CNN story seemingly endorses phychics & numerology

Glenn · 10th July 2009, 11:18 AM

(wasn't sure if this section or "Social Issues & Current Events" was more appropriate)

Anyone know whom to contact at CNN to let them know what you think of a story like this?

Check out: Psychics see magic in Michael Jackson's life

It's a completely uncritical pseudoscience story by an apparent moron named Lisa Respers France, with passages like this:

Originally Posted by CNN's Lisa Respers France

Numerology deals with the influence of numbers on personal characteristics and human affairs.

[...]

Unlike other souls that stay in the nonphysical realm anywhere from 70 to 150 years, he said, he believes the singer's soul will return quickly -- within the next 20 years -- because Jackson was such a perfectionist that he will want to "pick up where he left off."

All written as if it's true, without a hint of critical thought. It's CNN's most popular story right now. In their "Top News" section!

Like it's subject matter... unbelievable.

foxholeatheist · 10th July 2009, 11:25 AM

Wow... way to go CNN.

"Nah-uh dude, Numerology is totality real, I saw it on CNN!"

Marduk · 10th July 2009, 11:26 AM

oh well, see I knew this was going to happen
several weeks ago
this is old news

btw you almost spelled psychics as physics, hey whats that noise, ah its just Albert Einsten spinning in his grave at about 180 rpm, quick someone grab 500 metres of copper wire and follow me, I have an idea how to generate free energy

Glenn · 10th July 2009, 11:37 AM

Oh damn - can a mod fix my typo in the subject line?! Thanks, Marduk.

FWIW, it's not old news... CNN just posted it. It's not the Jackson part of the story that's notable, it's the pseudoscience part.

Glenn · 10th July 2009, 11:47 AM

Not sure it's worth the effort as these things happen all the time, but I figure the more they hear the better... here's one place to comment to CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?14

Dr. Lao · 11th July 2009, 12:12 AM

Its not news.

Its CNN

UncaYimmy · 11th July 2009, 12:33 AM

At least it's filed under entertainment and not science.

MattusMaximus · 11th July 2009, 12:41 AM

Ladewig · 11th July 2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Marduk

btw you almost spelled psychics as physics, hey whats that noise, ah its just Albert Einsten spinning in his grave

Is there anything worse than misspelling a word in a post where one is pointing out someone else's misspelling a word?

Marduk · 13th July 2009, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ladewig

Is there anything worse than misspelling a word in a post where one is pointing out someone else's misspelling a word?

only one thing I can think of, when someone attempts to point out that someone pointing out that something spelled incorrectly is also spelling something incorrectly, when it isn't

thaiboxerken · 13th July 2009, 12:38 PM

I sent some feedback. Not expecting much in return.

dudalb · 13th July 2009, 01:36 PM

With Derek Chorpa as a regular commentator, what did you expect?

Ladewig · 13th July 2009, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Marduk

only one thing I can think of, when someone attempts to point out that someone pointing out that something spelled incorrectly is also spelling something incorrectly, when it isn't

Are you trying to claim that "Albert Einsten" is spelled correctly?

Marduk · 13th July 2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Ladewig

Are you trying to claim that "Albert Einsten" is spelled correctly?

yes, because its a typo and not a spelling mistake, you can blame my "i" key, not my consciousness

Puppycow · 13th July 2009, 11:11 PM

CNN has a long history of endorsing woo.

Larry King for example.

10th July 2009, 11:18 AM	#1
Glenn Scholar Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 119	CNN story seemingly endorses phychics & numerology (wasn't sure if this section or "Social Issues & Current Events" was more appropriate) Anyone know whom to contact at CNN to let them know what you think of a story like this? Check out: Psychics see magic in Michael Jackson's life It's a completely uncritical pseudoscience story by an apparent moron named Lisa Respers France, with passages like this: Originally Posted by CNN's Lisa Respers France Numerology deals with the influence of numbers on personal characteristics and human affairs. [...] Unlike other souls that stay in the nonphysical realm anywhere from 70 to 150 years, he said, he believes the singer's soul will return quickly -- within the next 20 years -- because Jackson was such a perfectionist that he will want to "pick up where he left off." All written as if it's true, without a hint of critical thought. It's CNN's most popular story right now. In their "Top News" section! Like it's subject matter... unbelievable.

