The Number 23

[elicoleman]

Re: The Number 23

Just saw a commercial on CBS for it. Very cool.

[CMH]

Re: The Number 23

That's very interesting that someone knows what i'm talking about directly. Most people subscribe to the overall theory we're talking about, otherwise movies like this would not be possible but they do not understand it when you present it to them straight up or if they do understand it they dismiss it outright, which I believe is a mistake. Basically if you believe in any type of supernatural or any type of God and you are not arrogant enough to believe man knows all and our ultimate knowledge has tapped itself out, then you have to concede to the fact that some people who society deems insane may not be at all insane but possibly knowledgeable about information that we cannot understand.

For instance people that can hear voices and see spirits. We automatically deem them insane. Probably 99% of them are quite insane. However, if you at all believe in the Bible then I ask, how would those same people you revere have been regarded today?

This makes me think of another movie that basically is a great example of this arguement: Frailty. That movie nailed this entire philosophy. Also, a good number of people with high IQ's are the ones who go mad, why is this? Myself I have a very active imagination and have tested out as pretty intelligent. Does that make me more susceptible to true madness or does it allow me to see and understand things that the ordinary person does not?

It's a fascinating subject to say the least.

I have not seen Frailty, but I'll queue it now (hopefully, it's not rare).

On the personal experience thing, I agree. I fall in that same line of imagination/intelligence/IQ that you mention and for years, without sounding egotistical (I guess it would only sound that way to someone who doesn't want to understand) I've often wondered if people think like me. I've come to the conclusion that not many do at all. I've found only one person in my lifetime that has and I only spoke to him once on AIM and it was probably the best conversation I've had in my life.

Now, I understand that people think differently. I'm not saying I'm special (though, we all are in some way, right?). All I'm saying is that I've been very observant in my life and I've discovered through trial and error that people don't think like me. It's difficult to explain, but I can categorize people into one block of thought and then place myself into another.

As for your question. I think the answer is yes. It makes you susceptible to madness because people will think you are mad. Your views, perspective on things is likely dramatically different than the large percentage of people. As I mentioned, extreme thought is considered insane. The only concrete definition of insane (check the dictionary yourself) are the words "absurd" and "foolish". (at least in my dictionary it is). Every other definition is only a cheat explanation of the word "insane" being of the word "insanity".

Absurd and Foolish are poor words to define another word. Both absurd and foolish are opinionated words. Yet, they are used to describe a person that is insane. I find that extremely interesting.

[ODogg]

Re: The Number 23

ODogg... you were post #23 in this thread!!! I'd watch out if I were you!

Haha, good catch, I'm beginning my descent into madness even as I type this!!!

[TheTruth916]

Re: The Number 23

this movie of Jim Carrey's looks cool and completely different that what he has always done.

[ODogg]

Re: The Number 23

I have not seen Frailty, but I'll queue it now (hopefully, it's not rare).

On the personal experience thing, I agree. I fall in that same line of imagination/intelligence/IQ that you mention and for years, without sounding egotistical (I guess it would only sound that way to someone who doesn't want to understand) I've often wondered if people think like me. I've come to the conclusion that not many do at all. I've found only one person in my lifetime that has and I only spoke to him once on AIM and it was probably the best conversation I've had in my life.

Now, I understand that people think differently. I'm not saying I'm special (though, we all are in some way, right?). All I'm saying is that I've been very observant in my life and I've discovered through trial and error that people don't think like me. It's difficult to explain, but I can categorize people into one block of thought and then place myself into another.

As for your question. I think the answer is yes. It makes you susceptible to madness because people will think you are mad. Your views, perspective on things is likely dramatically different than the large percentage of people. As I mentioned, extreme thought is considered insane. The only concrete definition of insane (check the dictionary yourself) are the words "absurd" and "foolish". (at least in my dictionary it is). Every other definition is only a cheat explanation of the word "insane" being of the word "insanity".

Absurd and Foolish are poor words to define another word. Both absurd and foolish are opinionated words. Yet, they are used to describe a person that is insane. I find that extremely interesting.

Wow, I kind of thought I was one of the few people to think like this as well. We should definitely have an AIM chat sometime. I have such an unbelievable and sometimes dark imagination that is constantly going that sometimes I worry I'm susceptible into falling into it completely. And I have always had the feeling a lot of things are going on beyond the surface of what people see. I do tend to think i'm unique although I know in reality I'm not completely unique as I have seen a lot of books, movies and other expressions from people that fall in line with things that I often speculate upon myself in private. Also, I tend to absorb other theories from media and ponder them infinitely as well, upon my own inner strange ponderings.

