Men Who Stare At Goats

Anyone else been practicing their cloud bursting?

I was appalled to discover that this has not been discussed in depth here! The search showed a single mention is someone's journal!

This is a great book (and, surprisingly, an entertaining movie as well!) and I think the efforts of the US Military as depicted would resonate with members here.

Jeff Bridges (known for playing Jedi-esque characters in many films...) even throws out the phrase "Welcome to the Hero's Journey" )

I know it's a wee bit satirical, but if we can get Clooney on board....well, he did wonders for Nespresso. Imagine what he'd do for TotJO :woohoo:

It's the second role Ewan Mcgregor has done as a jedi

I have this book and have never read it. It's definitely on my list of books to read, especially since it's said to be based on a true story. I love stuff like that.

I watched this for an apprenticeship lesson, its a good film.

I never liked George Clooney , i do like him a lot after this movie , and Ewan was glorious as always , i have not practiced running through walls for a while , i will try that later on , if you dont hear from me for a while , i am out of the running ..

I have this book and have never read it. It's definitely on my list of books to read, especially since it's said to be based on a true story. I love stuff like that.

If memory serves, there is another good book by the same author.

Give me a moment to use my [strike]intuition[/strike] internet

Ah - The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry

Give that one a read as well, also an entertainer! (it can save you from having to read Catch-22, but you might as well read that too.)

I was afraid for the goats - I'm glad Lyn saved them

Fun movie and book though! For those who have read 'The Field' by Lynne McTaggart and remember the names of Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ - they were involved in the Stargate Project, which is what the book / movie was all about (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_Project)

Anyone else think that 'stare at goats' might be a cryptic crossword clue for 'Stargate'?

In any case The Men who Stare at Goats is also argued to reference the worship of Baphomet (the goat idol which the Knights Templar were accused of worshiping) and other such esoteric practices. Although Baphomet is often represented as a Satan / Lucifer type figure the symbol typically contains binary elements (male / female, black / white, good / evil) representing the sum, total of the universe. Quite Force-like really!

My search brought up 35 mentions of it prior to this thread :whistle:

A number of them are in Knight and Apprentice journals that are not visible to everyone. Most commonly it seems to have been mentioned in relation to the IP Iesson on 'The Field' and also some teaching masters have set it as a lesson for their Apprentices.

I guess the reason that it hasn't been subject to fevered debate here is that generally TOTJO isn't big on the whole paranormal abilities thing. Personally I found the movie good entertainment, and worth referencing in my write-up of 'The Field' because of the links that Loudzoo outlined, but otherwise lacking in any substantial relevance to my interpretation of Jediism.

I haven't read the book although I've always sort of intended to get around to it at some point - is the movie adaptation fairly true to the book? Is the book equally as tongue-in-cheek?

JamesSand wrote:

I have this book and have never read it. It's definitely on my list of books to read, especially since it's said to be based on a true story. I love stuff like that.

If memory serves, there is another good book by the same author.

Give me a moment to use my [strike]intuition[/strike] internet

Ah - The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry

Give that one a read as well, also an entertainer! (it can save you from having to read Catch-22, but you might as well read that too.)

Will add to my list! Thanks!

My search brought up 35 mentions of it prior to this thread

My low level search just got the one mention I said from someone's journal (and ten other mentions of Goats in general. Two of which were me. I am slightly distressed by how under-represented goats are at this site)


Just had a quick read of the (wiki blurb) on Stargate, my main take away was

and there was reason to suspect that its project managers had changed the reports so they would fit background cues

Pretty much the MO for project managers in any field? Justify your own project, blame everyone else for failures.....

Why they ever imagined it would be different in a secret squirrel ESP project beats the hell outta me.

Is the book equally as tongue-in-cheek?

Yes and no. The author is certainly taking the mickey, but the movie gives some great visual moments.

Will add to my list! Thanks!

Do or Do not. There is no try.