She sees things that don't exist.

[FaithlessThinker]

I don't know how to make sense of it. She sees things like fairies. She told me that a long time ago, she read about fairies in some book. At first, it sounded ridiculous to her, but later she saw fairies with her own eyes (or so she says) and then believed in the existence of fairies.

Fairies are just one of the several things that she sees with her eyes. And then she sees things more clearly under the influence of alcohol or similar inhibitors. She has even claimed that she prefers to consume alcohol because (besides other reasons) it enhances her ability to see things more clearly.

She also sees non-existent things more clearly after watching a horror movie which involves these non-existent things, like a movie about vampires and werewolves. When I watch such a movie, I only see it as an entertainment fiction and has no bearing on our actual world. Yet she could talk about the fictional beings in the movie as though they are real, and she claims that watching the movie heightens her "senses".

I have no idea how to make sense of all these and since her science education is very low compared to mine, I can't even get her interest to look at possible scientific explanations to all these "visions" of hers. But she's a walking encyclopedia of supernatural explanations to all these.

 

[MRaverz]

I knew a girl who claimed to be able to see dancing shadows occasionally, fact is these things are only being seen by one person so we can assume that they're either making crap up, very mistaken or have some form of recurring hallucination.

The fact that alcohol and scary films increases her 'seeing' these things, points to it being something wrong with her perception and perhaps simply an over-active imagination.

 

[kenandkids]

A major issue at play is perception. Her perception is being influenced by wishful thinking (wishful need not indicate intention) and mind altering substances. Being that she is relying on sight it means that she is likely placing these images into the blank spaces between "photo" type shots that are part of the process. Our brains fill in the blanks with what we assume to be continuously present, hers is filling in shots of fantasy.

When I was a child, my stepmother frequently insisted that there was a ghost cat who lived in our home. Due to the nature of a child's imagination and the way our eyes work, my mind would occasionally fill in gaps with images of this "cat." I remember, quite vividly, actually tripping over it. My mind grew out of such fanciful imagination and I ceased to perceive this cat. It sounds as if this woman still has a very active fanciful imagination. I hope she works in art or design, she is presumably capable of making a great deal of interesting stuff.

 

[ArthurWilborn]

It possible, but of course unprovable, that what she is seeing is accurate and those things actually exist but only she can see them. This isn't a problem as long as it doesn't influence her behavior too widely.

 

[lrkun]

I don't know how to make sense of it. She sees things like fairies. She told me that a long time ago, she read about fairies in some book. At first, it sounded ridiculous to her, but later she saw fairies with her own eyes (or so she says) and then believed in the existence of fairies.

Fairies are just one of the several things that she sees with her eyes. And then she sees things more clearly under the influence of alcohol or similar inhibitors. She has even claimed that she prefers to consume alcohol because (besides other reasons) it enhances her ability to see things more clearly.

She also sees non-existent things more clearly after watching a horror movie which involves these non-existent things, like a movie about vampires and werewolves. When I watch such a movie, I only see it as an entertainment fiction and has no bearing on our actual world. Yet she could talk about the fictional beings in the movie as though they are real, and she claims that watching the movie heightens her "senses".

I have no idea how to make sense of all these and since her science education is very low compared to mine, I can't even get her interest to look at possible scientific explanations to all these "visions" of hers. But she's a walking encyclopedia of supernatural explanations to all these.

It's a case of patternicity. Seeing patterns in meaningless noise. It's obvious that she has an idea of what fairies look like because of prior exposure to books. Now, she sees them because the pattern can be seen via her altered state of consciousness. Consequently, she's only deluding herself. >.<

 

[MRaverz]

It possible, but of course unprovable, that what she is seeing is accurate and those things actually exist but only she can see them. This isn't a problem as long as it doesn't influence her behavior too widely.

You could prove their existence if you found someone else who claims to see such things and sat them in a room writing down everything they see.

However, if it were the case that these things existed - but didn't interact physically except to be seen by one person, I'd say that there's not a significant enough distinction between their existence and non-existence to make them worth worrying about.

 

[Anachronous Rex]

Somewhat relevant:

 

[FaithlessThinker]

Thanks, the video is very relevant, except for having Godzilla instead of fairies. But he was speaking too fast like a train. I think he could have slowed down a bit.

I actually already have an idea about how our minds can play tricks on us (and you guys increased my understanding by your valuable replies), but the thing is she doesn't understand that and wholeheartedly believes whatever she thinks she is seeing.

I just don't know how to demonstrate to her how our minds are faulty and our thinking can lead us to wrong conclusions, and how media and fiction can influence our thinking processes if we are not wary of it. Even if I attempt to do so, she will get worked up and say that I'm not respecting her right to believe, or right to religion, or something along those lines.

I don't understand how attempting to impart knowledge is disrespectful of one's right to believe. It's not like I'm forcing her to stop believing. I'm only presenting some knowledge for her study and understanding (or scrutiny). It's up to her whether she wants to continue believing even if her newly found knowledge suggests that her beliefs are likely to be absurd.

But the problem is, she would reject outright any presented knowledge if she suspects it to undermine her beliefs, instead of studying and understanding (or scrutinizing) it. And then she would even defend her beliefs by blaming me for being "close-minded" and "not understanding" or "not respectful" towards them. (This sounds a bit like christianity...)

Some of the other things she can see include ghosts (of dead people I suppose, but random people, not people whom she used to know). She has even claimed that one ghost was literally on her face (like putting its face on hers, staring into her eyes) while she was in a highly sexually aroused mode.

I should also mention that she claims to have had past lives, one of which had granted her the privilege to be an Egyptian queen. (Wow!)

 

[MRaverz]

I just don't know how to demonstrate to her how our minds are faulty and our thinking can lead us to wrong conclusions, and how media and fiction can influence our thinking processes if we are not wary of it. Even if I attempt to do so, she will get worked up and say that I'm not respecting her right to believe, or right to religion, or something along those lines.

One way would be optical illusions.

 

[borrofburi]

I just don't know how to demonstrate to her how our minds are faulty and our thinking can lead us to wrong conclusions

Well usually have a nice happy list that I can repaste for these kinds of situations... Unfortunately I can no longer seem to find it.

This would not be on that list, but it is a nice little addition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rCQX_GT_8M

But the problem is, she would reject outright any presented knowledge if she suspects it to undermine her beliefs, instead of studying and understanding (or scrutinizing) it. And then she would even defend her beliefs by blaming me for being "close-minded" and "not understanding" or "not respectful" towards them. (This sounds a bit like christianity...)

This is relevant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T69TOuqaqXI

 

[lrkun]

An old video ^^

 

[Dragan Glas]

Greetings,

The fact that she saw the horror-related ones after watching those films would be a starting point. Most people have such images stuck in their minds - like The Exorcist or Alien.

I remember years ago seeing a film about a woman who was abused by her father: a book was written about her and was made into the film (not !Sybil").

Tests were done on her - she could "see" her father so vividly that his "presence" blocked out a bright light shining into her face (at a suitable distance). When her husband was making love to her, she'd sometimes see her father instead of her husband.

Unfortunately, I can't remember what her name or the book/film was called - Ruby?

Kindest regards,

James

 

[sgrunterundt]

 

[Darkangel]

Hi,

I'm Anon's wife. Nice to know he is posting out things that has to do with me.

I agree regarding illusions, hallucinations and stuff. However, I still believe in what I see as it is my choice.

Now regarding about what he says that I enjoy seeing them when I'm drunk or whatever... That's not really true. Some of them appear good, sweet and nice, but usually, depending on the place I am, I see lots of evil ones; those that purposefully wants to disturb me, scare me and I hate to see them at that point. The reason why I would start blabbering to him.

Anyways, If I hadn't have a believe in all this...I'll probably be an Atheist or be a person who doesn't follow any religion but believes in the existence of God. The reason why I am a Wiccan is cause I want to be and I want to believe in it.

 

[)O( Hytegia )O(]

Hi,

I'm Anon's wife. Nice to know he is posting out things that has to do with me.

I agree regarding illusions, hallucinations and stuff. However, I still believe in what I see as it is my choice.

Now regarding about what he says that I enjoy seeing them when I'm drunk or whatever... That's not really true. Some of them appear good, sweet and nice, but usually, depending on the place I am, I see lots of evil ones; those that purposefully wants to disturb me, scare me and I hate to see them at that point. The reason why I would start blabbering to him.

Anyways, If I hadn't have a believe in all this...I'll probably be an Atheist or be a person who doesn't follow any religion but believes in the existence of God. The reason why I am a Wiccan is cause I want to be and I want to believe in it.

Welcome, other Pagan.

I implore you, though, to prepare for a shitstorm that may or may not be imminent.

 

[lrkun]

Hi,

I'm Anon's wife. Nice to know he is posting out things that has to do with me.

I agree regarding illusions, hallucinations and stuff. However, I still believe in what I see as it is my choice.

Now regarding about what he says that I enjoy seeing them when I'm drunk or whatever... That's not really true. Some of them appear good, sweet and nice, but usually, depending on the place I am, I see lots of evil ones; those that purposefully wants to disturb me, scare me and I hate to see them at that point. The reason why I would start blabbering to him.

Anyways, If I hadn't have a believe in all this...I'll probably be an Atheist or be a person who doesn't follow any religion but believes in the existence of God. The reason why I am a Wiccan is cause I want to be and I want to believe in it.

I can respect that. I am an atheist not because of the lack of evidence for god's existence but I chose to reject the idea of a god.

Of course, I don't understand how you see these good or bad things. Can you explain it in a more specific way?

 

[MRaverz]

Hi,

I'm Anon's wife. Nice to know he is posting out things that has to do with me.

If you had not made yourself known, you would've remained anonymous.
Additionally, it was his choice to ask us about this. Surely you can respect his choice as you encourage us to respect your choice to believe what you believe.

I agree regarding illusions, hallucinations and stuff. However, I still believe in what I see as it is my choice.

[...]

The reason why I am a Wiccan is cause I want to be and I want to believe in it.

Both of these demonstrate that you have no interest in the truth, as such surely your beliefs are simply as unimportant as my favourite colour?

Which begs the question: why did you make this post?


Oh and on "I'll probably be an Atheist or be a person who doesn't follow any religion", Atheism isn't a religion.


Edit: I sound quite abrupt here, apologies for that.

 

[Memeticemetic]

Hi,

I'm Anon's wife. Nice to know he is posting out things that has to do with me.

I agree regarding illusions, hallucinations and stuff. However, I still believe in what I see as it is my choice.

Now regarding about what he says that I enjoy seeing them when I'm drunk or whatever... That's not really true. Some of them appear good, sweet and nice, but usually, depending on the place I am, I see lots of evil ones; those that purposefully wants to disturb me, scare me and I hate to see them at that point. The reason why I would start blabbering to him.

Anyways, If I hadn't have a believe in all this...I'll probably be an Atheist or be a person who doesn't follow any religion but believes in the existence of God. The reason why I am a Wiccan is cause I want to be and I want to believe in it.

Well, to be fair, since we don't know who he is, we certainly don't know who you are, so really none of this has to do specifically with you but with anyone who chooses to believe that hallucinations are real.

This is what we (well, some of us, anyway) don't understand. How does one choose what to believe? Belief, in my understanding, is an obligate condition based on facts and logical argument. The only way I can see choice coming into it is deliberate self-deception. For instance, ignoring evidence that may threaten to change one's mind, or refusing to consider the opinion of one's spouse who obviously cares, and is concerned, for you.

 

[FaithlessThinker]

Well I'll be point blank about it. I showed her this topic and asked her to join the forum. Well I have to admit she was reluctant at first, so I kinda pestered her into it. (oops!)

Her nick has been changed so both of us will stay anon even if one can find out that we're married. The old nick was traceable. (Not that any of you guys are going to do something, but someone from elsewhere could be Googling that and reaching here, linking it with other personally identifiable search results.)

Belief, in my understanding, is an obligate condition based on facts and logical argument.

Could you elaborate more about this? It seems you are limiting the definition of belief to those beliefs attained through scientific understanding. Is that right? Belief is normally defined as a hypothesis which is accepted as true before the acquisition of valid supporting evidence, and sometimes despite the presence of contradictory evidence.

 

[lrkun]

Belief is normally defined as a hypothesis which is accepted as true before the acquisition of valid supporting evidence, and sometimes despite the presence of contradictory evidence.

Well said. Web definitions for belief any cognitive content held as true. (1)

---
1. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn, -, Definition in context