Cruel trick I played.

Cainkane1 · 16th April 2009, 05:07 AM

There is a building in Conyers that pre dates the American civil war. Its a square brick two story building that has been many things during its existence. It used to be a coal storage warehouse for the railroad. While I've been living in this town it was for many years a antique shop. Currently its a nice little neighborhood pub owned by a Japanese couple who I have come to be very fond of.

Once while in my cups I decided to play a joke on them. I told them that the building was haunted. The reaction was unexpected. They believed me. They spoke in hushed tones of hearing people walk around upstairs when no one was up there. Of hearing voices at closing time. They stay open until after 2:00 A.M. The old squat square building does have a haunted look to it. Until I told my little white lie there had never been reports of spectral activity there. They still believe they have ghosts.

Starthinker · 16th April 2009, 06:32 AM

I tell people all the time that my house is haunted and my neighbors once confessed that when the house sat empty (just before we bought it) they saw the face of a little girl looking out of the attic window and heard music.

bryan · 16th April 2009, 07:05 AM

Hello....

That is not a cruel trick. We watch "Ghost hunters" go into places with no reported activity and claim that the place is infested with Demons.

Most people will accept the information that is given to them about the paranormal without ever actually stopping and thinking about what they are being told.

Due to this type of "Ghost hunting" we have become kind of a clean up team that has to go in an explain the natural causes of what a previous group claimed was Demonic-Ghostly activity.

It is interesting to see the psychology at work when a family is positive that they have this type of event in thier home when they have been told so by the "Experts"

B

Fnord · 16th April 2009, 07:43 AM

I smell profit...

1. Locate an old building that is still occupied.
2. Befriend the occupants.
3. Tell the occupants that their building may be haunted.
4. Support their suspicions about those weird noises and lights.
5. Notify your "Ghost-Busting" friends.
6. Act like a sceptical stranger when your friends show up.
7. Act surprised and relieved when your friends de-haunt the building.
8. Collect your share of the reward.
9. Repeat from step 1.

FSM · 16th April 2009, 07:49 AM

Ah... the old double cross with a spectral twist... I like it!

Wild, Jonathan, 1683–1725, English criminal. He maintained a highly organized gang of thieves in London and long escaped punishment by posing as an instrument of justice and helping the authorities catch other criminals independent of, or rebellious to, his control. He planned robberies and then secured rewards for helping owners recover “lost” property. His thriving business required warehouses, branch offices, artisans to make alterations, and a vessel for trade with the Continent. He was finally convicted (1725) of receiving a reward for returning some stolen lace and was hanged at Tyburn. Literary accounts of Wild's career, such as those of Fielding and Defoe, are partly fictional.

rlr · 16th April 2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by FSM

Ah... the old double cross with a spectral twist... I like it!

Wild, Jonathan, 1683–1725, English criminal. He maintained a highly organized gang of thieves in London and long escaped punishment by posing as an instrument of justice and helping the authorities catch other criminals independent of, or rebellious to, his control. He planned robberies and then secured rewards for helping owners recover “lost” property. His thriving business required warehouses, branch offices, artisans to make alterations, and a vessel for trade with the Continent. He was finally convicted (1725) of receiving a reward for returning some stolen lace and was hanged at Tyburn. Literary accounts of Wild's career, such as those of Fielding and Defoe, are partly fictional.

I was just reading about Jonathan Wild, for completely unrelated reasons. Actually because I was reading about Gentleman Jack Sheppard, which came about due to reading about the history of Tyburn, and notable hangings there.

Clearly this can't be a coincidence. Clearly the ghosts told you what I was thinking. Clearly the forum itself is haunted, though I'm not sure how that would even work. Ghosts using ghost computers.

SlayerofCliffracers · 16th April 2009, 09:11 AM

Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy.

They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence.

prewitt81 · 16th April 2009, 10:47 AM

Basically, this is why magical thinking is so flawed.

Those who indulge in it fall for things like this as it fits their world view perfectly.

