Manifestation

Evidence shows that manifestation can help with motivation, but positive thinking
alone cannot shape reality or directly influence external events.
In recent years, manifestation has gained widespread popularity, especially through
self-help books like The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, which even has a movie
adaptation, and Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks, a manual that claims
to help people achieve their desires. The concept has also reached new generations
through TikTok, where users share manifestation techniques to attract dream jobs,
relationships, or success. Countless success stories claim manifestation has helped
people create their ideal lives. But this raises the question: Does manifestation
really work? Can we achieve our dream life just by thinking about it?
This belief system is flawed both logically and ethically. Scientific research,
psychological studies, and real-world experiences show that success comes from
action, not just thoughts. Furthermore, manifestation can lead to victim-blaming,
anxiety, and passivity.
One major issue with manifestation is its lack of scientific credibility.
Neuroscientists, psychologists, and physicists agree that thoughts alone do not
influence reality in the way manifestation claims. While positive thinking can boost
motivation, it does not possess a mystical force that attracts external events.
Michael J. Losier, in his book Law of Attraction, claims that "the law of attraction
always matches your vibration—whether positive or negative" (Losier 18). He
provides an example of someone waking up cranky on a Monday morning, sending
out a "negative vibration." As a result, their day gets worse. They stub their toe,
burn their toast, face heavy traffic, and have a client cancel on them. On the other
hand, he describes a salesperson who, after closing a big sale, feels happy and soon
lands another deal. He argues that in both cases, the Law of Attraction is at work,
bringing more of the same—positive or negative—based on the person's mindset.
Following this logic, we encounter several flaws, the most important being that it is
not a scientifically testable hypothesis. If good things happen to a happy person, it
supposedly confirms the theory; if bad things happen to a happy person, it could be
argued that they had hidden negativity. A theory that cannot be proven wrong is not
a valid scientific explanation. Additionally, the idea ignores the principle that
correlation does not imply causation. Just because a salesperson was happy before
making another sale does not mean their happiness caused it. Likewise, waking up
cranky does not cause traffic jams or canceled appointments.
While manifestation claims to be empowering, it often leads to stress, guilt, and
self-blame. Taking the same example of someone having a bad day, they might
believe they "attracted" negativity, leading to anxiety over their thoughts. Instead
of recognizing external factors, they blame themselves for minor misfortunes.
On a larger scale, this belief system ignores systemic issues. If someone in poverty
fails to "manifest" wealth, are they simply not thinking positively enough? This
mindset can be especially harmful to marginalized groups, as it implies that their
struggles result from their thoughts rather than external problems such as economic
conditions, discrimination, or lack of resources. Rather than offering real
empowerment, manifestation can leave people feeling bad when their thoughts fail
to change their reality.
Manifestation also relies on survivorship bias—it highlights success stories while
ignoring the countless people who "manifest" without results. If manifestation truly
worked, everyone who visualized wealth would be rich, and everyone who imagined
love would have the perfect relationship. However, real success follows a different
formula: effort, strategy, and persistence—along with other factors like
socioeconomic context and connections (though this essay won’t explore those).
Additionally, manifestation encourages magical thinking, leading people to rely on
unrealistic expectations rather than practical actions. Behavioral psychology studies
show that setting goals, making plans, and adapting to challenges are far more
effective strategies than mere visualization. By contrast, manifestation promotes
passivity.
Let’s turn to an article by Carl Sagan on scientific literacy in the United States for a
more grounded example. He compared American students' science scores to those
of students in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, noting that U.S. students performed
significantly worse. He pointed out that American high school students spend an
average of 3.5 hours a week on homework, while Japanese fifth-graders spend
about 33 hours a week studying (Sagan 3).
Logically, if American students spent more time studying, their scientific literacy
would improve. But if manifestation were truly effective, wouldn't it be better for
students to spend less time studying and more time "manifesting" good grades?
This idea quickly falls apart. Regardless of how positive or optimistic a student feels,
if they don’t take action—such as planning study strategies or attending extra
lessons—they will not achieve the same results as students who dedicate more time
to their studies. If manifestation were the answer, Carl Sagan wouldn’t have written
about the importance of scientific education—he would have simply encouraged
students to think positively.
Ultimately, while manifestation can boost motivation, it does not replace effort,
planning, or action. Relying on positive thinking alone is unrealistic and can lead to
disappointment, self-blame, and a misunderstanding of success. Instead of believing
that thoughts alone can shape reality, people should focus on real, practical steps
toward achieving their goals.
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, while appealing to some, is based on superstition rather than proven
facts, which can lead to ethical concerns and potential harm.
Once pushed to the fringes of society, witchcraft has made a comeback in modern
culture. Professor Helen A. Berger, a scholar at Brandeis University's Women's
Studies Research Center, has studied modern witchcraft for decades. Its popularity
has grown even more with the rise of the Wiccan religion, and for some, witchcraft
has become intertwined with feminism and the idea of "girl power" (Ryan, par. 15).
However, despite its appeal, witchcraft has serious problems. It is based on beliefs
that have no scientific proof, can lead to ethical issues, and may even cause harm.
In fields like medicine, psychology, and science, professionals rely on evidence-
based practices—methods supported by observable, testable facts. In contrast,
witchcraft is based on mystical beliefs, rituals, and superstitions that do not stand
up to scientific testing.
Another problem is the emotional impact of witchcraft. Imagine someone seeking
advice from a witch who promises magical cures or spiritual answers to their
problems. People who are feeling lost, grieving, or struggling with mental health
may trust these claims, only to be misled. This can leave them feeling even worse
when they realize the promised results never happen. Some practitioners might
even take advantage of vulnerable people, giving them false hope or charging them
money for solutions that don’t work.
Witchcraft has also caused fear and division throughout history. During the witch
hunts, thousands of people—mostly women—were falsely accused and executed.
Between 30,000 and 60,000 people were killed for witchcraft in the early modern
era (English Heritage). This shows the danger of superstition and mass hysteria.
From a logical perspective, witchcraft does not make sense. Claims about magic,
curses, and controlling fate go against reason and science. If witchcraft were real,
we would see clear, consistent proof of its effects, but no such evidence exists.
While some people may share personal experiences, these stories are not reliable
proof. Logic and reason require solid evidence, and witchcraft does not provide that.
Some parts of witchcraft, like using herbal remedies, are not always harmful.
However, promoting them without understanding their safety, proper dosage, or
interactions with other medicines can be risky. Without proper medical guidance,
people may accidentally harm themselves or others by trusting in "magical" cures
that have no scientific support.
In conclusion, while witchcraft may have cultural or personal significance for some,
its reliance on superstition rather than facts raises serious concerns. Without
scientific backing, it remains a practice built on belief rather than truth, posing
potential risks to those who embrace it.
 References:
English Heritage. “A Journey Into Witchcraft Beliefs.” English Heritage, www.english-
heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/journey-into-witchcraft-beliefs.
Losier, Michael J. Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of what You Want
and Less of what You Don’t. Michael Losier, 2006.
“Modern Witchcraft: Empowerment, Feminism, and Rituals.” October | 2023 |
Brandeis Stories | Brandeis University,
www.brandeis.edu/stories/2023/october/witchcraft.html.
Sagan, Carl. “WHY WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND SCIENCE: Ignorance of Science
Threatens Our Economic Well-being, National Security, and the Democratic
Process. We Must Do Better.” Parade Magazine, 10 Sept. 1989, p. 3.