I think perhaps another way to describe it is not so much being unique but having a certain feeling that most of the things I think about and imagine are societally unacceptable to communicate to anyone, partially because someone could think you are mad and have you committed. I tend to believe that most authors and screenwriters have the same feeling but because they are writing under the guise of "entertainment" for the people it becomes acceptable. But think about it, a lot of very strange movies and books and songs have been written through the years, and yet most of the topics of the media involved is usually not water cooler discussion among common people (other than the typical "did you see such and such movie, boy that was nuts!).

At one point in my life I felt like I was in need of private discussion with someone about the overwhelming imagination and belief that there is something going on "behind the scenes" in a twilight-zone paranoia, type sense. I saw a therapist and over the course of about 4 or 5 sessions I poured out all of these ideas and beliefs and suspicions I had and to make a long story short, I believe it scared the crap out of her. I could see it when I was talking to her. In her eyes it was there. She asked if she could refer me to another therapist and gave me some other doctor's name. I never went to that other doctor because I feared I had revealed too much and of course there is always the fear of being committed for "being different". Since then I've pretty much kept quiet on issues such as what is presented in this movie, in fear of how it is viewed.

I suppose I should write out some of the stories in my head and try to sell it as book or movie and that would allow me some outlet, but in the meantime I usually just go on chat channels and talk to whoever seems somewhat intelligent enough (and non-judgmental enough) to discuss the issues involved. On a very rare occasion I'll find someone to listen but usually it's them trying to "get me help" (usually by going to see a priest or something) instead of really trying to listen to what I have to say and take it as a serious possibility.

Anyways, enough rambling, I'm looking forward to seeing this movie and will be there opening night, but I just hope it doesn't make me really paranoid about numbers and especially the #23!!

[CMH]

Re: The Number 23

Have you ever tried writing, ODogg?

I was going to say something about film and books, but you mentioned it yourself. I'm surprised, but I do understand, that you never pursued that form of media to express your thoughts.

It's amazing how directors/writers pretty much leak pages of their thoughts on society and other obscure things into their films but hide it with a superficial story that everyone likes.

Expressing my ideas is the reason why I'm studying film right now. I've always felt that people don't listen to me when I speak (I've even had close friends of mine tell me the very same thing without me saying a word to them about it) and that film will be the best way for me to get my feelings across. Then I start to worry that I need medical help and just want attention or something. Finally, I stop caring after about five minutes and get back to writing.

[HealyMonster]

Re: The Number 23

Wow, I kind of thought I was one of the few people to think like this as well. We should definitely have an AIM chat sometime. I have such an unbelievable and sometimes dark imagination that is constantly going that sometimes I worry I'm susceptible into falling into it completely. And I have always had the feeling a lot of things are going on beyond the surface of what people see. I do tend to think i'm unique although I know in reality I'm not completely unique as I have seen a lot of books, movies and other expressions from people that fall in line with things that I often speculate upon myself in private. Also, I tend to absorb other theories from media and ponder them infinitely as well, upon my own inner strange ponderings.

I think perhaps another way to describe it is not so much being unique but having a certain feeling that most of the things I think about and imagine are societally unacceptable to communicate to anyone, partially because someone could think you are mad and have you committed. I tend to believe that most authors and screenwriters have the same feeling but because they are writing under the guise of "entertainment" for the people it becomes acceptable. But think about it, a lot of very strange movies and books and songs have been written through the years, and yet most of the topics of the media involved is usually not water cooler discussion among common people (other than the typical "did you see such and such movie, boy that was nuts!).

At one point in my life I felt like I was in need of private discussion with someone about the overwhelming imagination and belief that there is something going on "behind the scenes" in a twilight-zone paranoia, type sense. I saw a therapist and over the course of about 4 or 5 sessions I poured out all of these ideas and beliefs and suspicions I had and to make a long story short, I believe it scared the crap out of her. I could see it when I was talking to her. In her eyes it was there. She asked if she could refer me to another therapist and gave me some other doctor's name. I never went to that other doctor because I feared I had revealed too much and of course there is always the fear of being committed for "being different". Since then I've pretty much kept quiet on issues such as what is presented in this movie, in fear of how it is viewed.

