Methods Used For Fraudulent Mental Mediumship

[jambo372]

Apart from hot reading (finding out information prior to reading via gossip,birth certificates etc), cold reading (asking client questions and returning the answers they give as your own, body language analysis and educated guessing) and lukewarm reading (hot and cold reading used in conjunction), does anyone know of any other methods used in fraudulent mental mediumship ?

If so explain them.

[Dogwood]

See this site for details. link (http://www.randi.org)

[T'ai Chi]

LOL.

Does anyone know any methods used in real mediumship? I can't seem to find any information on it..

[jambo372]

I couldn't find anything on it.

jzs
Real mediumship - a psychic link to the spirit planes.

[Dogwood]

Originally posted by jambo372
I couldn't find anything on it.


Actually, I think the three reading techniques you described would cover just about every conceivable method under the sun.

Apart from "cheating before the reading" and "cheating during the reading" what else is there? Cheating after the reading I suppose, for those customers who like to give their psychics a little extra time to think things over.

[The Mighty Thor]

There are many good books on the subject of Mentalism as used by stage Mentalists like Kreskin. But you'd have to buy them, or get them from a library. That's the way it usually works in the magic community. We respect those who come up with ingenious ideas, and if they are ready to share, we pay them to find out the secret.

So, I doubt anyone here will share any such secrets -- indeed, the revelation of methods is not allowed here. This is because there are many people who earn an honest living from Mentalism. These people usually do not pretend to have psychic powers.

Remember that not that long ago a young person would have to serve an Apprenticeship of five years at very low wages in order to learn the "craft" of being a welder or coppersmith. In ancient times, metalworking skills were regarded as "magical", and had all sorts of rules and superstitions attached. Why? To protect their trade! Hence the phrase "Trade Secrets".

[The Mighty Thor]

A good place to start for Mentalism (not fraudulent mediumship) --

http://www.trickshop.com/main.html

[TheBoyPaj]

I think those tricks cover the actual information gathering, but as for further convincing the audience that you are real then I think, it would be worth using:

set design (to generate an atmosphere in which they expect weird things to happen)
acting (to appear flustered, or under the influence of the spirit)
script writing (to provide suggestion & patter)
props (especially if you want to feature physical manifestation)
stooges (in audience to act as happy punters, and hidden stage hands to operate props)

[Azrael 5]

A nice analysis of fraudlent mediumship here Read and learn Jambo (http://www.ianrowland.com/TheVault/JohnEdward1.html) ;)

[jambo372]

Other than cold reading (and hot reading) ?

[geni]

It's not used by the mediums but it is something they rely on. People who want to belive will interpret what the medium says so it applies to them.

[TheBoyPaj]

What are you getting at, Jambo? If you've got hot reading (knowing the answers) and cold reading (guessing the answers or getting them from the sitter) why do you need anything else?

It's like asking "How can you get to Scotland without walking, cycling, driving, getting the train, flying..."

[DangerousBeliefs]

Here's one method - Peter Popoff (http://www.bible.ca/tongues-popoff-39-17Mhz.htm)


Pete survived this trickery and is still practicing voodoo today!

http://www.peterpopoff.org/

[Mark A. Siefert]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DangerousBeliefs
[B]Here's one method - Peter Popoff (http://www.bible.ca/tongues-popoff-39-17Mhz.htm)

Ironically enough, the first site you link to appears to be a fundie site. I guess someone can't take the competition.

[jambo372]

In that case the ones I've been to must be genuine.

[WildCat]

Originally posted by jambo372
In that case the ones I've been to must be genuine.
Yep, sure. Whatever you say. No doubt, they just don't feel like winning Randi's million $. Too busy helping police solve cold cases, I imagine. :rolleyes:

[The Mighty Thor]

Originally posted by jambo372
In that case the ones I've been to must be genuine.

Why?

[DangerousBeliefs]

Originally posted by jambo372
In that case the ones I've been to must be genuine.

Five minus seven equals twelve!

[Azrael 5]

Originally posted by jambo372
In that case the ones I've been to must be genuine.
Although he has absolutely no evidence of any kind whatsoever,none,not one iota,zip,zilch ad infinitum.......

Sorry just remembered he has "personal proof".Yep,that old chestnut! ;)

[Physiotherapist]

How about this link. www.psychicbarber.com

'Gordon Smith's unique gifts as a medium, or messenger from the spirit world, have led him to become known as the UK's most accurate medium'.

[Chateaubriand]

Here are two transcripts from seances with certified frauds. It's easy to recognize the different techniques. Check them out.

Terry Evans transcript (http://www.jonscelebworld.com/BadPsychics/Editorials/Misc/TerryEvansTranscript.html)

Colin Fry transcript (http://www.jonscelebworld.com/BadPsychics/Editorials/Misc/ColinFryTranscript.html)

Best regards,
Chateaubriand

[Azrael 5]

Originally posted by Physiotherapist
How about this link. www.psychicbarber.com

'Gordon Smith's unique gifts as a medium, or messenger from the spirit world, have led him to become known as the UK's most accurate medium'.
Seen him,debunked him..next! :D

[Ashles]

In that case the ones I've been to must be genuine.
Oh right. You've already ruled out hot and cold readings because... well you just have?

I forget - why do those mediums hate children so much? Why won't they use the million dollars to help those in need?


Jambo, counter question:

Why do objects fall to the floor (other than gravity which I've aready ruled out)?

[Moose]

Originally posted by Dogwood
Actually, I think the three reading techniques you described would cover just about every conceivable method under the sun.

Apart from "cheating before the reading" and "cheating during the reading" what else is there? Cheating after the reading I suppose, for those customers who like to give their psychics a little extra time to think things over.

Actually yes. "Cheating after the reading" would be failing miserably, but claiming you've succeeded loudly and often enough that the terminally naive start chanting along. Gathering a retenue of apologists to make these claims also counts.

See also: "The Big Lie" technique.

This particular forum seems to be a hotbed of this technique. Curious that the same two or three names keep showing up too.

[Blondin]

http://www.pclips.com/storage/gardeners_lg.png

[Blondin]

Oops, sorry. I meant to link to this one...
http://www.pclips.com/storage/birdcage_lg.png

[jambo372]

No - not because I just have.
It was plain to see they weren't cold reading and it would have been impossible for them to hot read as I've mentioned previously.

[TheBoyPaj]

I just love our little chats.

[apoger]

It was plain to see they weren't cold reading...


If it weren't for credulity, where would we skeptics be?
You tell'em Jambo. Nobody can fool you! ;)