10th July 2009, 11:25 AM	#2
foxholeatheist Muse Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 649	Wow... way to go CNN. "Nah-uh dude, Numerology is totality real, I saw it on CNN!"
	__________________ “In God We Trust.” I don’t believe it would sound any better if it were true. - Mark Twain Who says there's no atheists in foxholes? http://foxholeatheist.wordpress.com/ [/shamelessblogplug]

10th July 2009, 11:26 AM	#3
Marduk Dragon Killer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 3,073	oh well, see I knew this was going to happen several weeks ago this is old news btw you almost spelled psychics as physics, hey whats that noise, ah its just Albert Einsten spinning in his grave at about 180 rpm, quick someone grab 500 metres of copper wire and follow me, I have an idea how to generate free energy
	__________________ Senno Ecto Gama ĝae haš dug zae ama kibid "Stupid humans" (Wollery) "Kill all humans" (Bender) "for while heaven may be closed I am always open, even on Christmas." (Lucifer) Last edited by Marduk; 10th July 2009 at 11:32 AM.

10th July 2009, 11:37 AM	#4
Glenn Scholar Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 119	Oh damn - can a mod fix my typo in the subject line?! Thanks, Marduk. FWIW, it's not old news... CNN just posted it. It's not the Jackson part of the story that's notable, it's the pseudoscience part.
	Last edited by Glenn; 10th July 2009 at 11:39 AM.

11th July 2009, 12:12 AM	#6
Dr. Lao Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 380	Its not news. Its CNN
Dr. Lao Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 380	__________________ Being a Conspiracy Theorist is easy, you never have to provide proof, you only demand that others disprove you. And when they do disprove you, you can accuse them of being part of the conspiracy, and make up a new one.

10th July 2009, 11:47 AM	#5
Glenn Scholar Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 119	Not sure it's worth the effort as these things happen all the time, but I figure the more they hear the better... here's one place to comment to CNN: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?14

11th July 2009, 12:33 AM	#7
UncaYimmy Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,570	At least it's filed under entertainment and not science.

11th July 2009, 12:41 AM	#8
MattusMaximus Intellectual Gladiator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the midst of a vast, beautiful & uncaring universe Posts: 7,123
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11th July 2009, 08:55 AM	#9
Ladewig Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Gulf Coast Posts: 8,961	Originally Posted by Marduk btw you almost spelled psychics as physics, hey whats that noise, ah its just Albert Einsten spinning in his grave Is there anything worse than misspelling a word in a post where one is pointing out someone else's misspelling a word?
	__________________ When I see all the kooky things posted on the JREF forums, I can't help but think of Max Bialystock's lament: "They come here, they all come here, how do they find us?"

13th July 2009, 12:25 PM	#10
Marduk Dragon Killer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 3,073	Originally Posted by Ladewig Is there anything worse than misspelling a word in a post where one is pointing out someone else's misspelling a word? only one thing I can think of, when someone attempts to point out that someone pointing out that something spelled incorrectly is also spelling something incorrectly, when it isn't
	__________________ Senno Ecto Gama ĝae haš dug zae ama kibid "Stupid humans" (Wollery) "Kill all humans" (Bender) "for while heaven may be closed I am always open, even on Christmas." (Lucifer)

13th July 2009, 12:38 PM	#11
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	I sent some feedback. Not expecting much in return.
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13th July 2009, 01:36 PM	#12
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14,444	With Derek Chorpa as a regular commentator, what did you expect?

13th July 2009, 03:50 PM	#13
Ladewig Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Gulf Coast Posts: 8,961	Originally Posted by Marduk only one thing I can think of, when someone attempts to point out that someone pointing out that something spelled incorrectly is also spelling something incorrectly, when it isn't Are you trying to claim that "Albert Einsten" is spelled correctly?
	__________________ When I see all the kooky things posted on the JREF forums, I can't help but think of Max Bialystock's lament: "They come here, they all come here, how do they find us?"

13th July 2009, 04:50 PM	#14
Marduk Dragon Killer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 3,073	Originally Posted by Ladewig Are you trying to claim that "Albert Einsten" is spelled correctly? yes, because its a typo and not a spelling mistake, you can blame my "i" key, not my consciousness
	__________________ Senno Ecto Gama ĝae haš dug zae ama kibid "Stupid humans" (Wollery) "Kill all humans" (Bender) "for while heaven may be closed I am always open, even on Christmas." (Lucifer)

13th July 2009, 11:11 PM	#15
Puppycow Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 6,323	CNN has a long history of endorsing woo. Larry King for example.
	__________________ I can't come to bed yet, honey. Someone on the Internet is wrong. -XKCD Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous Religions are God's way of telling us that He doesn't exist. -Pat Condell