"Physical medium" David Thompson

RonC · 17th December 2010, 12:46 PM

Hi all. New guy here.

My questions simply are:

Has anyone had experience with the Australian medium David Thompson?
Has anyone actually attended one of his performances/seances?

Finally, and most importantly -

Has anyone tried to politely accept the challenge to test him scientifically?
If so, how did it go? Were you allowed to test him? What was the outcome?

I'm aware of most of the criticisms raised against him and other mediums,
but I'm looking to see if anyone has actually *tried* to have him tested.

Thank you.

wardenclyffe · 17th December 2010, 02:23 PM

You are talking about this guy?: http://www.silvercordcircle.com/Silv..._Thompson.html

and

http://adcguides.com/davidthompson1.htm

He offers some sort of challenge?

I don't know who the Camilla Perrson person is in that second link.

I had never heard of him and I've only just glanced at those websites, but I wanted to put them up because you are too new to post URLs in this forum. If there are other sites that are better, please let me know.

Ward

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

Robert Oz · 17th December 2010, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by RonC

Has anyone had experience with the Australian medium David Thompson?
Has anyone actually attended one of his performances/seances?

<snip>

Has anyone tried to politely accept the challenge to test him scientifically?
If so, how did it go? Were you allowed to test him? What was the outcome?

If one's intention was to scientifically test a self-proclaimed medium, the absolutely last thing one would want to do would be to do it by the medium's rules.

Attending a seance and not being able to deduce how a particular trick is being done is not proof or even evidence of the medium's authenticity. It works the other way around. The medium must face properly controlled tests where all forms of possible cheating are illiminated.

I don't seek to prove that David Copperfield is an ordinary (albeit very talented and clever) man by sitting in his audience and trying to spot wires. I put David Copperfield in an empty room in nothing but his underwear and ask him to fly about a little bit.

If David Thompson truly wants to be tested, he knows where the JREF is. The million dollars is still waiting for the real deal.

Fnord · 17th December 2010, 03:29 PM

Other things that are not proof of a psychic's alleged authenticity:

- Interest in the psychic's claims, life or work.
- Testing the psychic's claims.
- Belief in the psychic's alleged authenticity.
- Publicity about the psychic.
- Being mentioned on a skeptic website (like this one).
- Endorsements by other psychics.
- Celebrity endorsements.
- Endorsements of any kind.
- Acquittal of criminal wrongdoing.
- Coincidental 'hits' on his or her predictions.
- Criticism by skeptics (i.e., the Galileo Fallacy).
- The wealth of the psychic.
- The psychic's appearances in the popular media.
- Testimonials of the psychic's 'miracles'.

Yeah, I know; most folks know this already.

ExMinister · 17th December 2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Robert Oz

If one's intention was to scientifically test a self-proclaimed medium, the absolutely last thing one would want to do would be to do it by the medium's rules.

Attending a seance and not being able to deduce how a particular trick is being done is not proof or even evidence of the medium's authenticity. It works the other way around. The medium must face properly controlled tests where all forms of possible cheating are illiminated.

I don't seek to prove that David Copperfield is an ordinary (albeit very talented and clever) man by sitting in his audience and trying to spot wires. I put David Copperfield in an empty room in nothing but his underwear and ask him to fly about a little bit.

If David Thompson truly wants to be tested, he knows where the JREF is. The million dollars is still waiting for the real deal.

Nicely said.

ExMinister · 17th December 2010, 05:31 PM

In another thread here recently someone suggested night vision goggles in Thompson's seance room might be revealing, and then it was pointed out that Thompson does a full body search of his sitters before they are allowed in, with all such things being unwelcome.

Now, color me skeptical but why wouldn't you happily welcome night vision goggles into your seance room? If there's no funny business going on, why would you even care?

shandyjan · 18th December 2010, 11:17 AM

Colin Fry springs to mind, blowing his own trumpet

Soapy Sam · 21st December 2010, 12:08 AM

It's very easy to claim that one is open to challenge, while in fact restricting any serious attempt.
As others have said, the JREF million is there. If this fellow wanted to try for it, he would have.

The fact he has not speaks volumes.

