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In God's Debris, best-selling author and creator of Dilbert Scott Adams fashioned a thought-provoking exploration of life's great mysteries (everything from quantum physics and God to psychic phenomena and dating) that quickly captured the attention and imaginations of readers everywhere. The intriguing story of a deliveryman who meets the world's smartest person and learns the secret of reality is threaded with a variety of hypnosis techniques that Adams, a certified hypnotist, used to induce a feeling of euphoric enlightenment in readers to mirror the main character's feelings as he discovers the true nature of the universe.Launched to coincide with the hardcover publication of its sequel, The Religion War (see opposite page), this first paperback edition of God's Debris will soon make the leap to a broader audience. As Adams designed it, the book will "make your brain spin around inside your skull" and drive readers toward The Religion War as they seek to confirm or deny the dizzying impressions and chaotic memories of reading God's Debris.The book provides one of the most compelling visions of reality ever experienced on the printed page. Along the way, readers will enjoy the Thought Experiment: Trying to discover what's wrong with the sage's explanation of reality. This is a book, as Adams says, to be shared and savored with smart friends.
Scott Adams, creator of the popular comic strip "Dilbert," has written a modern-day parable about a young man and an unlikely mentor. God's Debris starts with a young deliveryman trying to hand over a package to a man with a San Francisco address. But delivering the package to this old man proves to be as difficult as trying to understand the meaning of God.
"It's for you," the old man tells the narrator, gesturing to the package.the deliveryman admits. About this time, the narrator begins to realize that he's not dealing with a feeble-minded old man; he's dealing with a situation that could alter his life. The sincerity and metaphysical complexity of this fable will surprise those who expect comedy, but Adams is following a tradition set by such writers as Dan Millman (Way of the Peaceful Warrior) and Richard Bach (Illusions). As in many parables that have come before, the deliveryman learns the meaning of life from an illusive mentor who seems to arise from a wrinkle in time. The cleverness of the God's Debris concept is original and bound to leave readers pondering some altered definitions of God, the universe, and just about everything else. --Gail Hudson"What's in the package?" the narrator asks.
"It's the answer to your question."
"I wasn't expecting any answers,"
God is Whole, Not Full of HolesReviewed by Tommy Jeffers, 2009-12-05
God's Debris is an interesting book. I am writing this as a Christian. It is important that the reader knows this. The book states that it is not true and that even the author, Scott Adams, does not necessarily believe its contents. It is designed to be a mental exercise. I personally find it hard to fathom why anyone would write something with supposed truths that they claim to be uncertain of. The book starts with a meeting of a package delivery man with an old gentleman who begins to question him towards supposed enlightenment. I admit that the journey is fun and has some merit. However, many of the "truths" expounded upon in the book are fairly close to, if not allied with, heresy. The basic concept of the book is that the greatest power in the universe is expressed through probability. Probability is God's power and makes everything possible. The book then proceeds to endure itself to the reader by creating two very likable characters. Along the way everything from evolution to light speed is addressed. While the arguments are full of mental gymnastics the point becomes clear fairly soon. To wit: God is omnipotent, and the only thing that would challenge such a being is seeking a way to destroy Himself. Adams presents a "god" that is suicidal in a sense. The book states that God has blown Himself to bits and the universe, rocks, plants, animals, and humans are all working within all powerful probability to reassemble God. This cosmic jigsaw puzzle allows for all belief systems. In short, this seems to be another clever attempt to try and persuade the world that all beliefs are valid and ultimately lead to "god." This is where the heresy is exhibited strongest. The book views a creator that is as interested in rocks as he is humans. After all, we are all made of the same stuff. All of us are part of "god" trying to reassemble itself. This sort of gobble-d-gook philosophy is like asking unanswerable questions like "Can God make square circles?" or "Can God make a rock so big he can't pick it up?" This type of circular logic is old hat to folks that want just enough of the truth to keep themselves confused. God's debris are not floating about trying to reassemble through all beliefs and positive probability behaviors. God is the great causer. He is the causer without a cause. He is not bored, but I admit He is unchallenged. He would have no need for this sort of exercise. God is not a Taoist. God incarnate became flesh and dwelt among man. He was crucified for our sin and rose from the dead. He did so without vanity or pomp and circumstance. He did so in humility. He will return in glory. God's Debris is entertaining and a fun read; however, the reader must be careful to have a firm grip on his or her beliefs lest confusion be nurtured by this hogwash philosophy.
Give it to friends and watch the hilarity ensueReviewed by B. Adams, 2009-08-20
After buying the hardcopy version of this book and reading it, I downloaded the free PDF version and sent it to several friends and acquaintances. Their reactions say all you need to know about the book itself. The recipients who I can categorise as religious and spiritual, ranging from Christian fundamentalists to New Age energy-healers, found "God's Debris" incredibly profound and enlightening. Those who I'd categorise as sceptics and rational thinkers found it ridiculously flawed, silly, and downright ignorant. What category are you in?
A fun ReadReviewed by Kevin Fisher, 2009-08-16
Everyone else here has been writing very through & thought through reviews, but I will leave it at this - I found reading this book to be very enjoyable and you will make your own opinions.
Man's DebrisReviewed by Pilgrim, 2009-07-26
If you are interested in probabilities, read Pascal's Wager.
If you are interested in God dying and coming back, read about the
death and resurrection of Christ.
If you are interested in apologetics read Norm Geisler, Ravi
Zacharias or GK Chesterton.
A friend let me borrow it - thank God I didn't buy itReviewed by J. Neill, 2009-07-21
I thought this book would be pretty insightful, but instead I felt
I was reading ramblings of a drunk-philosopher-wannabe.
I didn't really feel more than one or two arguments Adams made held
water, and I realized that even those probably were only because I
just didn't have an opinion off hand. Most of my rebuttals came
before I finished reading the paragraph at hand.
I give two stars instead of one, because Adams actually made an
attempt to think deep, but I don't honestly feel he is qualified,
as his writings were so very shallow and uninspiring.
Do yourself a favor, and save your philosophical inquiries for
Socrates, Descartes and Nietzsche.