Psychic Visit

tiger_eyes

Tropez wrote: »

No, because my qualifications are in psychology-related fields and consequently I am well versed in how easily people can be manipulated and how fragile the mind can be with regards to coincidence.

Furthermore, the lack of supposed psychics submitting to scientific testing to prove their gifts is quite telling. Humans have conquered a significant number of limitations of our species and ideals, such as being able to fly, and we have made significant leaps in other areas, such as medicine and space flight - we might not be there yet, but we are much farther than we were two hundred years ago in virtually all sciences.

But not the majority of paranormal sciences, including psychic abilities. In fact, we haven't moved an inch and yet we have every reason to do so - governments spend billions each year on agencies trying to predict the future for the purposes of security. We spend not insignificant amounts of money trying to work out the past. It would be so much easier and so less costly if psychic abilities existed and could be verified.

Yet the psychic community has been both unable and unwilling to submit to tests, even when the rewards are substantial. It isn't just about Randi's $1m but it is about recognition and validation for the entire community. If we could prove that these abilities existed it would be as groundbreaking for our species as the discovery of electricity. It would cause the scientific community to rethink what we know about the capabilities and limitations of our species. It could usher in a new era of scientific, political, cultural and social enlightenment as we try and harness those abilities, understand them and learn from them.

Yet we have nothing. Nobody has come forward to prove it.

What we do have though is an equally old science that has proven how people can be manipulated into things, how simple vague phrases can persuade others and how what amounts to a magic trick of words can write code into a brain like a computer program.

I regret that I only have one thanks to give to this post.

Tropez

tiger_eyes wrote: »

I regret that I only have one thanks to give to this post.

I could post it again.

heartbreak_star

Derren Brown is awesome.

I have had a psychic read, Mum was determined I should, and she paid for it.

As suspected, bunkum.

HBS x

RichardD1970

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Derren Brown is awesome.

HBS x

Would love to see him live, but the wife refuses, as she is petrified as to what he could make her/us do. Loves watching him on tv though :rotfl:

jollymummy

If psychics exist, why hasn't Doris Stokes been in touch from the other side? I realise I'm showing my age here

Or was she a medium? not sure I believe in their abilities either.

barbiedoll

There was a (quite) famous medium who used to live near me and she was often quoted in the media saying "The police consult me when they have a case with no leads"

I worked for the local police force and I once asked my boss about her. He told me that whenever there was a high profile case, she would write to the station, stating that she had seen a mysterious stranger, a possible shallow grave, images of a room with secrets etc etc etc. He said that his secretary would write a nice reply, thanking her for her help and hoping that she would understand that he couldn't acknowledge her role in any investigation. He said that not once did any of her letters contain anything helpful to any case that he had worked on. He thought she was a harmless old dear who meant well and as he said, if anyone thinks that £20 will buy them a glimpse of the future, good luck to them!

geoffky

Psychiatric treatment is available to those that believe in fairy's and people who claim to talk to dead people.

Amazing that not one has ever claimed the million dollar prize on offer by randi..

bromleymum

I have no sympathy for the gullible. If you want to waste your money on a load of old tosh, you go for it! We have all wasted money in the past on various things.

However, when it comes to preying on the grieving it makes my blood boil. The loss of a loved one is incredible painful and to hear certain famous idiots talking in dead children's voices etc. is sick, beyond sick. How can a human being pretend to talk to a parent as the dead child! Just think about how low someone will go to make money.

These psychics are not deluded, but contemptuous of their believers.

Please people, put them out of business and get them off our TV screens.

meritaten

Tropez wrote: »

There are a great number of standing challenges for significant sums of money for just one person to prove their abilities under scientific scrutiny. James Randi's is the most famous and has been a standing offer of $1m since the mid-1960s. It remains unclaimed.

Even if these "gifted" individuals were not in it for the money (the most commonly cited reason) surely the ability to prove their craft and have $1m (more if they take more challenges) to distribute among charities or the poor and unfortunates would be reason enough to prove Randi wrong?

You know I am not a fan of most psychics - I agree there are a lot of charlatans out there!
but I am really fed up of people using the name 'James Randi' to 'Prove' all Pyschics/mediums/Ghosts are fake. The James Randi Foundation is solely administered by ...........oh guess who? James Randi - and no matter how good the evidence he is NEVER going to pay someone £1million.
The fact that Randi wont pay out does not in any way prove anything is fake. I could take out an ad and offer a million quid to anyone who could prove psychics are real - and then not pay out. anyone can. to me, James Randi is just as much a con artist as those he claims to despise - he has bought himself a LOT of publicity and public attention by NOT paying out a 'dime'. what a scam!

Tropez

meritaten wrote: »

You know I am not a fan of most psychics - I agree there are a lot of charlatans out there!
but I am really fed up of people using the name 'James Randi' to 'Prove' all Pyschics/mediums/Ghosts are fake. The James Randi Foundation is solely administered by ...........oh guess who? James Randi - and no matter how good the evidence he is NEVER going to pay someone £1million.
The fact that Randi wont pay out does not in any way prove anything is fake. I could take out an ad and offer a million quid to anyone who could prove psychics are real - and then not pay out. anyone can. to me, James Randi is just as much a con artist as those he claims to despise - he has bought himself a LOT of publicity and public attention by NOT paying out a 'dime'. what a scam!

The contracts that are agreed upon when someone presents themselves for scrutiny say otherwise. Randi does not even hold the money himself, instead it is held by a third party investment company waiting to be claimed.

Had anyone proven themselves and Randi had somehow blocked payment that in itself would be a huge story.

There are also plenty of other standing offers for evidence that have gone unclaimed. Randi's is the most notable hence his name is brought up more often but there's quite a number of other challenges, from all sorts of groups and individuals, with clear and concise rules and contracts and still... nothing.

Nonetheless, regardless of how you feel about Randi it does not negate any of the points I made later on.