Originally Posted by NogBad_the_Bad

Ravers, it's a scam. I've been to see Derren Brown's various shows and some of the things he tells the audience about themselves are astounding.

I used to put this down to the cunning use of carefully placed stooges until he picked on a mate of mine and told him stuff that he couldn't have possibly known.

Now although it all looks really impressive, Brown admits upfront that he has no psychic abilities and he's just using techniques and cons that mediums have been using for years.

It's clever stuff though, and even if you know it's all bogus it's still bloody impressive.

And you believe him? He tells you that so he can get your PIN by telepathy without you suspecting a thing

I'm the least psychic person there is. I took a multiple-choice psychic test once and got a 100% wrong.

Originally Posted by Mugatu2

A long time ago I went to a psychic show, and the performer pulled me out and said that he knew my Dad was looking for me, and that we had fallen out, (this was true). Then he told me that Dad was pleased that I was happy, and then I he said something about a 1972 Hillman Avenger in beige, which was what Dad drove. At some point I seem to remember him reading out a cryptic rhyme, and at the end of that I appeared to have won a kind of plastic dustbin which was festooned with prosthetic bits in order to make it appear humanoid. Then he did a bit of an act with a large green bird puppet, and later changed to a comedy monkey type thing which kept noisily clearing its nose. At some point I think there was a man in a dinner jacket riding an ostrich. It was an emotional eveing all round.
If nothing else, they're a good night out these things.

Ted Rogers was indeed a much underrated hero of comedy!

Mystic Scouse here. I’m getting something through now, it’s… yes, it’s coming through strong and clear. It’s of an image of someone being taken in by a cold reading and then relating only the bits that seemed true even though the participant actually filled in all of the details and added meaning:

http://www.skepdic.com/coldread.html

The mists are parting even further and your granny or great-granny (her name might begin with S, or maybe M, or is that an aunt?) is telling me that some people will hold onto these beliefs no matter what evidence they are presented with.

Ravers, I think that the source of your problem was subtly hidden away in the original post:

You are part West Coast septic and therefore congenitally predisposed towards sporting thin aluminum [sic] headgear. I suggest that you seek a professional exorcist immediately and have your ex-colonial spirit excised!

Originally Posted by ScouseD

Mystic Scouse here. I’m getting something through now, it’s… yes, it’s coming through strong and clear. It’s of an image of someone being taken in by a cold reading and then relating only the bits that seemed true even though the participant actually filled in all of the details and added meaning:

http://www.skepdic.com/coldread.html

The mists are parting even further and your granny or great-granny (her name might begin with S, or maybe M, or is that an aunt?) is telling me that some people will hold onto these beliefs no matter what evidence they are presented with.

These were exactly my sentiments at first, but when the details came out and I was read the transcript from the session, it would appear not to be the case. The woman said nothing that wasn't relevant and mentioned a series of very specific things that you couldn't put down to persuasion.

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Ravers, I think that the source of your problem was subtly hidden away in the original post:

You are part West Coast septic and therefore congenitally predisposed towards sporting thin aluminum [sic] headgear. I suggest that you seek a professional exorcist immediately and have your ex-colonial spirit excised!

Don't you dare associate me with those crazy yanks. My dad beat any Americansism out of me at a young age and now I only speak with an American accent on the 4th of July and when Superbowl is on.

I do however have a penchant for eating chicken from a bucket and fcuking my cousin.

Originally Posted by Ravers

Originally Posted by ScouseD

Mystic Scouse here. I’m getting something through now, it’s… yes, it’s coming through strong and clear. It’s of an image of someone being taken in by a cold reading and then relating only the bits that seemed true even though the participant actually filled in all of the details and added meaning:

http://www.skepdic.com/coldread.html

The mists are parting even further and your granny or great-granny (her name might begin with S, or maybe M, or is that an aunt?) is telling me that some people will hold onto these beliefs no matter what evidence they are presented with.

These were exactly my sentiments at first, but when the details came out and I was read the transcript from the session, it would appear not to be the case. The woman said nothing that wasn't relevant and mentioned a series of very specific things that you couldn't put down to persuasion.

Fair enough, mate and no offence intended, but who provided the transcript? Also, this is a key quote from the link I provided:

The reader begins with generalities which are applicable to large segments of the population. He or she pays careful attention to reactions: words, body language, skin color, breathing patterns, dilation or contraction of the pupils of the eye, and more. The subject of the reading will usually convey important information to the reader: sometimes in words, and sometimes in bodily reactions to the reading.

From observation, the reader will feed back to the subject what the latter wants to hear. That is the overwhelming guiding principle of the mystics: Tell 'em what they want to hear. That will keep them coming back for more (Steiner 1989: 21).

In other words, body language and facial expression are key here and will not be related in any transcript, even assuming it’s fully accurate.

If the reading took place in the UK did your relative notice the “for entertainment only” (or similar) notice that is required by law?

I’ve managed to convince a few people that I’m physic with only very little “training” and they were/are just as convinced that I knew things about them I couldn’t possibly have known before. Part of the trick is to know how to employ subjective validation:

http://www.skepdic.com/subjectivevalidation.html

If it works for you or your family then crack on, but take what was said with a 4-tonner load of salt

Originally Posted by walt_of_the_walts

Frauds.

I saw a poster on the A23 last year.

It said:

PSYCHIC CONVENTION
CROYDON AIRPORT HOTEL
24-25TH MARCH 2009

Now if they really are psychic, they don't need the posters to advertise. They'd all turn up after getting a message through the ether from their red indian spirit guides surely?

It was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.....
(The old ones are the best!)

Originally Posted by Excognito

Originally Posted by NogBad_the_Bad

Ravers, it's a scam. I've been to see Derren Brown's various shows and some of the things he tells the audience about themselves are astounding.

I used to put this down to the cunning use of carefully placed stooges until he picked on a mate of mine and told him stuff that he couldn't have possibly known.

Now although it all looks really impressive, Brown admits upfront that he has no psychic abilities and he's just using techniques and cons that mediums have been using for years.

It's clever stuff though, and even if you know it's all bogus it's still bloody impressive.

And you believe him? He tells you that so he can get your PIN by telepathy without you suspecting a thing

There was a program on German TV last year on these lines.

The most memorable one, was a 'psycic' bloke waits at the top of a Berlin Bahnhoff and chooses a young woman who appears at random. He askes her if, by using his powers he could guide her to her flat, wher ever it is in Berlin. Cut to the short, he managed it and she was gob-smacked!

He then explained for the camera how he did it. It was no more than close observation (sometimes he held their arm very lightly) on how a person subconsciously acts/moves at turning points, getting on/off trams etc. Very interesting stuff, considering that this was quite a long journey.