It's astonishing, how many self-proclaimed psychics say they either don't believe JREF has the money, or that they don't want the money....while actually performing for money.
Mediums and psychics are either entertainers or con artists. There is no third kind.

George152 · 21st December 2010, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by wardenclyffe

You are talking about this guy?: http://www.silvercordcircle.com/Silv..._Thompson.html

and

http://adcguides.com/davidthompson1.htm

He offers some sort of challenge?

I don't know who the Camilla Perrson person is in that second link.

I had never heard of him and I've only just glanced at those websites, but I wanted to put them up because you are too new to post URLs in this forum. If there are other sites that are better, please let me know.

Ward

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

He's not a medium. He's a thick !

kittynh · 21st December 2010, 01:43 PM

Ask the Australian Skeptics! They have an incredible group! Richard Saunders is a wonderful person, really nice and certainly would be willing to test this person.

I say, contact him!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Saunders_(skeptic)

Natasha Carroll · 20th March 2011, 04:18 AM

David Thompson is a fake. There is nothing about his seance that is believable. The people that think he is legit are gullible.

Bikewer · 20th March 2011, 05:36 AM

Everything that has been described in regards to this individual's "seances" are exactly the same sort of schtick that Spiritualist mediums were doing back in the 1930s when Houdini had such great fun exposing them for the frauds they were.
He even had to resort to disguises in order to get in....

17th December 2010, 12:46 PM	#1
RonC New Blood Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1	"Physical medium" David Thompson Hi all. New guy here. My questions simply are: Has anyone had experience with the Australian medium David Thompson? Has anyone actually attended one of his performances/seances? Finally, and most importantly - Has anyone tried to politely accept the challenge to test him scientifically? If so, how did it go? Were you allowed to test him? What was the outcome? I'm aware of most of the criticisms raised against him and other mediums, but I'm looking to see if anyone has actually tried to have him tested. Thank you.
RonC New Blood Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1

17th December 2010, 02:23 PM	#2
wardenclyffe Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,485	You are talking about this guy?: http://www.silvercordcircle.com/Silv..._Thompson.html and http://adcguides.com/davidthompson1.htm He offers some sort of challenge? I don't know who the Camilla Perrson person is in that second link. I had never heard of him and I've only just glanced at those websites, but I wanted to put them up because you are too new to post URLs in this forum. If there are other sites that are better, please let me know. Ward P.S. Welcome to the forum.
	__________________ ~~Na eth'er aa, ammre' en ank'aar'eith, d'emner'aa-, asd'reng'aather, em'n'err-aae...~ - Alenara Al'Kher'aat, aged 347

17th December 2010, 02:56 PM	#3
Robert Oz Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,435	Originally Posted by RonC Has anyone had experience with the Australian medium David Thompson? Has anyone actually attended one of his performances/seances? <snip> Has anyone tried to politely accept the challenge to test him scientifically? If so, how did it go? Were you allowed to test him? What was the outcome? If one's intention was to scientifically test a self-proclaimed medium, the absolutely last thing one would want to do would be to do it by the medium's rules. Attending a seance and not being able to deduce how a particular trick is being done is not proof or even evidence of the medium's authenticity. It works the other way around. The medium must face properly controlled tests where all forms of possible cheating are illiminated. I don't seek to prove that David Copperfield is an ordinary (albeit very talented and clever) man by sitting in his audience and trying to spot wires. I put David Copperfield in an empty room in nothing but his underwear and ask him to fly about a little bit. If David Thompson truly wants to be tested, he knows where the JREF is. The million dollars is still waiting for the real deal.
	Last edited by Robert Oz; 17th December 2010 at 02:58 PM.

