| Author | Message | ||
     Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I went to see the Medium John Edward at the Apollo last night (in my St John Ambulance capacity - I'm not likely to pay the £50 for a ticket to one of these events). I was kind of hoping that I might see something to diffuse my scepticism on the subject. Instead it increased my scepicism to the point of cynicism instead. He seemed to me to be nothing more than a charming con-man. He spoke in generalities and let the poor desperarte people in the audience fill in the specific details. One of my fellow first aid people was a staunch believer and she was amazed every time he said to someone "Is the tenth of a month, or maybe October itself an important for you?" and the sap he was talking to said "yes". I have important dates in at least 8 of the 12 months of the year even though I don't come from a huge family so with me that question would have a 75% plus chance of a hit. Also the number of Johns or James's he was channelling was amazing. The one time he went for an uncommon name yielded zero hits. "I'm getting an M name, Mark or Martin..." he says, pointing at a section of the crowd with over 500 people in. What do you suppose the chances are that in those 500 people, someone will know a Mark or Martin who's passed over? If it turned out that the person he was speaking to knew a John or james or mark or Martin but that person was still with us, it was amazing how quickly the message became a message TO the John/James/Mark/Martin instead of a message FROM. All in all I was extremely less than impressed. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.26.90.161 |
You should have exercised your own subterfuge and strung him along. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 82.38.75.85 |
I've never been to one of those shows - never really wanted to - but I firmly believe it's all a con, as you say, Weber. Having said that, I have to admit (and you'll probably laugh at me) to an open mind on the subject of "the beyond" and "things we don't understand". I have experienced first hand two situations where I believe I "felt" a ghost (never seen one though). In one case there's a possible explanation as I knew the place was reported to be haunted beforehand, but in the other case I had no such prior knowledge and was taken completely unawares. My husband has had a couple of "telepathic-style" experiences with his sister (still living) which I believe him about too. So, my mind's open on the subject. I reckon there are things we don't understand going on out there in the ether somewhere. But as for doing stage shows about them, well that's just a load of c**p as far as I'm concerned. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.2.169 |
I thought I read a part of their success can usually be attributed to audience members who don't want the medium to look bad, so they'll often be led along, play along, so he'll succeed... it's a bit of pity seeping through... I wonder, then, if a total asshole rude psychic would have as much success with an audience - an experiment someone should try.... | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.72.14.113 |
I can't believe you needed to see the bloke in person to realise this Weber!! For smug, smarmy, insincere, con artist the dictionary definition needs only "see John Edward". And I speak as someone who sincerely believes in some form of non-physical (as we define it) form of intelligent life and some currently unquantifiable manner of mind-to-mind communication - if only due to personal experience. | ||
| Jonathan (Jonathan) Username: Jonathan Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.143.178.131 |
I think for a rubbish psychic you can't beat the Phoenix Night's episode featuring Clinton Baptiste. That is just superb. Also, I seem to remember there was a character on Alan Patridge called Tony La Mesma who was ace. On the whole the 'real' psychics are nasty nasty parasites. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.9.159 |
I had a dream earlier in the week that Woody Allen died. The numbers "18, 18" flashed at me before I woke up. Is that September 18?... Is 9 twice (9/18/09) 18-18?... I sure hope he don't kick the can today, but if he does... you're all my witnesses that I'm psychic.... | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I'd never seen anything to do with John Edward before. It's only coz I could get in for nothing that I went. I do believe there is something after death and that telepathic communication is possible - my mother swears blind that on the nights before the last 3 family deaths she's dreamt that her Dad (dead 20 years) met her at the graveyard gates where he's buried and they talked about the soon to be deceased. When I was very young, me and my twin both had surgery on our eyes. While I was in the surgery my brother screamed and clawed at his eyes. When he went in I woke up screaming and tearing at my bandages. There are several times when I could swear I've read my brother's mind. However I've always had a healthy scepticism about this type of show. Like I said I went in with a fairly open mind, I just couldn't believe how transparent his efforts were. For someone charging so much for a ticket I expected a lot more convincing a show. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I hate Phoenix Nights. It's the most tedious and unfunny excuse for a comedy programme ever. John Edward was more entertaining. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
Craig - or if he's killed by someone with the initials AH... | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.4.18.104 |
That's great you have a twin Weber. Just don't tell me his name is Craig... I wouldn't know which was the evil one!  But seriously I can't see what people find so far-fetched about the idea of telepathy. There was a time radio - not to mention TV - would have been thought of as black magic but both prove the feasibility of currently undetectable waves causing effect at a distance. We just need to quantify the energy involved and learn how to harness and control it. Research into apparent non-physical communication between twins is the obvious starting point... scientists take note! | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.144 |
I was researching for a novella (I never wrote it on the grounds it was a shit idea) on mediums years ago. I discovered that the purported 'genuine' ones, are listed in a special directory by one of the more serious paranormal societies in Britain. It went on to describe that of those listed, all but two refused to give public readings,and shunned any kind of presentation or public performance. The mediums were described as people who found inter-action with people painful on account of their 'gifts'. I was researching this while working in a restaurant on Lark Lane in Sefton Park, Liverpool (Ramsey knows the area quite well). And lo and behold, the directory listed a house at the end of the street as some sort of private refuge for women who had had paranormal experiences, or who exhibited paranormal abilities!!! I went to look at the house, but there was a huge wall round it, topped off with glass and barbed wire. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.144 |
Weber - This John Edward, was he able to contact what remains of your film tastes  | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I've only disagreed with you on one film... | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
What about these well documented stories of twins split up and adopted at birth who didn't know they were twins yet when they traced their roots as adults discovered they had led virtually parallel lives even down to marrying people with the same name, having the same no. of children and giving them the same names, etc. This happening once in the history of the human race would be an astounding enough coincidence but over and over again... | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.80 |
Weber - oh, come on, mate. I'm only kidding. I thought you were tougher than that. I thought you of all people could handle a harmless dig in the ribs. Apologies, mate. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
No need to apologise. I'll just think you're a ****ing ******** ****** from now on. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 82.38.75.85 |
Now then, you two - I want to see you kiss and make up. Come on, just put your arms round each other and give t'other one a big hug. No, there's no need for tongues - just a hug will do.  (sorry, Weber and Frank, I just couldn't resist!) | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Thing is Caroline, man is an ancient race. Some people twouldn't bother havin' some son of a bitch bad mouthin' 'im to all 'n' sundry but guys like Weber 'n' Frank need to sort this out tween themselves... Whichever one comes thru that door after don't treat 'im no d'frent nor spect 'im to 'ang around much after. Just look 'im in the eye 'n' wish him well on 'is way. What in God's name is happening to me!!!! | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 82.38.75.85 |
Nah, Stephen, I just wanted to see them both having a good snog! (I dunno what's happening to you, but I've been behaving a bit strange since I've been on this board too)  | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
I think it's a combination of seeing 'Once Upon A Time In The West' in the cinema last night while also reading 'The Maltese Falcon' at the same time. A guy can only hold so much testosterone before somethin's gotta give!! Not complaining mind... | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.99 |
Weber - hope you're joking, mate. I wouldn't want to lose what little respect I have for you See, just joking. Caroline/Stephen - I am only joking. Honestly (: | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 82.38.75.85 |
I know you are, Frank - so was I!  | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.81 |
Caroline - I know you were. Just emphasizing if for Grumpy Arse. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
Craig wasn't involved in this... | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.1.140 |
Whoops - sorry - I meant to enter that last post under the "Craig" name. Let me try that again: Craig wasn't involved in this... |