Palmistry on MySpace

I finally got onto MySpace awhile ago in order to comment on a couple of blog posts there. Unlike FaceBook, palmistry is a common enough topic on MySpace where a search shows more than 2,300 results. Unfortunately, most of those pages have almost no good information whatsoever. There's a lot of blog spam and cheap promoting, and plenty of plagiarism. And page after page has ideas and teachings that are just plain wacko.

After getting onto MySpace, I quickly received 2 messages from people I don't know - Both were spam.

I certainly would not recommend MySpace as a way of finding any reliable information on palmistry, or for connecting with people interested in the art. See you on FaceBook instead!

More Palmistry Plagiarism

The palmistry scams page has another new member - www.astropalmistry.com.pk

Much of his website content is plagiarized from various sources, with entire pages copied directly from www.cheirology.net

The most amusing part about this plagiarist is that in the fine print at the bottom of his front page you see his copyright statement:

"It is difficult to tell where one person's observations, theories and rules leave off and another's starts, so I don't lay claim to any of this palmistry material as fully my own, because I think it is universal truth and I am just reporting it as I learned it from others and my research results."

Ummm, when you copy a full web page and reprint it on your own site without permission, it's pretty easy to tell "where one person's observations leave off". As for "reporting universal truth" without citing sources - That's got to be the worst excuse for blatant plagiarism I've ever heard.

Does Anyone Know For Certain Who the Real Author Is?

Dr. Ghanshyam Singh Birla of palmistry.com and Dr. Thanu Pillay of palmistry.org are considered by many to be experts in their field. Problem is, both take credit for authoring some of the same material. Take a look at www.palmistry.com/about/faq.html and www.palmistry.org/what_is_palmistry.htm - You'll see this same content, word-for-word.

What is palmistry?

Palmistry is a method of counselling that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It is a part of a vast field of study, referred to as Samudrik Shastra, which literally means the ocean of knowledge. Palmistry is a sub-section of Samudrik Shastra and deals specifically with the study of the hand.

Is palmistry fortune-telling?

In a word: no. The original intent of palmistry was for personality assessment and counselling. One's emotional tendencies, social attitudes, conscious awareness and subconscious fears, blockages and strengths can be understood in great detail through this in-depth system.

Can you make predictions through palmistry?

You cannot make predictions with palmistry. However, since there is a definite mind-body connection, we know that negative or positive thinking affects our well-being. As well, due to our habitual way of thinking, we often repeat the same behaviour in the future as we exhibit in the present. If we can understand the pattern of our habits and thinking, then we can begin to isolate the negative cycles of behaviour and can replace them with positive new ones. Palmistry can help you see these patterns. With this information, you can shape own destiny.

How does palmistry work?

Palmistry is best seen as a dynamic process. The lines of the hand are not carved in stone. Since the lines of the hand reflect our thinking, as our attitudes and behaviour patterns change, the lines reflect these changes. The lines physically change as our thinking changes. In fact, you can see distinct changes in as little as three months.

Which hand do you read?

It is important to look at both hands during a reading. Depending on which hand is active (usually seen as the hand you write with), in combination with the inactive hand, shows where you have been (passive), and where you are likely headed (active) in this life.

I believe that Dr. Birla is the likely original author, and that is how I've currently listed it on the palmistry scams page.

On April 21 I emailed both of them about this apparent plagiarism, but so far have received no answer from either one. (At lease Dr. Birla's secretary emailed me back saying she'd forward my message to him.)

If anyone knows for sure who the original author of this material is, please let me know.