StopSylviaBrowne - I Speak With Sylvia Browne

[wahrheit]

I think he may have meant you are banned until the next time you take a trip to Vegas; knowing that you were a tourist, and that wouldn't be for a while.

"Banned until the next time I see you" is bouncer speak for you are not banned at all. I think someone mentioned this before, Chillzero IIRC.

 

[headscratcher4]

"Lancaster: Second: does this mean I am banned from the Excalibur for life?
Supervisor: [After a pause, smiling] Let's just say... until the next time I see you.



I still don't know what he meant by that."

Robert: i was thinking about this too. I would interpret this as meaning you aren't banned from the Hotel. You note this was a supervisor. I suspect that he is only called to the floor when there is a problem or dispute...a common example might be a mean drunk who refueses to leave the premisis peacefully. The supervisor is called to help the ejection.

So, my guess is that if you were to see him, specifically, you would be in a situation where they wanted you to leave and they called the supervisor to assist...in short, he would be seeing you again, as it were. I suspect he never sees someone, little less twice, unless they are in some sort of "trouble" with the hotel.

 

[Doubt]

Scenario for TAM 7:

Sylvia is playing the Excalibur again. TAM wraps up. Sylvia has a packed house that does not include anyone from last year. Show that day gets canceled on short notice.

 

[Ersby]

Gah. I go away for a few days and look what happens.

A great article, Robert. Clear and concise. And very interesting. And also a remarkable result on the woman who defended Slyvia in LA.

 

[blobru]

Howard!!

There was a film loop playing on the main auditorium screen during one of the TAM 6 lunches. One of the bits repeated during that loop was The Three Stooges running around a hospital, with the hospital's loud speaker blaring "Dr. Howard! Dr Fine! Doctor Howard!"

Coincidence? I think not. ...

No such thing as coincidence, skeppy. Only Sylvia's "predictions" and our tortuous interpretations. For consider again:

Claus Flodin/"Howard" Larsen is Danish.

Howard --> H₂O-ward --> i.e. "toward water".

What sort of people are drawn toward water?

Seafarers.

And who were the greatest seafarers in history?

The Vikings.

Vikings from?

Denmark.



The sublime Ms. B scores again...

 

[CFLarsen]

Claus Flodin/"Howard" Larsen

I'll never live that one down.

 

[blobru]

I'll never live that one down.

Might as well embrace it then.

CFLarsen
aka "Howard" <-- custom sig (or whatever they're called); much better than "penultimate amazing", imo.

 

[RSLancastr]

Plus these people are freakin' crazy so you should be nervous! I'm pretty comfortable in a lot of situations but hot damn, surrounded by nutjobs?

In my opinion, few of the people who follow Browne would belong in the "nutjob" category (your definition of the term may vary). Many of them are people who fell into it because of overwhelming grief. More are in it because it makes them "feel good" to believe some of the things she says in her books. The fact that they haven't applied critical thinking to Browne's claims does not - to me anyway - label them as a "nutjob."

There are of course some deeply nutty people within her following.

But then, there are some deeply nutty people in the Skeptical camp as well.

In the interests of overdoing it, hardly possible in this case, let me add my thanks for a fine article and a model display of skepticism. How you kept your cool in the presence of all the psi-energy she must have been radiating... very impressive.

Thanks, blobru!

For consider: Howard rhymes with "showered"; what happens if you've showered but forget to turn off the taps? Flooding ~~~ Flodin.*

You have a career awaiting you in the paranormal industry.

Great article, Robert! I was happy to meet with you briefly at TAM.

I'm sure I was pleased to meet you as well, though I would imagine you did not introduce yourself as "Skeppy," did you?

I think your other articles are much more revealing as to how despicable Sylvia really is. It is to those that believers should be steered.

Very true. This article, in and of itself, has little meaning. It takes on most of its meaning when read in context with the rest of the site.

The obvious answer: on a mountain of other people's money and grief. <click>

Too true, sad to say.

I think he answered your question how he imagined you asked it rather than how you actually did

Perhaps so.

Anyways.... awesome article. Fun to read.

Thanks!

Robert: i was thinking about this too. I would interpret this as meaning you aren't banned from the Hotel.

This seems to be the consensus, but I don't imagine I will test the theory out any time soon. I am content not to go back until after Browne is no longer performing there, and I doubt even then (unless TAM is ever held there, which I doubt).

Sylvia is playing the Excalibur again. TAM wraps up. Sylvia has a packed house that does not include anyone from last year. Show that day gets canceled on short notice.

I can't imagine Browne cancelling on that many tickets!

A great article, Robert. Clear and concise. And very interesting. And also a remarkable result on the woman who defended Slyvia in LA.

I don't know about "coincise," but thanks, Ersby!

Vikings from?

Denmark.



The sublime Ms. B scores again...

Have you been communing with the Corn Gods, blobru?

I'll never live that one down.

