Marie Kondo Wants To Sell You Good Vibrations

Somehow this doesn't surprise me.

Decluttering guru Marie Kondo wants to sell you good vibrations

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You might remember how Gwyneth Paltrow's health and well-being website Goop was selling "medical" products with no proven measurable health benefits. Decluttering expert Marie Kondo may be going down the same path. Kondo now has a tuning fork and rose quartz crystal for sale in her online shop for US$75 (around $110): "Striking the fork against the crystal creates pure tones that help to restore a sense of balance […] The rose quartz crystal in this set is associated with purification, connection and comfort." Kondo's decluttering approach draws on her personal blend of Zen Buddhist and traditional Shinto beliefs. Traditional Buddhism sees sound and vibration as building blocks of the universe. Buddhists believe chanting creates a healing resonance and reverberation that benefits the universe. Much media discussion has focused on how Kondo's decluttering seems at odds with running an online store. But her tuning fork does appear to reflect the philosophy that underpins her decluttering. Her tuning fork is also part of a long history of humans using vibrations to understand our world, to treat illness, and to improve well-being. So why are we so fascinated with using vibrations to heal? And is there any evidence to back it? ... However, there's no scientific evidence to suggest crystals are associated with anything other than different structures and colours. There is also no scientific evidence connecting particular quartz frequencies with health or psychological effects. Crystals can't really do anything by themselves except refract light. But if you believe strongly enough that crystals are healing you — or are bringing you confidence and joy or peace or stability — then there may be a placebo effect. If you culturally associate healing or peace with a particular type of crystal, then it may help you — but again only because you believe in it. Crystals are also comparatively harmless.

Comparatively harmless... except that a lot of them are sourced from Madagascan slave-labour camps. Always check that your dealer knows where their merchandise comes from.

via International Skeptics Forum https://ift.tt/2O7Fq11