[ExI] better self-transcendence through selective brain damage

[spike]

> Subject: Re: [ExI] better self-transcendence through 
> selective brain damage
> 
> On Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 2:50 PM, Ben Zaiboc  wrote:

> > Wow.  Could it be?  Might we find a cure for religion?

There would be very little demand for a cure for religion.  Just the
opposite, the market would be in stimulating that part of the brain to
induce a religious experience.  

Ohhh my, just thinking of the money to be made here makes by butt hurt.
It's a good hurt.

Do let me be perfectly clear on that last commentary: I do not wish to be
anything like L. Ron, who had more or less the same idea, along with his
countless predecessors down thru the ages.  These charlatans made money from
religion unethically, deceptively.  The way we would do this is to market
absolutely truthfully: as a service for those who are atheists but want
euphoric religious experiences.  We would make it clear right up front that
this is not about some random deity, and we do not solicit donations.  The
client must supply her own random deity.  We arrange communication with that
or them.  

This idea is rather more analogous to the office of a chiropractor, except
without all the odd notions of aligning to body to focus energy and
releasing tension and all that.  This would be absolutely truthful: we
discovered the part of the brain that is responsible for the epiphany
phenomenon, and we think we can cause one in you.  A hundred bucks, hop in
the chair.

spike