# Near death experiences **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 15, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591 "2012-01-15T12:36:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/41 "2012-01-17T04:36:23Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > …They saw a white bison because that’s what they were told they’d be seeing. I’d go through a white tunnel and see my childhood pet because that’s what I’ve been told I’ll see. … I heard an interview on NPR - several years ago - in which person reported that NDEs have three common elements, typically - a light, some barrier to getting to the light, and the sense of being aware of the body but not in it. I remembered when I was once seriously ill as a child I had this experience. I floated in and out of my body for several nights - I could pull myself back in and then float back out, like a helium balloon. While out of my body, I did not see things that I could not see while in my body, I only saw them from a different angle. I also had the ‘vision’, but it was NOT the tunnel and white light - different barrier, different light. I hadn’t heard of NDEs at the time. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/42 "2012-01-17T13:02:01Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I kinda like the idea of seeing a white light and your deceased loved ones welcoming you to cross over to the Great Beyond. But you never hear about the opposite. Seeing a black light and your living enemies telling you to go away to a lame proximity? If you haven’t seen that, I can suggest a bar for you. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/43 "2012-01-17T13:17:33Z")
> [@j666](#): > > I heard an interview on NPR - several years ago - in which person reported that NDEs have three common elements, typically - a light, some barrier to getting to the light, and the sense of being aware of the body but not in it. > > I remembered when I was once seriously ill as a child I had this experience. I floated in and out of my body for several nights - I could pull myself back in and then float back out, like a helium balloon. While out of my body, I did not see things that I could not see while in my body, I only saw them from a different angle. > > I also had the ‘vision’, but it was NOT the tunnel and white light - different barrier, different light. I hadn’t heard of NDEs at the time. Go back to my first point: the CNS disconnecting from the PNS, and disregard the tropes white lights and white bison or whatever, or the lyriccs to "Comfortably Numb. here’s the crux of the issue: do you _live in_ your body, or _are you_ your body? ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/44 "2012-01-17T13:40:39Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:19, topic:609591”] Think how different the world would be if everybody understood confirmation bias. [/QUOTE] Are you quite sure it isn’t your bias that’s being confirmed? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/45 "2012-01-17T13:59:30Z")
I think **Valteron** is talking about a Cornell University NDE researcher ([Sam Parnia](http://www.skeptiko.com/sam-parnia-aware-doomed-to-fai/)) who is conducting a study aimed at verifying near-death experiences, by placing objects high up in the operating room out of sight of (near) dying patients, who would later be quizzed about their experience and what they could see up there.\* I anticipate from comments made to date, that if there is no corroborative evidence, NDE believers will find explanations as to why Parnia didn’t do it right, and if some people identify the objects, there will be questions from skeptics about who might have tipped them off either accidentally or on purpose. I doubt the issue will be settled on the basis of that one study. > [@pati12812](#): > > Is there reason to think that although hundreds of thousands of people have had similar accounts of what happened while they were briefly dead, that it means nothing? Yes. There is also reason to think that the hundreds of thousands/millions of people who report religious visions/revelations (or alien abductions) are not basing their conclusions on reality. \*I wonder what stuff they’re placing up on the high shelves - crucifixes, wax fruit, baseball gloves, busts of Karl Rove… ---
**Author:** ![Theophane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/46 "2012-01-17T15:03:09Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I kinda like the idea of seeing a white light and your deceased loved ones welcoming you to cross over to the Great Beyond. But you never hear about the opposite. There are stories of people who died and saw hell, if you care to look for them. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/47 "2012-01-17T15:12:28Z")
[Oh, we’ve seen them.](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-dxg8gReUqE/SxAtpotHqWI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/W0WdixWM4Uo/s1600/Chicktracts.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Theophane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/48 "2012-01-17T15:14:40Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > So do I, but I do not see them as proof of the supernatural or extraterrestrials. You don’t have to. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/49 "2012-01-17T15:22:08Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > There are stories of people who died and saw hell, if you care to look for them. That’s what I meant. and I don’t care to look for them ☹ - I want everyone to go into the Great Beyond, not hell. (but if I did “die” and “come back” after seeing hell, I would change my evil ways pronto!) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/50 "2012-01-17T15:32:55Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > [quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:19, topic:609591”] > > Think how different the world would be if everybody understood confirmation bias. In the last few days, I’ve heard several different people say that, but never have before. Do you think it means anything? [/QUOTE] I can’t say you win the thread, because it’s still alive and kicking, and the competition around here is pretty good. But I’d say you’re in the lead at the first turn. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/51 "2012-01-17T15:36:30Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > There are stories of people who died and saw hell, if you care to look for them. Why don’t you go ahead and provide a cite, since it’s your claim. ---
**Author:** ![Theophane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/52 "2012-01-17T15:42:01Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > That’s what I meant. and I don’t care to look for them ☹ - I want everyone to go into the Great Beyond, not hell. (but if I did “die” and “come back” after seeing hell, I would change my evil ways pronto!) The Great Beyond IMHO is not necessarily heaven or hell. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/53 "2012-01-17T15:47:22Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > The Great Beyond IMHO is not necessarily heaven or hell. Gee, that’s deep. You forgot to add there might not be a “Great Beyond” at all. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/54 "2012-01-17T15:49:32Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/55 "2012-01-17T15:53:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Why don’t you go ahead and provide a cite, since it’s your claim. The subject of hellish NDEs is covered pretty thoroughly in the literature and is common knowledge. Perhaps you should do a little research on the subject before you presume to comment on it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/56 "2012-01-17T15:55:44Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > The subject of hellish NDEs is covered pretty thoroughly in the literature and is common knowledge. Perhaps you should do a little research on the subject before you presume to comment on it. Here is my comment: I am tired of posters that make claims, then say “_You_ look for the cites.” ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/57 "2012-01-17T16:09:05Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Are you quite sure it isn’t your bias that’s being confirmed? Whoa. So you’re saying that most people really _do_ understand how confirmation bias works, but I’m only noticing the ones that don’t? That’s mind-blowing, dude. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/58 "2012-01-17T16:12:43Z")
I am proud of the fact that I am not biased either for or against confirmation. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/59 "2012-01-17T16:15:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Here is my comment: I am tired of posters that make claims, then say “_You_ look for the cites.” You have made it plain that you are only marginally familiar with the subject. Even a superficial acquaintance with the literature would have included the fact that there are hellish NDEs. It is not the responsibility of your opponent to educate you on the subject being debated, and it is entirely reasonable to expect you to have at least some basic knowledge of the subject before you go into the debate. It is as though you presumed to discuss economics when you’ve never even heard of the law of supply and demand, and you expect your opponent to give you cites for it. You should not expect others to do your homework for you. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591/60 "2012-01-17T16:19:58Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:57, topic:609591”] Whoa. So you’re saying that most people really _do_ understand how confirmation bias works, but I’m only noticing the ones that don’t? That’s mind-blowing, dude. 🆒 [/QUOTE] No, I’m saying that you seem to think that you have somehow magically escaped the influence of confirmation bias. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/609591.md?page=4)