Let's assume they are all fake. What's their point? I'm not talking about famous mediums like John Edward, Van Praagh or those that become very wealthy. I'm talking about small time mediums that are well educated and even have good jobs and do this part time. I'm sure they could find another way to make some extra income. I know I wouldn't wanna put myself out there, risk negative stuff on the internet etc just for a couple extra dollars. Plus I'm sure it takes a lot of practice, years and years to become decent at it. Let me just say I would never defraud people out of money pretending to speak to their dead relatives, maybe some justify it by thinking they're helping people in their grief. I just find it cruel if not real especially some of these mediums who charge $1,000 plus an hour. That's just evil. This post was prompted by a medium I follow on FB. I had a reading with her months ago (was the only paid reading I ever had) she also had a radio show and sounded very sincere about her beliefs. She posted on FB for Father's Day abt her dad who died when she was 19. She spoke about how he never got to see her as an adult. Just something that made me go hmmm. She told my family my husband is always around and sees everything that's going on I wonder why her dad doesn't.
So this left me with the question, why? She's well educated, a retired teacher, also an artist who I believe also sells her paintings. There are other ways to make money.
Let's assume they are all fake. What's their point?
No assumption needed, history and science states that they are statistically improbable to be genuine. They are fake. Their point, well you would have to ask them, but they will lie. Money, Fame, ego, a need to feel special are a few reasons I have seen
I'm talking about small time mediums that are well educated and even have good jobs and do this part time.
Some may have been indoctrinated as children, some may be deluded they have real powers, some just need to feel special and different. Ever wondered why so many male mediums are gay? Nothing to do with being sensitive, more to do with being bullied as kids, constantly fighting a battle, and being made to feel small, or wrong etc, by becoming psychic, they suddenly feel special, like they are better than the bullies. That is one example.
I'm sure they could find another way to make some extra income.
Yes, but not many ways are as easy and profitible as being a fake psychic. And most dont even pay tax, so it is cash in hand. £30 for 20 minutes of bulls*it, it is easy to justify fraud when you making money so easily.
I know I wouldn't wanna put myself out there, risk negative stuff on the internet etc just for a couple extra dollars.
not just a couple of extra dollars is it though.
Plus I'm sure it takes a lot of practice, years and years to become decent at it.
Not at all, some people are just naturally good at reading body language, and picking up on peoples emotions, and if you have been a fan of this kind of thing most of your life, you pick up the tricks without even realising, that is why you often see the techniques used by the likes of John Edwards used by no name wannabes on youtube.
Let me just say I would never defraud people out of money pretending to speak to their dead relatives, maybe some justify it by thinking they're helping people in their grief. I just find it cruel if not real especially some of these mediums who charge $1,000 plus an hour. That's just evil.
It takes a special kind of evil bastard to knowingly be a fake medium. I right now could easily be one of the biggest mediums in the UK, seriously, I have a natural ability when it comes to reading people, I have stood on stage and given readings and been very accurate, and that is without cold reading or hot reading, just using basic emotions and guess work. But what stopped me was my morals, my ethics, my conscience, at knowing what I was doing was not real.
This post was prompted by a medium I follow on FB. I had a reading with her months ago (was the only paid reading I ever had) she also had a radio show and sounded very sincere about her beliefs. She posted on FB for Father's Day abt her dad who died when she was 19. She spoke about how he never got to see her as an adult. Just something that made me go hmmm. She told my family my husband is always around and sees everything that's going on I wonder why her dad doesn't.
So this left me with the question, why? She's well educated, a retired teacher, also an artist who I believe also sells her paintings. There are other ways to make money.
Clearly she knows she is a fake, and in that post she kinda revealed it. Always amazes me when a medium claims they are missing a loved one, for if what they claim was real, there would be no grief at all!
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
I guess I'm coming from the perspective of someone with a conscience and can't understand making the choice to deliberately defraud people (especially under the circumstances to which most go to a medium) when there are other ways to make money. I paid a little less than price you quoted $120 for 60 min, not a huge amount but not peanuts either, you're right. I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
Post by Mr. Jon Donnis on Jun 21, 2016 13:58:34 GMT
Many people do really start it from a good place, they have experiences they cant explain, find that they are naturally good with people, pick up non verbal things like if a person is sad, or upset. Put all this together with a starting point of already believing in ghosts, the paranormal and psychics, and it is easy to convince yourself you have powers, hell one of the classic lines from a psychic is to tell the victim they have psychic powers too!
So you go along starting to convince yourself you have powers, you figure that if you help things along with a bit of cold reading that it wont hurt as you really do have the powers, and believe you are helping people.
But with every psychic who starts off like this, there comes the "justification day" the day when you realise you really do not have powers, and you have to make a choice, do you stop what you are doing, admit you are not psychic, or just pretend you are not interested any more, or do you keep doing it, knowing its fake, but justifying it under the false belief you are helping people, and why not make some money along the way too.
To be a psychic you do need some psychopathic tendencies, by that I mean a lack of true empathy, an ability to not feel guilt or at least ignore it. The average person cant ignore these feelings, and a lot of mediums turn to alcohol or drugs or other vices.
Derek Acorah has been known to have battled with alcohol, Colin Fry died from lung cancer from decades of nervous smoking. Sylvia Brown died from ill health brought on from certain vices too, strokes, clots and so on.
Now those 3 are deliberate frauds, no delusions.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
I've listened to a certain person on YouTube (not sure if I can name) that speaks about her 'gift' in a very convincing way. She speaks about getting validation herself as in certain things that she knows that she couldn't have otherwise known. So I think that some do believe and are convinced themselves by the 'facts' they are able to bring through. I don't think it's as cut and dried as seeing a spirit or having a conversation with them. That is, if it were real lol. I agree about Sylvia Brown, outright fraud. Montel Williams had her on his show weekly, which I found completely despicable. James Van Praagh is another I feel is deliberately defrauding people. The other two you mentioned I don't know as I live in US. I do continue to read about and listen to mediums (no paid readings though can't say I never will) because I do find it fascinating and I am looking for validation that our loved ones really are 'out there' somewhere.
Many people do really start it from a good place, they have experiences they cant explain, find that they are naturally good with people, pick up non verbal things like if a person is sad, or upset. Put all this together with a starting point of already believing in ghosts, the paranormal and psychics, and it is easy to convince yourself you have powers, hell one of the classic lines from a psychic is to tell the victim they have psychic powers too!
So you go along starting to convince yourself you have powers, you figure that if you help things along with a bit of cold reading that it wont hurt as you really do have the powers, and believe you are helping people.
But with every psychic who starts off like this, there comes the "justification day" the day when you realise you really do not have powers, and you have to make a choice, do you stop what you are doing, admit you are not psychic, or just pretend you are not interested any more, or do you keep doing it, knowing its fake, but justifying it under the false belief you are helping people, and why not make some money along the way too.
To be a psychic you do need some psychopathic tendencies, by that I mean a lack of true empathy, an ability to not feel guilt or at least ignore it. The average person cant ignore these feelings, and a lot of mediums turn to alcohol or drugs or other vices.
Derek Acorah has been known to have battled with alcohol, Colin Fry died from lung cancer from decades of nervous smoking. Sylvia Brown died from ill health brought on from certain vices too, strokes, clots and so on.
Now those 3 are deliberate frauds, no delusions.
Wow many interesting observations regarding the psyche of mediums that I never really thought of.
Wow many interesting observations regarding the psyche of mediums that I never really thought of.
It comes from over 13 years of talking to such people, investigating them, talking with victims and so on. There is a lot more I could go into if i had the time.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
I've listened to a certain person on YouTube (not sure if I can name) that speaks about her 'gift' in a very convincing way.
Whats stopping you from naming them? Go for it.
She speaks about getting validation herself as in certain things that she knows that she couldn't have otherwise known.
That old classic of validation. In real world situations it is totally worthless as evidence, as proven by magicians the world over.
So I think that some do believe and are convinced themselves by the 'facts' they are able to bring through.
Yes that is how the delusion starts, they receive validation that what they have said is real, so they further convince themselves. Sadly the vast majority of psychics are of a low IQ, see previous post about wanting to feel special, or better than others. From being a regular person of low intelligence, suddenly you are a magical person with magic powers of talking to the dead, or healing and so on. This low intelligence is one of the causes of the delusions.
I don't think it's as cut and dried as seeing a spirit or having a conversation with them. That is, if it were real lol.
If a psychic/medium is really hearing voices or seeing images of the dead, then they are suffering from mental illness, and psychosis, and really should see a GP about getting a referrel to a mental health specialist.
The ONLY difference between a psychic and a psychopath is that the voices aren't telling the psychic to kill people.
I agree about Sylvia Brown, outright fraud. Montel Williams had her on his show weekly, which I found completely despicable. James Van Praagh is another I feel is deliberately defrauding people. The other two you mentioned I don't know as I live in US.
John Edwards is a US psychic, 100% fraud. James Van Praagh as well 100% fraud and proven to be a fraud too, both he and Edwards got caught cheating a few times.
I do continue to read about and listen to mediums (no paid readings though can't say I never will) because I do find it fascinating and I am looking for validation that our loved ones really are 'out there' somewhere.
I can understand the fascination, but looking for "validation" will only mean you will eventually delude yourself.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
Her name is Carole Lynne, she has a few videos on YouTube. These are not readings but just her discussing the afterlife and her 'gift'.
I do know John Edward I was speaking of Colin Frye and Derek something that you mentioned. Not familiar with them. I've never been to a group reading but some of these mediums must be pretty good to be able to charge what they charge and have sold out events. Yes there is some negative stuff on the internet but not as much as you would expect considering say someone like John Edwards who's been doing this a very long time (maybe over 20 years). Are so many people just gullible? I'm in as much grief as anyone could be but I'm not stupid, I guess that's what I'm trying to say.
After losing someone like I did, I feel the need to have faith that there is something more. I don't think that's a bad thing. I did have one phone reading but I am not stupid enough or desperate enough to continue. Then again, I can't say that I never will for the rest of my life.
Now you say the vast majority of phychic mediums have a low IQ. My IQ is pretty decent but I couldn't do what they do. Having to read people's body language, clothes etc., then make educated guesses and rattle off facts at a mile a minute pace (for some). And what is it they learn in these mediumship courses, cold reading? (Which to me is fraud) or how to raise your vibration, or is it lower it I've forgotten lol, to speak to the dead. It's confusing.
Anyway, I guess I'd have to listen to you since you've been studying them for so long but still hoping to find THE one that is genuine.
I do know John Edward I was speaking of Colin Frye and Derek something that you mentioned. Not familiar with them.
Colin Fry died last year, Derek Acorah is famous for being on Most Haunted.
I've never been to a group reading but some of these mediums must be pretty good to be able to charge what they charge and have sold out events.
You will always have successful conmen, the better they are the more they con.
Yes there is some negative stuff on the internet but not as much as you would expect considering say someone like John Edwards who's been doing this a very long time (maybe over 20 years). Are so many people just gullible? I'm in as much grief as anyone could be but I'm not stupid, I guess that's what I'm trying to say.
Lemar Keene in his book "The Psychic Mafia" coined the term, "True Believer Syndrome" this is where even after a medium has been exposed as faked, their followers still believe in them, or find a way to ignore the con. It is a psychological issue, afterall no one likes to think they have been conned right? Many believers simply jump to another psychic after the one they believe in is exposed.
After losing someone like I did, I feel the need to have faith that there is something more. I don't think that's a bad thing. I did have one phone reading but I am not stupid enough or desperate enough to continue. Then again, I can't say that I never will for the rest of my life.
Faith is fine, belief that there is something more is also fine if it makes you feel better, hell that is basically all religion. But the one difference with spiritualism is this deliberate and purposeful act to con people, by using psychological techniques and blatant cheating. As much as a priest will talk rubbish, they still rely on blind faith, a psychic however will manipulate you, lie to you and con you to get your belief.
Now you say the vast majority of phychic mediums have a low IQ. My IQ is pretty decent but I couldn't do what they do.
You think that being a psychic is this deep super intelligent thing. It really isnt. Ok so the super famous super rich ones will be the exceptions, but your average tarot card reader just regurgitates the same things over and over again.
Having to read people's body language, clothes etc., then make educated guesses and rattle off facts at a mile a minute pace (for some).
Practice makes perfect. Do something enough times over and you get good at it, even if you have a low IQ.
And what is it they learn in these mediumship courses, cold reading? (Which to me is fraud) or how to raise your vibration, or is it lower it I've forgotten lol, to speak to the dead. It's confusing.
A lot of these courses do not deliberately teach cold reading, but they do enable it in their members by not closing it down when it happens naturally.
If you are a parent, are you able to tell when your child is sad or depressed without them saying anything? Do you need a high IQ and psychological training to know that? Or does it just come naturally?
Anyway, I guess I'd have to listen to you since you've been studying them for so long but still hoping to find THE one that is genuine
No, you do not have to listen to me, this is one important lesson to learn, just because I seem knowledgeable doesn't mean my opinion is right. I encourage people to think for themselves and make their own minds up. Use critical thinking, common sense, look at what is most likely.
If I say something and I am wrong, I damn sure want everyone I know to tell me, for that way I can learn and grow.
So yeah listen to what I say, think about things, and then make your own mind up, and when something happens you are not sure of, ask me, ask others, get as many opinions as you can, and see which one makes the most sense.
Remember, I am just a faceless person on the internet. Never give authority to anyone, the only authority that really matters is your own, and your own mind and thoughts.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
I do know John Edward I was speaking of Colin Frye and Derek something that you mentioned. Not familiar with them.
Colin Fry died last year, Derek Acorah is famous for being on Most Haunted.
I've never been to a group reading but some of these mediums must be pretty good to be able to charge what they charge and have sold out events.
You will always have successful conmen, the better they are the more they con.
Yes there is some negative stuff on the internet but not as much as you would expect considering say someone like John Edwards who's been doing this a very long time (maybe over 20 years). Are so many people just gullible? I'm in as much grief as anyone could be but I'm not stupid, I guess that's what I'm trying to say.
Lemar Keene in his book "The Psychic Mafia" coined the term, "True Believer Syndrome" this is where even after a medium has been exposed as faked, their followers still believe in them, or find a way to ignore the con. It is a psychological issue, afterall no one likes to think they have been conned right? Many believers simply jump to another psychic after the one they believe in is exposed.
After losing someone like I did, I feel the need to have faith that there is something more. I don't think that's a bad thing. I did have one phone reading but I am not stupid enough or desperate enough to continue. Then again, I can't say that I never will for the rest of my life.
Faith is fine, belief that there is something more is also fine if it makes you feel better, hell that is basically all religion. But the one difference with spiritualism is this deliberate and purposeful act to con people, by using psychological techniques and blatant cheating. As much as a priest will talk rubbish, they still rely on blind faith, a psychic however will manipulate you, lie to you and con you to get your belief.
Now you say the vast majority of phychic mediums have a low IQ. My IQ is pretty decent but I couldn't do what they do.
You think that being a psychic is this deep super intelligent thing. It really isnt. Ok so the super famous super rich ones will be the exceptions, but your average tarot card reader just regurgitates the same things over and over again.
Having to read people's body language, clothes etc., then make educated guesses and rattle off facts at a mile a minute pace (for some).
Practice makes perfect. Do something enough times over and you get good at it, even if you have a low IQ.
And what is it they learn in these mediumship courses, cold reading? (Which to me is fraud) or how to raise your vibration, or is it lower it I've forgotten lol, to speak to the dead. It's confusing.
A lot of these courses do not deliberately teach cold reading, but they do enable it in their members by not closing it down when it happens naturally.
If you are a parent, are you able to tell when your child is sad or depressed without them saying anything? Do you need a high IQ and psychological training to know that? Or does it just come naturally?
Anyway, I guess I'd have to listen to you since you've been studying them for so long but still hoping to find THE one that is genuine
No, you do not have to listen to me, this is one important lesson to learn, just because I seem knowledgeable doesn't mean my opinion is right. I encourage people to think for themselves and make their own minds up. Use critical thinking, common sense, look at what is most likely.
If I say something and I am wrong, I damn sure want everyone I know to tell me, for that way I can learn and grow.
So yeah listen to what I say, think about things, and then make your own mind up, and when something happens you are not sure of, ask me, ask others, get as many opinions as you can, and see which one makes the most sense.
Remember, I am just a faceless person on the internet. Never give authority to anyone, the only authority that really matters is your own, and your own mind and thoughts.
If you are a parent, are you able to tell when your child is sad or depressed without them saying anything?
Yes it's called mothers intuition and intuition is what phychic ability is based on so maybe I'm phychic too! Lol
I guess I worded things wrong. It's not that I have to listen to you or should, it's that I do place a lot of credence in what you say since you have a lot of experience with this topic. Do I think you're 100% right? No lol but when you say someone is a proven fraud I believe you. In the end of course I have to make up my own mind and I'm not quite there yet.
Sorry I couldn't figure out how to quote u there in the first sentence.
If you are a parent, are you able to tell when your child is sad or depressed without them saying anything?
Yes it's called mothers intuition and intuition is what phychic ability is based on so maybe I'm phychic too! Lol
Psychics do use basic intuition to pick up on things, its nothing paranormal though, just using your senses to their best abilities.
I guess I worded things wrong. It's not that I have to listen to you or should, it's that I do place a lot of credence in what you say since you have a lot of experience with this topic. Do I think you're 100% right? No lol but when you say someone is a proven fraud I believe you. In the end of course I have to make up my own mind and I'm not quite there yet.
I like nothing more than being questioned, and if I am wrong i hold my hands up and admit it.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
I like nothing more than being questioned, and if I am wrong i hold my hands up and admit it.
I've read a lot of posts here and have yet to see that happen!! Lol
When it comes to psychics, i have yet to be proven wrong, but on general stuff it happens all the time. Trick is to only talk about stuff you know to be true even under scrutiny of the highest level, that way you can never be proven wrong.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
