Clairvoyants, mediums, psychics etc etc.

[KungFuPanda]

The other half wants to go and see a clairvoyant who’s performing at a pub in the arse end of North Manchester tomorrow. I’m sceptical but will go along if only for a chavvy dinner out beforehand.

So, continuing the theme, anyone have any amusing stories about the hocus pocus which is fortune telling, mediums, psychics etc etc.

[Jazoli]

Its all a load of bullst!

[Gary29]

Sounds like my worst nightmare, especially considering the kind of people these things usually appeal to. It's a no from me.

[GeneralSinn]

My other half believes massively in it all - she’s seen quite a few as well.

Years ago (probably 30) my mum went to see one who told her something about or that would happen to me. She refuses to this day to say what it was. It does have me intrigued but it could literally be anything!

[Scotfox]

Have read at this about one of the "top" Psychics, Sally Morgan. Written by a friend of mine . Says it all really IMHO.

https://psycicornot.wordpress.com/

[21TonyK]

I'm always in two minds about it either being some harmless fun or a very nasty way to manipulate people.

[Mr-B]

I remember Derren Brown doing a demonstration of cold reading (which is what all psychics do) which disproved entirely the claims of these people. I don't think it is harmless fun, it's a complete rip off. They are basically selling something that is 100% false, any other industry doing this would be shut down by trading standards. If it was sold as a cold/mind reading illusion event that would be different but they don't.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I was told I would soon be coming into money, and that night I shagged a girl called Penny.

[bucksmanuk]

I was told the real ones don't charge.
I'm still sceptical though

[red_slr]

KungFuPanda said:

The other half wants to go and see a clairvoyant who’s performing at a pub in the arse end of North Manchester tomorrow. I’m sceptical but will go along if only for a chavvy dinner out beforehand.

So, continuing the theme, anyone have any amusing stories about the hocus pocus which is fortune telling, mediums, psychics etc etc.

We prefer the term "scrote" thanks very much. Chavs live somewhere south of Burnage. Pfft coming round here with your fancy words.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Jazoli said:

Its all a load of bullst!

I knew somebody would post that...

[GroundEffect]

It is, of course, a load of rubbish.

James Randi still has his $1M challenge open. If they're real, it's an easy million to make.

[daddy cool]

Mr-B said:

I remember Derren Brown doing a demonstration of cold reading (which is what all psychics do) which disproved entirely the claims of these people.

If its the one im thinking of, it was brilliant - he had written all the contestants a page of "readings", and each one of them said "its amazing, its so accurate about me, etc etc"....


Then it turned out the sheet he gave each of them was identical...

[captain_cynic]

21TonyK said:

I'm always in two minds about it either being some harmless fun or a very nasty way to manipulate people.

It's all a nasty way to manipulate people for money.

Those who go to psychics go expecting something specific. The con artistry of celebrity psychics is to determine what this is, then draw it out. A famous one from the 90's and 00's was John Edwards, had his own TV show if you're not old enough to remember. Basically he'd have microphones in the lobby to listen in on idle conversation and plants to direct it. You can guarantee the thickest of people will talk about what they wanted so he'd know in advance who to pick out and Edwards simply had to act it out in a convincing fashion.

At least that was manipulating people for TV ratings... The ones that do pubs or private venues are pure scum.

[B17NNS]

daddy cool said:

If its the one im thinking of, it was brilliant - he had written all the contestants a page of "readings", and each one of them said "its amazing, its so accurate about me, etc etc"....

Then it turned out the sheet he gave each of them was identical...

The Barnum Effect

Clairvoyants, mediums and psychics use cold reading to exploit people at their most vulnerable.

The Man Who Contacts The Dead - Derren Brown Investigates

[Connectors]

GroundEffect said:

James Randi still has his $1M challenge open.

I don't think he has? It is all bks though, I agree.

[paulguitar]

I loved that story about the newspaper astrologist who was terminated and received a letter from the paper's editor which started:

'As you will already be aware'.

[wraggy]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I was told I would soon be coming into money, and that night I shagged a girl called Penny.

That made me chuckle, thanks...

[aclivity]

My wife went to visit one when we started seeing each other.

The "psychic" said that the person she was seeing was not the right pets for her, she should expect the relationship to fizzle out.

After 30 years and 4 kids, I do wonder when she will leave me?

By the way, it is all garbage. Also ghosts are not real.

[KungFuPanda]

Connectors said:

GroundEffect said:

James Randi still has his $1M challenge open.

I don't think he has? It is all bks though, I agree.

I think the terms of the challenge have changed?