By Brian Carnell

Thursday, June 21, 2001

An article appeared in USA Today on June 20 about psychics and specifically the John Edwards phenomenon. I though James Randi offered the best assessment of these frauds:

People not only want it to be true, they need it to be true. It's the feel good syndrome. Everyone wants to be reassured about loved ones who have passed. Just once I want to find a spiritualist who says, 'Oh, well, sorry. She went to hell and I can't reach her.'

While channel surfing the other day I accidentally started watching Edwards' show and couldn't believe people fall for such an obvious fraud. He started the show by standing in front of the audience and began a transparent monologue that went something like this (I'm paraphrasing): "I'm seeing the letters JA." Then he goes on to say its a man who could be a father, brother, cousin, lover, husband, or friend, and the letters JA could be initials like John Adams or they could be the first two letters of a first, middle or last name, like James or Jamison."

This is a classic cold reading technique, and Edwards seems very awkward while doing it. The audience, however, seemed to be falling for this hook, line and sinker.

The SciFi Channel has actually been run a promotion for Edwards' show that illustrates how credulous some people are with these psychics. Edwards stands in front of a woman and says "I'm getting the name Susan." The woman's eyes lights up. The woman replies, "Susan was my husband's first wife." And again, this woman is completely buying this act. She thinks he's got a "hit."

Edwards gives carnival performers a bad name, and yet he's getting enormous ratings. Go figure.

Discuss (0 Replies) | Printer Friendly