Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Wanna read something really interesting?

  1. #1
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Wanna read something really interesting?

    I just finished a book that might be of interest. It’s called “What Happens When We Die” by Sam Parnia MD, PhD. He’s made an indepth study of Near Death Experiences (NDE’s) and actually attempted to test them (with interesting results, but of limited utility to the question at hand) and is very much grounded in science. It’s a fascinating read on a topic close to us all. Although I found the topic of NDE's interesting, I actually found his look at the nature of human consciousness even more interesting. A short review:

    WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE is the title of a book by Dr Sam Parnia, MD, PhD, one of the world's leading scientific and medical researchers into NDEs (Near-Death Experiences).

    Dr Parnia is a British-born medical specialist in pulmonary (lung) and critical care medicine.

    Dr. Sam Parnialeader into afterlife research, with his outstanding studies that started when he worked at Southampton University and Southampton Hospital in the UK. This has since been followed by further research in the USA where Dr Parnia is today Fellow in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the very prestigious Cornell University, as well as working with some of the leading hospitals. Dr Parnia is also the Chairman of the Horizon Research Foundation.

    Because he works daily with emergency care patients, many often being in critical as well as near-death situations, Dr Parnia is in a position to be able to deal with death and dying. It is because of being exposed to patients who have had NDEs and/or OBEs that his interest in this area started and has now developed into what it is: world-leading research and also this book. It is something anyone wanting to know more about the medical and scientific aspects of such things should read. It is also well written and very interesting, as well as illuminating and enjoyable.

    The foreword is written by eminent medical person, Dr Peter Fenwick, BA, MB, BChir, DPM, FRC Psych, a consultant neuropsychiatrist and neurophysiologist to the Institute of Psychiatry in London, who poses a question that so many are now asking and on which Dr Parnia offers information, if not entire explanations, in his book: "Does the near-death experience occur and consciousness indeed continue when all brain functions are absent - something our current neuroscience regards as impossible - or does the near-death experience occur either before or after the cardiac arrest, although it is interpreted by the experiencer as occurring during unconsciousness?" This, of course, is something touched on in some of the many stories told in either of our own books, Death - The Ultimate Orgasm? and The Dying Experience and Learning How to Live, even if they are only anecdotal and thus not valid scientifically.

    Dr Fenwick also expresses the hope that "after reading this story, wonderfully told by Dr Parnia, not only will more people develop an understanding of what happens when we die, but that more scientists, philanthropists and forward-looking scientific bodies will agree to conduct and support the next stage of this research and so help to push forward one of the final frontiers of neuroscience."
    A cunning linguist...

  2. #2
    God/dess
    Joined
    Feb 2002
    Location
    OUTTATHISWORLD
    Posts
    7,219
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    thanks, I always enjoy reading this type of stuff.


  3. #3
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by LoveSexMoney View Post
    thanks, I always enjoy reading this type of stuff.
    Highly recommended if you dig the topic.
    A cunning linguist...

  4. #4
    God/dess pookie's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    3,508
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 36 Times in 6 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    ahh..! now i wanna know more without reading it!




  5. #5
    Featured Member francescadubois's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    1,595
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Cool, Will!! Thanks!
    "I came in like a lamb, but I intend to leave like a lion."

    -Sade
    Quote Originally Posted by Mastridonicus View Post
    The only thing a person hates more than being a sex object, is NOT being a sex object.
    Quote Originally Posted by TigersMilk View Post
    If you should your way through life you'll be should-ing all over yourself later.
    Quote Originally Posted by TheSexKitten View Post
    Finger pointing is awesome!! No really, it gets things done.

  6. #6
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by pookie View Post
    ahh..! now i wanna know more without reading it!
    Read it! As you might expect, more questions than answers at this point. However, the questions raised pretty damn interesting and now in the realm of science vs just philosophy or religion, such as is the mind just a function of the brain or are they actually separate? Some extremely prominent neuro scientists feel the mind is actually separate from the brain and it’s an ongoing debate.
    A cunning linguist...

  7. #7
    OdysseusNJ
    Guest

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by Will View Post
    now in the realm of science vs just philosophy or religion, such as is the mind just a function of the brain or are they actually separate? Some extremely prominent neuro scientists feel the mind is actually separate from the brain and it’s an ongoing debate.
    Not that the topic isn't interesting but really the bridge to science is hardly new, it's been there since Descartes (yes he was a scientist/mathmatician as well as a philospher, they don't call them "Cartesian" coordinates for nothing).

    That whole "mind is separate from the brain" actually sounds like Cartesian dualism to me anyway. I recommend Daniel Dennett if you want a scientifically informed modern view on consciousness, although be prepared for how boring and overlong his writing can be. He's firmly in the "not separate" camp.