I suppose I should write out some of the stories in my head and try to sell it as book or movie and that would allow me some outlet, but in the meantime I usually just go on chat channels and talk to whoever seems somewhat intelligent enough (and non-judgmental enough) to discuss the issues involved. On a very rare occasion I'll find someone to listen but usually it's them trying to "get me help" (usually by going to see a priest or something) instead of really trying to listen to what I have to say and take it as a serious possibility.

Anyways, enough rambling, I'm looking forward to seeing this movie and will be there opening night, but I just hope it doesn't make me really paranoid about numbers and especially the #23!!

why dont you guys go buy so Natty Ice and Bro Out?

[X*Cell]

Re: The Number 23

If you guys do chat on AIM, make it a chatroom that I can sit in on and just read. I wouldn't be able to provide to the discussion, but I'm curious to what ya'll have to say, because it really seems interesting, and I, unlike most others, don't just dismiss possibilities because they are not apart of popular belief. I like to weigh in on my options, and develop my own choice, based on the facts I'm given.

So please, if you do, xcelldarim3187 is my screen name, and I would appreciate an invite to sit in on your discussion.

[Sedihawk2K5]

Re: The Number 23

Weird.

The RMS Titanic sunk on 4/15/1912, if you add 4+1+5+1+9+1+2= 23.
Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans formed August 23, 2005
Mount St. Helens erupted on 5/18/1980. if you add 5 and 18 you get 23.
In The Passion of the Christ, Jesus is whipped 23 times before he sees Satan in the crowd.
Saddam Hussein assumed power on July 16: 7+16=23
Earth's axis is at a 23° angle.
2005 December 23 - Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 217 from Baku, Azerbaijan to Aktau, Kazakhstan crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 23 people

Of course, some are well, not so weird:
In the movie Happy Gilmore during the hockey tryout at the beginning of the movie, Happy Gilmore is number 23
When Zoidberg upsets the shelf containing the various alternative universes in the Futurama episode "The Farnsworth Parabox", the only visible universe number is 23
In The Simpsons, when Homer asks for the bathroom in Burns' house in the episode "Last Exit to Springfield", Burns says it is the 23rd door on the left.
Purple 23 is the parking space where Kramer hides his air conditioner in the 23rd Seinfeld episode, "The Parking Garage" (Season 3, Episode 6).

Thank you Wikipedia!

[CMH]

Re: The Number 23

why dont you guys go buy so Natty Ice and Bro Out?

I don't know if this is a joke because I can't understand the sentence (and I'm not trying to be mean in any way. I'm thinking the word "so" is supposed to be "some"?) Can you clear up this statement because right now I'm confused.

If you guys do chat on AIM, make it a chatroom that I can sit in on and just read. I wouldn't be able to provide to the discussion, but I'm curious to what ya'll have to say, because it really seems interesting, and I, unlike most others, don't just dismiss possibilities because they are not apart of popular belief. I like to weigh in on my options, and develop my own choice, based on the facts I'm given.

So please, if you do, xcelldarim3187 is my screen name, and I would appreciate an invite to sit in on your discussion.

I'm rarely online, but when I am and I find ODogg I'll look for you.

[TheTruth916]

Re: The Number 23

If you guys do chat on AIM, make it a chatroom that I can sit in on and just read. I wouldn't be able to provide to the discussion, but I'm curious to what ya'll have to say, because it really seems interesting, and I, unlike most others, don't just dismiss possibilities because they are not apart of popular belief. I like to weigh in on my options, and develop my own choice, based on the facts I'm given.

So please, if you do, xcelldarim3187 is my screen name, and I would appreciate an invite to sit in on your discussion.

Yeah, I am interested too...so feel free to hit me with a PM

[elicoleman]

Re: The Number 23

Comes out today, who's going to see it?

[TheLetterZ]

Re: The Number 23

I was looking forward to it, but it's getting a 9% on RottenTomatoes, so I'm at least going to hold off until I read reviews from you guys.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The Number 23

Wow this film just got hammered review wise.. I was willing to see this but probably won't now.

[elicoleman]

Re: The Number 23

Despite reviews, I'll see it because I love the premise of the movie.

I was surprised to see what's written in bold.

The film contains recurring violence and disturbing bloody images, including several suicides, and sexual encounters, some involving kinky behavior, as well as rough and crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian