Sylvia's apprearances

[psy kick]

The infamous Sylvia is coming to my hometown for a "show". Are there any Clevelander skeptics who would join me in writing to protest this "crap"?

[Hastur]

Hiya. :)

[Dr. Imago]

Why don't you go, embed yourself in the audience, get called on, and start letting her misread a bunch of stuff about you. Call a local TV reporter before you go and notify him/her about what you are going to do. They can even have you on camera and interview you about your intent. Then, afterwards, you can completely blow away everything that she says.

In this way, you can have sort of your own little expose on Sylvia Brown and her b.s. Of course, her people may be reading this (and probably are). So, she would be (and probably always is) on guard for such tactics. Still, I think you could make a big splash if you completely blow her out of the water.

Or, how about you somehow get a list of people who are contacted by Sylvia during the show. Have the same reporter follow-up later and figure out which things came true. Inevitably, Sylvia is going to make a lot of spurious medical diagnoses and say things about the dearly departed which, quite simply, will not be true. This should be a great piece for a local news report, especially since people seem to be so tuned into this crap with shows like John Edward and "Medium" being so popular.

Love to see this woman get her come-uppance.

-TT

[psy kick]

Hiya!
I meant write and complain. Going and proving her a guesser isn't "news", they wouldn't even air that.

[CFLarsen]

If you do choose to "out" her in public, be prepared to be attacked by her many followers. You will get a lot of stares and harsh words thrown at you.

And if that is the only thing happening, count yourself lucky. Believers do not take it lightly, when their beliefs are shown false.

[Zep]

Standard method for wrongfooting people like psychics (and street-accosters like Scientologists and such) is to turn the conversation around immediately so YOU are doing the all questioning and THEY are only doing the answering. NEVER answer any of their questions or provide information even indirectly. ALWAYS ask the questions yourself and keep to the subject.

"Can you give me more details about that?"

"What happened then?"

"What happened next?"

"When did that happen?"

"Where did that happen?"

"What was his/her name?"

"What did they say to me?"

"Are you sure of that?"

Etc.

Bet you won't make it past the first 20 seconds before she starts looking elsewhere for a more pliable patsy!

[Kimpatsu]

How about just demadnding why she refused to accept Randi's notarised letter? That alone is newsworthy, I would have thought...?

[psy kick]

I am going to write a letter of complaint to the place thats hosting her. Or ...I could dress up as a zombie and walk around outside in zombie motion with a sign saying Guess my first initial!
heh

[CFLarsen]

Make some flyers. Use a nice, readable font.

Here are some suggestions:

================================

SYLVIA BROWNE

The Randi Challenge

On "Larry King Live", Sylvia Browne accepted to be tested by investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, James Randi.

THAT WAS (insert real number here) DAYS AGO!

Sylvia Browne has lied about James Randi not trying to contact her.
HE HAS.

Sylvia Browne has lied about her trying to contact James Randi.
SHE HASN'T.

ASK SYLVIA BROWNE ABOUT THIS!

================================

SYLVIA BROWNE

has claimed that:

- Holocaust victims are to blame for their own destiny.
- Nobody suffered during the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.
- Space rockets are driven by propellers (they aren't).
- Aliens used anti-gravity devices to build the pyramids.

ASK SYLVIA BROWNE ABOUT THIS!

================================

SYLVIA BROWNE

has predicted that:

- Bill Bradley would become President in 2000 (he didn't).
- David Letterman would call it quits from his nightly late show after 2000 (he didn't).
- Breast cancer was going to be absolutely preventable and cured by the end of 1999 (it hasn't).
- The Catholic Church will have only one more Pope after John Paul II - but also that there would no longer be a single Pope, but a triumvirate of Popes, each assigned to a geographic collection of Catholics.

ASK SYLVIA BROWNE ABOUT THIS!

================================

SYLVIA BROWNE

Although Sylvia Browne does specific medical diagnoses for clients, she is not qualified to do so. She has no medical background.

- Sylvia Browne claims that bilirubin is a liver enzyme.
It isn't. It is a degradation product of human hemoglobin.

- Sylvia Browne confuses hemorrhages with clots.
They are the exact opposites.

- Sylvia Browne has suggested a test be made for Epstein-Barr disease related to the examination of fecal matter.
No such test exists.

ASK SYLVIA BROWNE ABOUT THIS!

================================

SYLVIA BROWNE

A 30-minute phone session with Sylvia Browne will cost you $750.

Sylvia Browne will read you material from a prepared spiel.

Compare these two readings:
------------------------------------
SYLVIA BROWNE: And, see, you're not getting any oil in your system... You know, you say, why am I creakin' around here? Yeah... Snap and pop and, yeah, but see, there's no oil... I don't want you, for a while, anyway, not to eat any dairy and stay off your carbonation and caffeine... 'cause your stomach is just getting too acidy.
------------------------------------
SYLVIA BROWNE: See, you're really not getting that much oil in your system. Yeah, and who walks around, you know, drinking oil all the time? Yeah, but I would cut down on your dairy products for awhile. You know, 'cause it's going to make you too acidy. And then, I would also up your protein because you're getting a little depressed and tired, and that's your blood sugar. So, I'd really start trying to eat more chicken, more fish, anything that's got protein.
------------------------------------

ASK SYLVIA BROWNE ABOUT THIS!

================================

[Hastur]

Nice, Claus! Now if I could spread that around my law school . . .

[Vikram]

Great idea, Claus.


psy kick,

If you decide to hand out those flyers, make sure you have an unflappably pleasant demeanor when you do so. Comment on how cute the attendees' children are. The flyers would make their greatest impact if handed out by a friendly face.

Basically, that's part of why people believe in Brown - because they perceive her to be sweet and compassionate. Why not use her own tools against her?

(edited for typo)

[BillyJoe]

Yeah, be a Shermer instead of a Randi (hey, don't get me wrong, I love the guy).

[psy kick]

Heck, Randi is sweet and compassionate! (not that I would know personally...)

[SezMe]

If you do plan to hand out flyers, find out ahead of time where the public property line is and stay on the public side. Otherwise your hassling career might be cut way short.

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by psy kick
Heck, Randi is sweet and compassionate! (not that I would know personally...)

He is, actually. (And I know personally) :)

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
He is, actually. (And I know personally) :)
Err... Just how personally?! :p :D

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
Err... Just how personally?! :p :D

I've met him at all the TAMs and had several very nice talks with him.

Smart guy, too.

[psy kick]

Is he...available?;)

[psy kick]

Originally posted by Vikram
Great idea, Claus.


psy kick,

If you decide to hand out those flyers, make sure you have an unflappably pleasant demeanor when you do so.
I'm familiar with that, I once handed out Nader flyers in front of the football stadium(some of the weirdest commnts I got).

Ah! On looking more carfully at the op title, I see I made a typo, a very appropriate one at that!

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by psy kick
Is he...available?;)

Yes, he is available for lectures.