Explaining the Evil Eye to Sam Harris

Many New Atheist types use the example of the evil eye to typify superstitious ideas and social behaviour that is irrational. I try to explain the manner in which something like the evil eye can make sense to a modern person.

My links:

The music at the opening is Russian Eastern Overture, by Rimsky Korsakov.

[antonia]

My son loves to make up super hero’s on little flash cards. He draws the character and then assigns them powers and how much damage each power does. He made a super Mom card. One of her super powers was a disappointed mom glare. It was on of her most damaging powers.

[stevenanderson]

Growing up in a black community a term was used a lot was "eyeing me" fights often broke out for eyeing someone. Its something surreal. You could feel it. Never put that together till now

[efleishermedia]

Jonathan's nervous laugh after he says something kind of terrifying is the best haha

[FeedMyEyes]

Dominance is exerted first through eye contact....it is a very powerful form of non verbal communication

[lontus-racref]

A really prominent modern day example of a "magical" talisman is the AA token, which is of course used to ward off the "evil spell" of alcoholic temptation.

[lunchez]

reminds me of the Spongebob episode, where Squidward didnt believe that a anti sea bear circle would protect him. Spongebob and Patrick explained the concept to him by talking and even showing the literature. But he refused to accept it just like the intellectual arrogance (Sam Harris) he represents. He consequently was exposed to all the horrors of the mighty sea bear.

[shotinthedark]

Some people call it the "evil eye." Some call it the "death stare." Some might even call it the "cold shoulder." I like to call it "protestant excommunication."

[Benjaminyk]

I feel like it's also worth remembering that if somebody is giving you the evil eye glaring at you is probably not the only bad thing they're doing towards you. People talk and up and take other actions against each other that are too small and settle for even them to be consciously aware of. Malice is a really powerful force even if it's so repressed that a dirty look is the only overt manifestation of it.

[andrewnelson]

clothing and adornments is one of the topics you should include more often. It's one of the best bridges from the modern world view

[Joshualbatross]

I think you just inadvertently explained why hippies carry crystals in their pockets.

[RonaldDPotts]

It strikes me, particularly in this video, that the modern world has a blindness to certain aspects of our society without any understand of their foundations, or Genesis. Things are taken for granted; which is striking because we parade around as though as is explained through the materialist world view. However, it's not and that view takes a lot for granted.

[melparadise]

On one of my treasure hunts, I found a large glass eye in a second hand shop. At first I thought it was just someone's art project until I looked into it some more. It's called a Nazar amulet, and I ended up making a mandala to hang in the middle of! :) It's supposed to ward off the evil eye, protect you from it. Reminding you to keep your eyes open to the reality around you in terms of relationships with people. Your subconscious picks up on micro emotions, whether you choose to acknowledge them or not. Understanding is power. :D

[paradissimon]

That's exactly why i never take off my aluminium suit

[FilterHQ]

Glad you mentioned the effect it can have on other people. Imagine you go to work, and walk into the staff room..and say hello to everyone. People say hello, but, one or two people give you the evil eye (and you don't notice)..(but others do)..it sows the seed of doubt in their eyes. Why are they looking at you like that? Did you do something to deserve that look? Are you not to be trusted? They now have a suspicion (no matter how mild) about you which could effect their interactions with you in the future. It would hold more power too..if the person giving the evil eye was in a position of authority.

[cavejelly]

Loved this free flowing format. Would love to hear more on the subject of magic and its use.

[vivekbarnvasynanndi]

Thank you so much Jonathan for doing this the world is a strange dark place without the understanding of symbolism.

[oiausdlkasuldhflaksjdhoiausydo]

I loved your explanation with which I agree 100% but it made chuckle because I could see disaster coming with every word you said. Everyone is gonna get mad at you John. Believers will hate your explanation because you’re making the super natural physical and the New Atheists will because you are giving credence to “irrationality”. You´re gonna make as many friends as Spinoza or Jung did but you´ll be in good company! Welcome to the club 😄

[pietromarcoinenricogiribal]

In a way is like when people claim there's no love but "only chemical reactions in our brain"; to quote Nietzsche: he who dwells in empiricism alone reduces himself to a worm crawling into the dust of this earth.

[christiannava]

The evil eye can be applied to a narcissist or psychopath stare. Communities that are more social in person may unconsciously or inherently have the ability to detect evil people and not necessarily evil due to one's past, but because of genetics that cause them to be more cold or self centered. Hence a narcissist or psycopath living in a community.

[dontbothertoreply]

Explaining anything to Sam Harris is a waste of time