Fnord · 16th April 2009, 12:36 PM

Basically, this demonstrates why Astrology is so profitable.

There is a sucker born every minute.

FSM · 16th April 2009, 01:15 PM

Basically, this demonstrates exactly why people should be more skeptical.

There are people giving themselves panic attacks this minute (prolly) because Cain was goofing around.

FSM · 16th April 2009, 01:16 PM

<-----------------------by the way, I am a god.

I need some tithe like nobody's business.

Put a check in the mail TODAY! I say unto, ah, thee.

Swagomatic · 16th April 2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by FSM

<-----------------------by the way, I am a god.

I need some tithe like nobody's business.

Put a check in the mail TODAY! I say unto, ah, thee.

Do you accept American Alla Puttanesca?

Blackwell · 16th April 2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers

Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy.

They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence.

Can you back this claim up?

Desertrat · 16th April 2009, 02:49 PM

hmmm I like this logic!

I am the queen of england!

....

what, it didn't work? *gasps*

desertyeti · 16th April 2009, 02:59 PM

Quiet you!
I'm busy faking all the evidence!

Fnord · 16th April 2009, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by desertyeti

Quiet you!
I'm busy faking all the evidence!

.
Have you faked any evidence yet to prove that the Biblical value for Pi* is not 3?

If we don't "prove" that it's closer to 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375 ... then SoC will be all over us like stink on Sylvia Browne!

(* - Per 2Chronicles 4:2)

Holler Hoojer · 16th April 2009, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Fnord

.
Have you faked any evidence yet to prove that the Biblical value for Pi* is not 3?

If we don't "prove" that it's closer to 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375 ... then SoC will be all over us like stink on Sylvia Browne!

(* - Per 2Chronicles 4:2)

Silly thing! Don't you know God is the "One significant figure" in the Bible?

Gord_in_Toronto · 16th April 2009, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers

Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy.

They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence.

Oh sure.

Chimera · 16th April 2009, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers

Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy.

They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence.

I've been faking evidence for the law of gravity for years. I constantly have to stop myself from floating away. Not easy, folks.

Dr Adequate · 16th April 2009, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers

Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy.

They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence.

Cainkane1 didn't supply any evidence. Just an unsupported assertion.

Fnord · 16th April 2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Holler Hoojer

Silly thing! Don't you know God is the "One significant figure" in the Bible?

.
I shoulda seen it coming...

Horatius · 16th April 2009, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Adequate

Cainkane1 didn't supply any evidence. Just an unsupported assertion.

Which is all the evidence they need!

Weren't you paying attention?

Niggle · 16th April 2009, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Fnord

.
I shoulda seen it coming...

No, no, FSM should have seen it coming! After all, he/she is god, not you!

FSM · 16th April 2009, 10:39 PM

I say unto youse guys, this entire thread:

Mashuna · 17th April 2009, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by FSM

<-----------------------by the way, I am a god.

I need some tithe like nobody's business.

Put a check in the mail TODAY! I say unto, ah, thee.

I sent a load of tithe through as soon as I saw your post.

Wait, what's tithe again?

FSM · 17th April 2009, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Mashuna

I sent a load of tithe through as soon as I saw your post.

Wait, what's tithe again?

It's money you send me so I don't smite your ass.

Sorta like mafia "protection" money.

And yo, sheepboy... consider that an offer ewe shouldn't refuse...

Harpyja · 17th April 2009, 07:45 PM

*worships the zombie Jesusfish*

Cainkane1 · 20th April 2009, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Fnord

I smell profit...

1. Locate an old building that is still occupied.
2. Befriend the occupants.
3. Tell the occupants that their building may be haunted.
4. Support their suspicions about those weird noises and lights.
5. Notify your "Ghost-Busting" friends.
6. Act like a sceptical stranger when your friends show up.
7. Act surprised and relieved when your friends de-haunt the building.
8. Collect your share of the reward.
9. Repeat from step 1.

Nah perpetuate the hoax so that the pub will attract ghost hunters who drink and keep the pub in money from curious customers.

