--- In [email protected], "sparaig" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Did someone put gigantic meta-quotes around the entire thing? > It's editing a news article for Believer's consumption, but > hardly the worst thing that could have been done. I mean, > which substantive facts were changed?
You've inadvertently put your finger on something important here, Lawson. The article was rewritten for *Believers'* consumption. There was no expectation of presenting the article to *non-TMers* in its edited form, as far as I can tell. Think that through. If the products sold by a group are really producing the results claimed in its promotional materials, does the group have to keep churning out edited promo materials to convince the *people who have already purchased the product* that it's popular and that they should thus stick with it? Now think about the "TM science?" Who is its *real* target? Is it a skeptical public? Well, given the fact that much of the general public looks askance at the validity of the studies, do you honestly think they the intended audience? I would suggest that the reason the studies are being done is exactly the same as the reason the article was edited -- as propaganda materials for those who have never *had* (or rarely had) the experiences that were promised to them, and who thus need something to cling to to give them hope that such experiences are "in the mail," and will show up Real Soon Now. How many years now have you trotted out Other People's Experiences, as quoted in questionable "scientific" studies, as "proof" that TM works as advertised? During that same period, how many of your *own* experiences have you been able to contribute? Before you answer, I should remind you that despite your role as Movement Apologist here, parroting the propaganda on cue every time someone questions TM's effectiveness, you don't believe in TM enough to practice it regularly. Kinda undercuts your act, eh? In the same way, feeling that they have to edit articles about their product to spoonfeed to *existing customers* kinda undercuts the TMO's sales spiel, doncha think?
