What Do You Think Of The Psychic Detectives We're Seeing On Television? (secret, government)

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by Haaziq

Agreed. Not to mention, James Randi still has his million dollar challenge for anybody who can demonstrate anything that is supernatural. Sylvia Browne said she would take it, but never did. Same with others. By the way, have you ever watched Penn and Teller's Bull@$#%? ESP and talking to the dead have been covered on numerous episodes.

Yep! Seen it all. Also read Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer. He pretty much exploits the psychics for what they are although he feels that many of them think they truly do have some sort of "paranormal" connection and aren't out to blatantly rip people off.

[Haaziq]

Originally Posted by GCSTroop

Yep! Seen it all. Also read Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer. He pretty much exploits the psychics for what they are although he feels that many of them think they truly do have some sort of "paranormal" connection and aren't out to blatantly rip people off.

Within a few minutes, with my knowledge in psychology and magic, I could convince you I'm a psychic, lol. It isn't hard at all. I remember this episode of Criss Angel: Mindfreak that talked about scams that are made using the trickery magicians and illusionists use. He took a deck of tarot cards and opened up a stand. What people didn't know is that the top card had nothing but a piece of paper from a horoscope. He read the same horoscope to every customer, and they all said he was 100% accurate in describing them. All the horoscope did was describe the way most humans act. Happy at some times. Sad at other times. Finding many people hard to trust. Human things, not individual things.

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by Haaziq

Within a few minutes, with my knowledge in psychology and magic, I could convince you I'm a psychic, lol. It isn't hard at all. I remember this episode of Criss Angel: Mindfreak that talked about scams that are made using the trickery magicians and illusionists use. He took a deck of tarot cards and opened up a stand. What people didn't know is that the top card had nothing but a piece of paper from a horoscope. He read the same horoscope to every customer, and they all said he was 100% accurate in describing them. All the horoscope did was describe the way most humans act. Happy at some times. Sad at other times. Finding many people hard to trust. Human things, not individual things.

Haha! Yeah I saw that show too! It was pretty funny seeing the people's reactions at the end when they realized they'd been scammed.

[Haaziq]

Originally Posted by GCSTroop

Haha! Yeah I saw that show too! It was pretty funny seeing the people's reactions at the end when they realized they'd been scammed.

You wouldn't happen to be a magic fan like me, would you?

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by Haaziq

You wouldn't happen to be a magic fan like me, would you?

I appreciate a good trick just like anyone. I do enjoy the more "unorthodox" magicians like David Blaine and Kriss Angel because they offer something a little different than your typical "saw the woman in half" routine. But, I couldn't tell you the first thing about how to perform a magic trick.

[Haaziq]

Originally Posted by GCSTroop

I appreciate a good trick just like anyone. I do enjoy the more "unorthodox" magicians like David Blaine and Kriss Angel because they offer something a little different than your typical "saw the woman in half" routine. But, I couldn't tell you the first thing about how to perform a magic trick.

I can't stand David Blaine, lol. All he does is recycle tricks that magicians did centuries ago before they had complex things like sawing women in half. Back then, they did them on stage. He just brings them to the streets. I like Criss Angel though.

The thing is, the magic industry is like the music industry. The people who are appealing to the people instead of focusing more on being the best at what they do get all the fame. Anything that gets commercialized will get watered down without a doubt. 90% of the magic, rock & roll, hip-hop, etc, you see on TV these days can't compare to the people doing the same things underground, but choose talent over looks, compromising their integrity, etc. People like Criss Angel and David Blaine use tricks that have simple methods almost all of the time. Some of the less popular magicians (Jay Sankey, Penn & Teller, etc) usually are more creative with their methods and could make up tricks that many can not solve. I could watch pretty much any trick done by Blaine or Angel and tell you how it's done, but I've seen stuff from people like Jay Sankey that gave me headaches trying to figure out how they did it. I don't dislike Angel though. I just don't see him ever being able to compete with some of the more talented magicians. He is more showmanship than anything.

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by Haaziq

I can't stand David Blaine, lol. All he does is recycle tricks that magicians did centuries ago before they had complex things like sawing women in half. Back then, they did them on stage. He just brings them to the streets. I like Criss Angel though.

The thing is, the magic industry is like the music industry. The people who are appealing to the people instead of focusing more on being the best at what they do get all the fame. Anything that gets commercialized will get watered down without a doubt. 90% of the magic, rock & roll, hip-hop, etc, you see on TV these days can't compare to the people doing the same things underground, but choose talent over looks, compromising their integrity, etc. People like Criss Angel and David Blaine use tricks that have simple methods almost all of the time. Some of the less popular magicians (Jay Sankey, Penn & Teller, etc) usually are more creative with their methods and could make up tricks that many can not solve. I could watch pretty much any trick done by Blaine or Angel and tell you how it's done, but I've seen stuff from people like Jay Sankey that gave me headaches trying to figure out how they did it. I don't dislike Angel though. I just don't see him ever being able to compete with some of the more talented magicians. He is more showmanship than anything.

Ahhh but to me the showmanship is part of the all around "feel" and "fun" of magic. I do like Penn & Teller as well. To me, the best magicians are also fantastic actors and that usually means not only performing good tricks but also "selling" them with your acting. I think David Blaine as well as Kriss Angel are better actors than magicians yet they are very capable of selling their tricks to anyone on the street and that's what impresses me. It's not easy to walk up to someone on the street and just "Wow" them and capture their attention. There's something to be said for that, in my opinion. Stage shows always seem so much less impromptu. I guess that's just my opinion. Ok, now that this subject has gone WAY off topic I apologize.

[b. frank]

Originally Posted by findinghope

i love those shows! and i really believe that the police depts do utilize psychics. i think they try to solve the case themselves and if they get stumped ask for help from a psychic they may have "on staff".

No way. Most police hate psychics as do most forensic investigators.
Are psychics used? Absolutely. They do occasionally help.
But almost always they are hired by a missing or dead persons' family.
Police might elect to use them in high profile cases that cannot end but that they have no leads on.

[moonsavvy]

June and Montana,

You two are adorable, I can't think of any other word. Thanks for letting us read your sweet words towards one another. Too cute! And might I add inspirational. Love has a wonderful vibration and I'm feel'n the love you two have. Thanks!

PS I think psychic ability is a gift that we all have, some of us are tuned in and some of us are tuned out.

[june 7th]

Originally Posted by moonsavvy

June and Montana,



You two are adorable,

<--- Smile of adorable endearment.