Cainkane1 · 20th April 2009, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Dr Adequate

Cainkane1 didn't supply any evidence. Just an unsupported assertion.

I supplied a joke. I've lived in this town since 1972 and not one word about this building being haunted have I ever actually heard.

16th April 2009, 05:07 AM	#1
Cainkane1 Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 7,198	Cruel trick I played. There is a building in Conyers that pre dates the American civil war. Its a square brick two story building that has been many things during its existence. It used to be a coal storage warehouse for the railroad. While I've been living in this town it was for many years a antique shop. Currently its a nice little neighborhood pub owned by a Japanese couple who I have come to be very fond of. Once while in my cups I decided to play a joke on them. I told them that the building was haunted. The reaction was unexpected. They believed me. They spoke in hushed tones of hearing people walk around upstairs when no one was up there. Of hearing voices at closing time. They stay open until after 2:00 A.M. The old squat square building does have a haunted look to it. Until I told my little white lie there had never been reports of spectral activity there. They still believe they have ghosts.
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.

16th April 2009, 06:32 AM	#2
Starthinker Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5,014	I tell people all the time that my house is haunted and my neighbors once confessed that when the house sat empty (just before we bought it) they saw the face of a little girl looking out of the attic window and heard music.
	__________________ \|¦¦\|¦ \|¦\|\|\|\|¦\|\|\|¦\|\|¦¦\|¦\|\|\|\|\|\|\|¦\|¦¦¦¦\|¦¦¦¦\|\|¦\|¦\|¦¦\|¦ \|¦¦\|¦ He who doubts victory has already lost the battle. Below the navel there is neither religion nor truth.

16th April 2009, 07:49 AM	#5
FSM god Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sandpit...looking for strokes Posts: 2,305	Ah... the old double cross with a spectral twist... I like it! Wild, Jonathan, 1683–1725, English criminal. He maintained a highly organized gang of thieves in London and long escaped punishment by posing as an instrument of justice and helping the authorities catch other criminals independent of, or rebellious to, his control. He planned robberies and then secured rewards for helping owners recover “lost” property. His thriving business required warehouses, branch offices, artisans to make alterations, and a vessel for trade with the Continent. He was finally convicted (1725) of receiving a reward for returning some stolen lace and was hanged at Tyburn. Literary accounts of Wild's career, such as those of Fielding and Defoe, are partly fictional.
	__________________ Woman.

16th April 2009, 09:11 AM	#7
SlayerofCliffracers Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 148	Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy. They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence.

$SlayerofCliffracers is offline$

16th April 2009, 10:47 AM	#8
prewitt81 Notoriously Glorious Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,208	Basically, this is why magical thinking is so flawed. Those who indulge in it fall for things like this as it fits their world view perfectly.
	__________________ Knowledge is Power! "If we want to teach the Moon is green cheese then we'll do it!" -- Eric Hovind defending his father's pro-creationist stance. (http://www.kent-hovind.com/) "Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it."

16th April 2009, 07:05 AM	#3
bryan Scholar Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 117	Hello.... That is not a cruel trick. We watch "Ghost hunters" go into places with no reported activity and claim that the place is infested with Demons. Most people will accept the information that is given to them about the paranormal without ever actually stopping and thinking about what they are being told. Due to this type of "Ghost hunting" we have become kind of a clean up team that has to go in an explain the natural causes of what a previous group claimed was Demonic-Ghostly activity. It is interesting to see the psychology at work when a family is positive that they have this type of event in thier home when they have been told so by the "Experts" B

16th April 2009, 07:43 AM	#4
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	I smell profit... 1. Locate an old building that is still occupied. 2. Befriend the occupants. 3. Tell the occupants that their building may be haunted. 4. Support their suspicions about those weird noises and lights. 5. Notify your "Ghost-Busting" friends. 6. Act like a sceptical stranger when your friends show up. 7. Act surprised and relieved when your friends de-haunt the building. 8. Collect your share of the reward. 9. Repeat from step 1.

16th April 2009, 09:06 AM	#6
rlr Scholar Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 53	Originally Posted by FSM Ah... the old double cross with a spectral twist... I like it! Wild, Jonathan, 1683–1725, English criminal. He maintained a highly organized gang of thieves in London and long escaped punishment by posing as an instrument of justice and helping the authorities catch other criminals independent of, or rebellious to, his control. He planned robberies and then secured rewards for helping owners recover “lost” property. His thriving business required warehouses, branch offices, artisans to make alterations, and a vessel for trade with the Continent. He was finally convicted (1725) of receiving a reward for returning some stolen lace and was hanged at Tyburn. Literary accounts of Wild's career, such as those of Fielding and Defoe, are partly fictional. I was just reading about Jonathan Wild, for completely unrelated reasons. Actually because I was reading about Gentleman Jack Sheppard, which came about due to reading about the history of Tyburn, and notable hangings there. Clearly this can't be a coincidence. Clearly the ghosts told you what I was thinking. Clearly the forum itself is haunted, though I'm not sure how that would even work. Ghosts using ghost computers.

16th April 2009, 12:36 PM	#9
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	Basically, this demonstrates why Astrology is so profitable. There is a sucker born every minute.

16th April 2009, 01:15 PM	#10
FSM god Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sandpit...looking for strokes Posts: 2,305	Basically, this demonstrates exactly why people should be more skeptical. There are people giving themselves panic attacks this minute (prolly) because Cain was goofing around.
	__________________ Woman.

16th April 2009, 01:16 PM	#11
FSM god Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sandpit...looking for strokes Posts: 2,305	<-----------------------by the way, I am a god. I need some tithe like nobody's business. Put a check in the mail TODAY! I say unto, ah, thee.
	__________________ Woman.

16th April 2009, 02:04 PM	#12
Swagomatic Homer Simpson Analogue Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,848	Originally Posted by FSM <-----------------------by the way, I am a god. I need some tithe like nobody's business. Put a check in the mail TODAY! I say unto, ah, thee. Do you accept American Alla Puttanesca?
	__________________ I do mind, the Dude minds. This will not stand, ya know, this aggression will not stand, man. - The Dude

16th April 2009, 02:40 PM	#13
Blackwell Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,304	Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy. They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence. Can you back this claim up?
	__________________ One can't break the laws of physics, but you can be civilly disobedient towards them. - Dr. Tiki And yea, the Lord did text unto the Philistines... U guys have to stop s1nnig. I totaly <3 U guys 4ever but I will pwn U when I CUL8ER and U will be all OMG! and WTF! and I be LOL!!! - Psiload

16th April 2009, 02:49 PM	#14
Desertrat New Blood Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	hmmm I like this logic! I am the queen of england! .... what, it didn't work? gasps
Desertrat New Blood Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17

16th April 2009, 02:59 PM	#15
desertyeti Muse Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: down by the river Posts: 838	Quiet you! I'm busy faking all the evidence!
	__________________ "He is a sick, demented yeti." They only poo in other dimensions!

16th April 2009, 04:37 PM	#16
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	Originally Posted by desertyeti Quiet you! I'm busy faking all the evidence! . Have you faked any evidence yet to prove that the Biblical value for Pi* is not 3? If we don't "prove" that it's closer to 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375 ... then SoC will be all over us like stink on Sylvia Browne! (* - Per 2Chronicles 4:2)
	__________________ 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.**

16th April 2009, 04:42 PM	#17
Holler Hoojer Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 422	Originally Posted by Fnord . Have you faked any evidence yet to prove that the Biblical value for Pi* is not 3? If we don't "prove" that it's closer to 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375 ... then SoC will be all over us like stink on Sylvia Browne! (* - Per 2Chronicles 4:2) Silly thing! Don't you know God is the "One significant figure" in the Bible?
	Last edited by Holler Hoojer; 16th April 2009 at 04:43 PM. Reason: left out "God" - I must be a Unitarian

