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by **jdcarr** » Jun 5th, '07, 00:39

MartinUK wrote: Or the nearest lottery outlet perhaps?

Well, exactly! How many supposed "psychics" win the lottery?

Seriously, though, I think most people of even moderate intelligence can suspend their disbelief and compartmentalise their brain enough to thoroughly enjoy and be mystified and elated by a magic or mentalist performance which is for ENTERTAINMENT, without having to believe it's real.

by **samstorey** » Jun 5th, '07, 01:02

jdcarr wrote:Psychic phenomena does not exist. This is a reasonable assumption to make because no one has yet proved that it does. If they ever do present solid evidence, then fine.

Whenever this argument comes up (and when I'm around it often does) I put it this way. If you woke up one morning and found you could genuinely predict future events or interact with "spirits" or heal people merely by touching their wallets, what would you do? Ring the psychiatrist, clearly, but what would you actually do? Well personally I would run to the nearest scientist or doctor or professional institute for testing such things and ask to be tested. Tested, tested, tested! I'd want to be certified as having this gift and be differentiated from all the cranks out there. You would become the biggest celebrity on the planet, win twenty-odd Nobel Prizes, claim James Randi's $1,000,000... the world's your lobster.

What I wouldn't do is book a month-long tour of crappy end-of-the-pier theatres and spend two hours each evening asking people if the letter A means anything to them. Could it be these people really don't believe in their abilities and their -opathies after all?

But as an occasional magician - supposed purveyor of the paranormal - I am torn. When I perform mentalist effects, I make it clear I don't believe in psychic ability or anything paranormal at all. Maybe I'll offer an explanation - accurate or otherwise - about reading body language and so on, as most people do, but I simply couldn't perform anything that would leave a spectator believing in the paranormal. You've just corrupted a brain. For all the excitement and drama and showmanship, there must be an unspoken understanding that your illusions are just that.

The last thing the world needs is more irrational beliefs. We've got more than enough already!

I would like your permision to qoute that exactly to everyone when they tell me i should believe in pschics

by **IAIN** » Jun 5th, '07, 08:29

well, magic wise, it's all a lie regardless of what you tell people "it" is for the most part anyway...

by the way, im atheist, and i dont especially believe in psychic stuff, but do believe that we are all intuitive, and somethings can't quite be explained - such as why is it, if someone is looking at you, and you can't see them, how come we can sometimes pick up on that? and why are some people "naturally" good at something? like singing for instance...

anyway, perhaps being psychic shouldnt be defined in such a hollywood fashion? but! while it is, i think thats why people explain stuff away as such...its somehow easier to accept a "reason", than accept a "lie"..even if it is for entertainment...

Derren Brown psychic? of course he isnt...he's an alien!

by **Jae** » Jun 5th, '07, 19:34

I'm nowhere near the calibre of DB but have had a few people try to tell me I must be psychic to achieve some of the effects and experiments I've demonstrated. In those situations I take a great ego hit, thank them, smile and say "I'm not sure". I used to enjoy jumping into battle on the genuine or otherwise front but maturity or at least age has led me to realise that it's simply not worth the bother. People will believe what they want with or without genuine proof.

Where I do get very angry is when I see peoples emotions being played with and manipulated by charlatans claiming to be passing messages from beyond the grave. In a few incidences it may be helpful to the person but most times I can not see any positive other than generating cash & esteem for the 'psychic/medium'.

by **Anaryn** » Jun 7th, '07, 17:50

A 'psychic' came to my aunts house last week, and members of my family all fauned over her, and all got quite upset because of the recent death of my nan.

I find this manipulation disgusting, and knowing that they all paid, and believed her!! I couldnd't bring myself to rant infront of them.

However, when my sister was told by-proxily, that another 'psychic' told her to take more care driving else she'd have an accident, I simply had to agree with the 'psychic' cus I know my sister, and how badly she drives, and if she isn't going to listen to me, she may aswell listen to the 'spitit world.'

So, I suppose sometimes it's helpful, but I still think it's a huge pile of expletives!! :evil:

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