Psychic License

[Haunted]

On reading the latest JREF commentary about the witches of Salem, a good idea came out of it by one of the "witches" themselves... licensing people to become "psychics." I think this idea is not just good, but brilliant... before someone can legally charge another with "psychic" advice, they should have to prove their ability before a qualified licensing committee and be granted a license. If you have to have a license to catch a fish... requiring a license for charging people for "psychic" advice should be a no brainer.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

James Randi has been arguing for psychic licensing for years. I'm sorry but you're not the first to suggest that.

I'd be for it but look how well it works in Salem! :mad:

[-Fran-]

Could work.

If they would only have to fulfil one rule to get a license: Be for real!

No one would ever get a license... That would be good :)

[Brattus]

Here's the sad part. Lets say the government passed a federal law.
That law made it illegal for any "psychic" to charge money for any kind of reading unless they could prove their psychic ability with a double blind test.
Their would be a line of the foolish and gullible sneaking in their back doors to pay for their glimpse of the future.
"Psychics" would still be contacting the desperate people with missing loved ones "to help" for free. Free media to get their names out there.
Nothing would change. It would probably make things worse because the foolish gullible people who really get ripped off would never report it for fear of being charged with a crime.

[Zep]

They would simply call them something else besides "psychics". Maybe "seers" or "soothsayers". Anything to circumvent the laws, because it would be so easy.

The real issue is to get the masses to realise and understand that "psychic" thinking is merely a pile of possum poo designed specifically and only to separate the fool from his money.

Accordingly, the solution lies along the lines of "customer advocacy". I suggest they make it a law that psychics who fail to deliver accuracy and repeatable results within a set timeframe be forced to pay back double their consulting fee! In America The Litigious, there will be legions of them in court so fast, and huge payouts made, that no-one will want to take up the profession, even if they DID think they were any good!

[vexed]

On reading the latest JREF commentary about the witches of Salem, a good idea came out of it by one of the "witches" themselves... licensing people to become "psychics." I think this idea is not just good, but brilliant... before someone can legally charge another with "psychic" advice, they should have to prove their ability before a qualified licensing committee and be granted a license. If you have to have a license to catch a fish... requiring a license for charging people for "psychic" advice should be a no brainer.

This was mentioned on the 'Skeptics Guide to the Universe' (I forget the episode #). However, if I recall correctly, it was more to keep out 'psychics' who were traveling to Salem to take advantage of the area. So it was more that local 'psychics' wanted the clients for themselves. I also believe they mentioned one local 'psychic' receiving their liscense by giving a cop a 'satisfactory reading'.

[Rasmus55]

This was mentioned on the 'Skeptics Guide to the Universe' (I forget the episode #). However, if I recall correctly, it was more to keep out 'psychics' who were traveling to Salem to take advantage of the area. So it was more that local 'psychics' wanted the clients for themselves. I also believe they mentioned one local 'psychic' receiving their liscense by giving a cop a 'satisfactory reading'.

Hmmm, I wonder if his reading resulted in a happy ending? :jaw-dropp

[JonWhite]

...by giving a cop a 'satisfactory reading'.

Perhaps giving a cop a "satisfactory reading" is a euphemism...

:D

[grayman]

Psychic: "I'm here to get my license."

License Agent: "Can you prove you're a psychic?"

Psychic: "I knew you were going to ask that."

License Agent: "Wow! I guess you're real. Here's your license."