16th April 2009, 04:52 PM	#18
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,418	Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy. They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence. Oh sure.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

16th April 2009, 05:01 PM	#19
Chimera Mind Fetishist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southwestern US Posts: 394	Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy. They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence. I've been faking evidence for the law of gravity for years. I constantly have to stop myself from floating away. Not easy, folks.
	__________________ "6,000 years ago, God created a 4-billion-year-old Earth. He can totally do that!"--Aggle-rithm "I always thought 'respect' meant 'don't let on how ridiculous you think other people are'."--Tragic Monkey

16th April 2009, 07:07 PM	#20
Dr Adequate Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Waiting Long Enough By The River Posts: 17,897	Originally Posted by SlayerofCliffracers Basically this is typical evidence as to why Skeptics are their own worst enemy. They complain about the evidence all being faked whilst they go around faking all the evidence. Cainkane1 didn't supply any evidence. Just an unsupported assertion.

16th April 2009, 07:11 PM	#21
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	Originally Posted by Holler Hoojer Silly thing! Don't you know God is the "One significant figure" in the Bible? . I shoulda seen it coming...
	__________________ 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.**

16th April 2009, 07:37 PM	#22
Horatius NWO Kitty Wrangler Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 21,894	Originally Posted by Dr Adequate Cainkane1 didn't supply any evidence. Just an unsupported assertion. Which is all the evidence they need! Weren't you paying attention?
	__________________ Obviously, that means cats are indeed evil and that ownership or display of a feline is an overt declaration of one's affiliation with dark forces. - Cl1mh4224rd

16th April 2009, 08:34 PM	#23
Niggle Basement Cat's Evil Twin Skippy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 603	Originally Posted by Fnord . I shoulda seen it coming... No, no, FSM should have seen it coming! After all, he/she is god, not you!

16th April 2009, 10:39 PM	#24
FSM god Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sandpit...looking for strokes Posts: 2,305	I say unto youse guys, this entire thread:
	__________________ Woman.

17th April 2009, 12:03 AM	#25
Mashuna Ovis ex Machina Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Welsh Wales Posts: 6,582	Originally Posted by FSM <-----------------------by the way, I am a god. I need some tithe like nobody's business. Put a check in the mail TODAY! I say unto, ah, thee. I sent a load of tithe through as soon as I saw your post. Wait, what's tithe again?
	__________________ GENERATION 10: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and put in a random number. Anti-social experiment.

17th April 2009, 01:45 PM	#26
FSM god Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sandpit...looking for strokes Posts: 2,305	Originally Posted by Mashuna I sent a load of tithe through as soon as I saw your post. Wait, what's tithe again? It's money you send me so I don't smite your ass. Sorta like mafia "protection" money. And yo, sheepboy... consider that an offer ewe shouldn't refuse...
	__________________ Woman.

17th April 2009, 07:45 PM	#27
Harpyja Irrepressible Buzzard Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 636	worships the zombie Jesusfish
	__________________ "No man is free to embrace and profess that religion which he believes to be true, guided by the light of reason." - 1864 Syllabus of Errors of Pius IX, Vatican Council

20th April 2009, 11:22 AM	#28
Cainkane1 Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 7,198	Originally Posted by Fnord I smell profit... 1. Locate an old building that is still occupied. 2. Befriend the occupants. 3. Tell the occupants that their building may be haunted. 4. Support their suspicions about those weird noises and lights. 5. Notify your "Ghost-Busting" friends. 6. Act like a sceptical stranger when your friends show up. 7. Act surprised and relieved when your friends de-haunt the building. 8. Collect your share of the reward. 9. Repeat from step 1. Nah perpetuate the hoax so that the pub will attract ghost hunters who drink and keep the pub in money from curious customers.
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.

20th April 2009, 11:26 AM	#29
Cainkane1 Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 7,198	Originally Posted by Dr Adequate Cainkane1 didn't supply any evidence. Just an unsupported assertion. I supplied a joke. I've lived in this town since 1972 and not one word about this building being haunted have I ever actually heard.
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.