The world is full of signals that we don't perceive. Tiny creatures live in a different world of unfamiliar forces. Many animals of our scale greatly exceed our range of perception for sensations familiar to us. [:] What an imperceptive lot we are. Surrounded by so much, so fascinating and so real, that we do not see (hear, smell, touch, taste) in nature, yet so gullible and so seduced by claims for novel power that we mistake the tricks of mediocre magicians for glimpses of a psychic world beyond our ken. The paranormal may be a fantasy; it is certainly a haven for charlatans. But 'parahuman' powers of perception lie all about us in birds, bees, and bacteria.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- We are surrounded by unseen signals and animal senses beyond our perception, yet we are easily fooled by claims of psychic powers.
- In plain terms
- Animals and tiny creatures sense things we cannot. We ignore these real forces but believe fake claims about magic powers.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on natural phenomena we cannot perceive rather than supernatural claims that lack evidence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What real forces in nature remain invisible to you?
- Why do humans trust tricks over verified science?
Another view
Focusing on natural limits might make us too dismissive of genuine unknowns.
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