so far, having also read Promethus and Cosmic Trigger, though they all were on similar levels of genius. Sure, there are no exact formulas or prescriptions that will work for everyone, but if nothing in this book works for you then you most certainly have missed the whole point of the exercise of reading in the first place. Not only was Bob a great writer, but he merely reflects his love for reading through not just writing but concrete examples of consciousness stimulation. That maybe worth the price of admission alone, just to enjoy the guy's particular oscillation of thought patterns and waves that he decides to clarify or help the reader tune into serve only to enhance better understanding of not just his point but anybody attempting to make sense. A sorely missed man but he will live on and only grow in appreciation as time evolves and his ideas resurface for many years to come.