    Anyway, not trying to be catty, yay for a nice erudite thread!

  8. #8
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by OdysseusNJ View Post
    Not that the topic isn't interesting but really the bridge to science is hardly new, it's been there since Descartes (yes he was a scientist/mathmatician as well as a philospher, they don't call them "Cartesian" coordinates for nothing).

    That whole "mind is separate from the brain" actually sounds like Cartesian dualism to me anyway. I recommend Daniel Dennett if you want a scientifically informed modern view on consciousness, although be prepared for how boring and overlong his writing can be. He's firmly in the "not separate" camp.
    Dennet is covered in the book as are many other people, including Nobel Prize winning neuro scientist who is convinced the brain and mind are two different things as well as many other theories/people covered. If it's a topic you are interested in, it's worth reading.
    A cunning linguist...

  9. #9
    Featured Member Jezzebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Wales, U.K
    Posts
    1,313
    Thanks
    67
    Thanked 100 Times in 60 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Will, I adore it when people become passionate about a theory or book or both. I did once.........kinda believe in life after death. But Now Im going through a sceptical phase and am afraid to read that book `right now` as to not rock the boat
    Doesnt mean I wont remember this book in a few years.

    I still adore the fact that people are open minded and passionate though.
    A civilian spends money to look good
    A stripper looks good to make money
    A civilian may be after your wage
    A stripper laughs at your wage

  10. #10
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jezzebelle View Post
    Will, I adore it when people become passionate about a theory or book or both. I did once.........kinda believe in life after death. But Now Im going through a sceptical phase and am afraid to read that book `right now` as to not rock the boat
    In what way? He simply provides evidence on both sides of the fence, and leaves it to the reader more or less to decide at this point, as true objective data does not exist, though he did attempt to set up a study that examined NDEs .

    Quote Originally Posted by Jezzebelle View Post
    Doesnt mean I wont remember this book in a few years.
    Your call kiddo, but the only way to go from less or more sceptical about a topic is to read/research what obective info exists, and this is a good place to start.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jezzebelle View Post
    I still adore the fact that people are open minded and passionate though.
    The author is clearly open minded about it, though from his tone, I get the sense he's less skeptical about the possibility that NDEs are real vs a fantasy generated by the mind when it's dying (as some believe), but that's mostly conjecture on my part.
    A cunning linguist...

  11. #11
    Featured Member Jezzebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Wales, U.K
    Posts
    1,313
    Thanks
    67
    Thanked 100 Times in 60 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    I was on about you, not the author, and it was a compliment *rolls eyes* LOL
    A civilian spends money to look good
    A stripper looks good to make money
    A civilian may be after your wage
    A stripper laughs at your wage

  12. #12
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jezzebelle View Post
    I was on about you, not the author, and it was a compliment *rolls eyes* LOL
    Oh, then I am an idiot.

    Thanx for the compliment! Much appreciated.
    A cunning linguist...

  13. #13
    God/dess xdamage's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2004
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    5,449
    Thanks
    74
    Thanked 165 Times in 119 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    The question is not if you have a mental orgasm when you die, but if you keep on having them if you stay dead. So far only the first has been answered. Those who stayed dead... still unknown.

  14. #14
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Quote Originally Posted by xdamage View Post
    The question is not if you have a mental orgasm when you die, but if you keep on having them if you stay dead. So far only the first has been answered. Those who stayed dead... still unknown.
    That one will be hard to answer no doubt, but there are still plenty of questions that remain to be answered way before we get to that one.
    A cunning linguist...

  15. #15
    God/dess Will's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Boston-ish
    Posts
    2,328
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 505 Times in 289 Posts

    Default Re: Wanna read something really interesting?

    Thought this would make a worthy addition to this thread. A Dr. Alexander, a Neurosurgeon, had an interesting NDE he's claiming as proof of heaven in his new book:

    "Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife"

    "Proof" as would be considered conclusive by scientific standards? No. Interesting, yes.

    Interview with the doc in vid:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN8bsq2Ic-4

    He has others, but I liked this one. However, Dr Alexander also has some worthy critics:

    http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/this-must-be-heaven

    Conclusion? I remain interested and open minded to the topic, but require science based evidence before I'd be able to "believe" it's happening outside our own brain.
    A cunning linguist...

Similar Threads

  1. Wanna get pissed off? Read this!
    By Bambalina in forum Camming Connection
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 08-24-2011, 02:26 PM
  2. A long - but interesting - read
    By Miss_Luscious in forum Member Boards
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-30-2008, 06:00 PM
  3. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-25-2008, 03:31 PM
  4. Interesting read
    By PhillyDancer1982 in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-15-2006, 06:05 PM
  5. Interesting enough read...
    By MeganS in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 12-10-2004, 10:02 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •