A few months ago, after hearing about its cult status, my girlfriend and I rented
What the Bleep do We Know?
While I tried to remain somewhat skeptical of the film's linkages
between quantum physics, cognitive processes and the impact of thoughts
on the physical world, I was intrigued by some of the ideas and the
quoted experts--with the noted exception of
JZ Knight.
So I wasn't that surprised to learn that Knight "channels"
Ramtha, a 35,000-year-old warrior, nor that Ramtha has his own New Age school,
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment.
But I was somewhat surprised to learn just how much this highly
successful movie is linked to Ramtha's educational institution. How
much so? For starters,
all of the filmmakers are "students of Ramtha," according to the film's FAQ.
Now an extended version is coming out,
What the Bleep do We Know? Down the Rabbit Hole, in which "interviews are lengthened and a full 95% of all
interviews is never before seen footage exploring the links between
quantum mechanics, neurobiology, human consciousness and day-to-day
reality."
As for the ideas presented in the movie, sure, they're New Age physics
meshed with feel-good cognitive science. But that's not the most
annoying part; despite the hokiness of the presentation, I do think
that some of the ideas presented are worthy of scientific investigation.
What's frustrating, however, is that a film created by followers of a
35,000-year-old channelled warrior now essentially owns, at least in
popular culture, ideas that fewer scientists will want to touch for
fear of being associated with the Ramtha-ites.
Sure, the movie has helped bring some interesting ideas to public
attention. But it's doubtful whether it's done anything to advance the
scientific study of the ideas it addresses. Unless, of course, the
Ramtha School of Enlightenment plans to build a particle accelerator
and open a neurobiology lab.