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Original poster

DP believes some psychics are real, I think he's lost it

319 replies

Dpi8 · 21/12/2023 00:09

A discussion about a documentary I watched last night descended into an argument today when chatting over dinner. It was about Derren Brown and how he tests so called psychic mediums in an attempt to prove that it's a load of old rubbish - which I agree with him on.

He got majorly arsey with me when I told him about cold reading and the other techniques they use, such as using vague statements that could apply to most people in the sitters demographic. IE, telling an elderly lady that they have a parent in the spirit world who had a dodgy knee.

I asked him for some examples from which he reached his conclusion that some are genuine but he wasn't forthcoming with anything of any substance, simply mentioning some bloke from the Ghost Adventures series who wanders around buildings 'debunking' certain things for plausible deniabily then making up shite of his own to 'prove' the contact.

This is a hill I'm prepared to die on as I will not accept that such tosh is in any way genuine.

AIBU to say that absolutely all psychics are full of shit?

OP posts:
WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 21/12/2023 21:12

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 20:55

The document I read involved placing a series of numbers hundreds of miles from the participant. The control would surely be just not telling them the numbers. I actually think this setup was tipped against the remote viewer, because it’s rare they can travel that far and remain in the earth dimension.

All remote viewing has long been regarded as bunkum.

All psychic connection has long been regarded as bunkum.

There isn’t a shred of evidence for any of it.

But, for a laugh, what in the name of Captain Pugwash does “it’s rare they can travel that far and remain in the earth dimension” mean? Have you been watching old episodes of Sapphire and Steel?

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:17

@WhatsTheUseOfWorrying it’s from what I’ve read. Unless they’re highly experienced it’s very hard for them to travel large distances on earth: they end up in other dimensions.

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 21/12/2023 21:23

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:17

@WhatsTheUseOfWorrying it’s from what I’ve read. Unless they’re highly experienced it’s very hard for them to travel large distances on earth: they end up in other dimensions.

Edited

Righty hoo…

KnittedPond · 21/12/2023 21:23

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:17

@WhatsTheUseOfWorrying it’s from what I’ve read. Unless they’re highly experienced it’s very hard for them to travel large distances on earth: they end up in other dimensions.

Edited

Read it where?

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:25

@KnittedPond Robert Monroe and Robert Bruce

IncompleteSenten · 21/12/2023 21:28

Tbh I'd be more inclined to think individual incompetence or bias on the part of the researchers or even that the CIA had an agenda that involved it being rumoured that the USA had 'secret' super spies working for the government that had the magic ability to see into secure buildings in other countries than that the CIA were alone in scientific history in being able to prove ESP in controlled conditions .

EmmaEmerald · 21/12/2023 21:34

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:17

@WhatsTheUseOfWorrying it’s from what I’ve read. Unless they’re highly experienced it’s very hard for them to travel large distances on earth: they end up in other dimensions.

Edited

Now I don't know what dimension I'm in 🤔

KrisAkabusi · 21/12/2023 21:46

Wish I could remember more but it was the car description that got me. She couldn't have known it.

Which means you've forgotten the bits she got wrong! It's pure confirmation bias.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/12/2023 21:48

CoatOfArms · 21/12/2023 08:32

About 20 years ago an American guy put up $1 million as a prize for anyone who can demonstrate psychic abilities under laboratory conditions. Yet to be claimed.

https://www.wired.com/2007/01/skeptic-revamps-1m-psychic-prize/

What sort of psychic abilities?

My DM, who was always a hyper-sensitive type anyway, was occasionally telepathic over very long distances, but only when a family member was in some sort of trouble or acute distress. She would dream exact details, at the time it was happening, and tell us, and they would later be confirmed.

But because her ability only ever occurred when someone close was in distress, it could never have been proved under lab conditions.

KrisAkabusi · 21/12/2023 21:55

My DM, who was always a hyper-sensitive type anyway, was occasionally telepathic over very long distances, but only when a family member was in some sort of trouble or acute distress. She would dream exact details, at the time it was happening, and tell us, and they would later be confirmed.

So, by your own words here, there were times when family members were in distress, but she never realised. And if they were in distress during the day, she would never know because she only dreamt about it? Did she ever dream that people were in distress but they were fine, tucked up in bed?

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:55

If I had powers I would be scared to prove it for the million in case the government kidnapped me

Frabbits · 21/12/2023 21:58

EmmaEmerald · 21/12/2023 19:36

@Frabbits "We do know however, that EVERY single person claiming to be psychic is either deluded or lying. We know how it's done, we know why it's done. There is nothing mysterious or unknown about it at all."

Every single one? You don't allow for any exceptions at all?

Note - I'd never suggest anyone part with money to go and see one, or give personal info, or go to a show (unless for fun).

There is always a logical explaination for a "psychic", just like no matter how amazing any magic show is, there is always a (usually pretty simple) trick behind it.

Always.

KnittedPond · 21/12/2023 22:00

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:55

If I had powers I would be scared to prove it for the million in case the government kidnapped me

Well, given that ‘psychic powers’ seem to manifest themselves chiefly as saying ‘I have a man whose initial is M, or maybe N, who is pointing to his chest — anyone?’, I reckon you’re pretty safe.

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:02

Remote numbers? I've been thinking of a number all day and nobody has guessed it.

BettyUnderswoob · 21/12/2023 22:05

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 21:55

If I had powers I would be scared to prove it for the million in case the government kidnapped me

There are thousands of people all over the country plying their psychic trade and displaying their "powers" to all and sundry (for a fee, mind); none have thus far been kidnapped by the government.

I wonder why 🧐

Pizdietz · 21/12/2023 22:07

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:02

Remote numbers? I've been thinking of a number all day and nobody has guessed it.

47!

Britpop123 · 21/12/2023 22:08

It’s is all fake. Every single one

there may be some who genuinely believe what they are doing is psychic and are somehow subconsciously cold reading, but the vast majority are just fakes.

it can never and will never be proven

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:21

Pizdietz · 21/12/2023 22:07

47!

Show quote history

Nope.

I promise I'll be honest if anyone gets it.

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:21

BettyUnderswoob · 21/12/2023 22:05

There are thousands of people all over the country plying their psychic trade and displaying their "powers" to all and sundry (for a fee, mind); none have thus far been kidnapped by the government.

I wonder why 🧐

Show quote history

They always knew the kidnapper was coming, obviously.

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 22:22

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:02

Remote numbers? I've been thinking of a number all day and nobody has guessed it.

247

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:22

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 22:22

247

Show quote history

Closer.

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 22:23

That’s very weird- I never saw other people saying 47. What is that about ? Why have 2 people said 47 ?
Edit: nvm it was one

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 22:25

2473

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:27

ValerieMoore · 21/12/2023 22:25

2473

You were closer before.

BettyUnderswoob · 21/12/2023 22:28

NonPlayerCharacter · 21/12/2023 22:21

They always knew the kidnapper was coming, obviously.

Show quote history

Duh me! 🤪

Of course!

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