17th December 2010, 03:29 PM	#4
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	Other things that are not proof of a psychic's alleged authenticity: - Interest in the psychic's claims, life or work. - Testing the psychic's claims. - Belief in the psychic's alleged authenticity. - Publicity about the psychic. - Being mentioned on a skeptic website (like this one). - Endorsements by other psychics. - Celebrity endorsements. - Endorsements of any kind. - Acquittal of criminal wrongdoing. - Coincidental 'hits' on his or her predictions. - Criticism by skeptics (i.e., the Galileo Fallacy). - The wealth of the psychic. - The psychic's appearances in the popular media. - Testimonials of the psychic's 'miracles'. Yeah, I know; most folks know this already.
	__________________ Belief is the subjective acceptance of a (valid or invalid) concept, opinion, or theory; Faith is the unreasoned belief in improvable things; *and Knowledge* is the reasoned belief in provable things. Belief itself proves nothing.**

17th December 2010, 05:04 PM	#5
ExMinister RSL Acolyte Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,749	Originally Posted by Robert Oz If one's intention was to scientifically test a self-proclaimed medium, the absolutely last thing one would want to do would be to do it by the medium's rules. Attending a seance and not being able to deduce how a particular trick is being done is not proof or even evidence of the medium's authenticity. It works the other way around. The medium must face properly controlled tests where all forms of possible cheating are illiminated. I don't seek to prove that David Copperfield is an ordinary (albeit very talented and clever) man by sitting in his audience and trying to spot wires. I put David Copperfield in an empty room in nothing but his underwear and ask him to fly about a little bit. If David Thompson truly wants to be tested, he knows where the JREF is. The million dollars is still waiting for the real deal. Nicely said.
ExMinister RSL Acolyte Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,749	__________________ www.stopsylvia.com

17th December 2010, 05:31 PM	#6
ExMinister RSL Acolyte Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,749	In another thread here recently someone suggested night vision goggles in Thompson's seance room might be revealing, and then it was pointed out that Thompson does a full body search of his sitters before they are allowed in, with all such things being unwelcome. Now, color me skeptical but why wouldn't you happily welcome night vision goggles into your seance room? If there's no funny business going on, why would you even care?
ExMinister RSL Acolyte Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,749	__________________ www.stopsylvia.com

18th December 2010, 11:17 AM	#7
shandyjan Master Poster Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N/W England Posts: 2,111	Colin Fry springs to mind, blowing his own trumpet
	__________________ Belief is the wound that knowledge heals. Ursula K. LeGuin's A dog is for life, not just for xmas!

21st December 2010, 12:08 AM	#8
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	It's very easy to claim that one is open to challenge, while in fact restricting any serious attempt. As others have said, the JREF million is there. If this fellow wanted to try for it, he would have. The fact he has not speaks volumes. It's astonishing, how many self-proclaimed psychics say they either don't believe JREF has the money, or that they don't want the money....while actually performing for money. Mediums and psychics are either entertainers or con artists. There is no third kind.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

21st December 2010, 11:42 AM	#9
George152 Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hamilton New Zealand Posts: 2,042	Originally Posted by wardenclyffe You are talking about this guy?: http://www.silvercordcircle.com/Silv..._Thompson.html and http://adcguides.com/davidthompson1.htm He offers some sort of challenge? I don't know who the Camilla Perrson person is in that second link. I had never heard of him and I've only just glanced at those websites, but I wanted to put them up because you are too new to post URLs in this forum. If there are other sites that are better, please let me know. Ward P.S. Welcome to the forum. He's not a medium. He's a thick !
	__________________ Unemployment isn't working

21st December 2010, 01:43 PM	#10
kittynh The Hupsu Detective auctioneer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: If I told the aliens could find me, and you know they read this forum Posts: 22,707	Ask the Australian Skeptics! They have an incredible group! Richard Saunders is a wonderful person, really nice and certainly would be willing to test this person. I say, contact him! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Saunders_(skeptic)
	__________________ WWW.BADALIEN.ORG - not all the buttons work yet, and the science content is coming...but it's ALIVE!

20th March 2011, 04:18 AM	#11
Natasha Carroll New Blood Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1	David Thomspon is a fake David Thompson is a fake. There is nothing about his seance that is believable. The people that think he is legit are gullible.
Natasha Carroll New Blood Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1

20th March 2011, 05:36 AM	#12
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,525	Everything that has been described in regards to this individual's "seances" are exactly the same sort of schtick that Spiritualist mediums were doing back in the 1930s when Houdini had such great fun exposing them for the frauds they were. He even had to resort to disguises in order to get in....