Nor should you!

 

[MaryCBW]

Quick thought.

Claus, are you sure that Flodin was your biological grandfather, and not some guy named Howard? Maybe SB knows something that you don't.

It reminds me of one of my favorite (clean) jokes. A computer scientist unveils a machine that he claims to have the answer to any question. A reporter on the scene asks, "Where is my father?" The computer's reply: "He is fishing in Minnesota". "Wrong!" says the reporter triumphantly, "My father has been dead for several years!" "Let's try rephrasing the question," says the computer scientist. "This man standing here before you, where is his mother's husband?" The computer replies, "His mother's husband has been dead for several years. His father is fishing in Minnesota."

My aunt likes to say that when a daughter has a baby, you know that is your grandchild. When a son's wife/girlfriend has a baby, you can never be quite sure.

 

[CFLarsen]

Might as well embrace it then.

CFLarsen
aka "Howard" <-- custom sig (or whatever they're called); much better than "penultimate amazing", imo.

Har de har.

 

[MaryCBW]

Wonderful read

I'd love to have the entire story on DVD just to be able to watch Sylvia lose it
over and over again until my DVD player died in protest.

RSL said :The sad truth is, we are all raised to not "make a fuss."
My grandmother:
"Play nice, it's not going to kill you."
Me:
"It might."
Then I would get "The Look". She could have stopped Dog the Bounty Hunter in the middle of a word.

 

[EHocking]

My aunt likes to say that when a daughter has a baby, you know that is your grandchild. When a son's wife/girlfriend has a baby, you can never be quite sure.

But if you're male, can you be sure SHE'S your daughter?

 

[Rasmus]

But if you're male, can you be sure SHE'S your daughter?

No, hnece it's an aunt saying it, not an uncle

 

[NoZed Avenger]

But then, there are some deeply nutty people in the Skeptical camp as well.

HEY!

 

[Sasha]

Great article, Robert. It seems obvious that she knew who you were before the show started, put your question at the end hoping she could get a rise out of you and have you react in a loud obnoxious manner so she could call security and have you thrown out in front of the entire audience. Security was probably already alerted and awaiting her cue. It must have really steamed her that you didn't take her bait. Nice job.

 

[Locknar]

Great article, Robert. It seems obvious that she knew who you were before the show started, put your question at the end hoping she could get a rise out of you and have you react in a loud obnoxious manner so she could call security and have you thrown out in front of the entire audience. Security was probably already alerted and awaiting her cue. It must have really steamed her that you didn't take her bait. Nice job.

You'd think, as a supposed genuine psychic, she would provide some credible proof of her ability vs play such silly games.

The fact she (or her folks) have never provided anything credible, after asked by RSL, Cooper, and others I think speaks volumes.

 

[LashL]

Wow, what a fabulous article! Huge kudos to Robert, Susan and Claus for a job very well done, indeed.

 

[pgwenthold]

I was in Las Vegas back in January for a convention. I recall when I was passing through the Excalibur I saw a large poster advertising the witch. I thought it was rather interesting that RSL and friends found no posters advertising her performance (for lack of a better word) and were forced to hunt down the venue.

The Excalibur isn't too complicated. In terms of venues, the Thunder from Down Under theatre is about the only thing there (Louie Anderson plays it, too). However, it is pretty popular.

I stayed in the Excalibur in Feb, and actually crossed paths with Sylvia in the casino. I posted on it here, about how I blew it. I really, physically had the chance to "stop sylvia browne."

 

[pgwenthold]

I'm late to the party, but some comments:
1) Her claim of a masters from USF is a big step. We can start contacting the registrar offices in all the SF schools and ask if they can confirm that they awarded a masters degree to Sylvia Browne (or any pseudonyms) at any point. They can give that information. That question was as pointed and cruel as possible.
2) The woman who's mother just died and Sylvia said she loved the service: one of the biggest problems that happens with this type of activity is that incorrect guesses that don't get called out can be interpreted as being correct. The whole audience there might actually come out of that place thinking that her mother had a good service, based on Sylvia's comment. How would they feel if they knew there hadn't been one? Her silence on that comment goes a huge way toward perpetuating the fraud. I'm not blaming her on it, it is the natural response. Especially given how so completely idiotic it is. The response is basically stunned silence of disbelief. Unfortunately, it is interpreted as affirmation.
3) The correspondence with the first woman is impressive. The woman starts out as, "oooo, you are being mean to poor Sylvia..." and thinks Robert is just some smart aleck trying to make her look bad. She then finds out that she is talking to someone who knows an awful lot. He's not some random arse off the street, he is, for lack of a better word, and expert on Sylvia Browne. Her change in attitude is shocking.
4) Can those who bought the VIP tickets make a claim against her? What is promised for their extra $50? Is that delivered? She will probably get away with it because she is going to be able to say they get the best seats in the house or something lame like that, but in the small theatres in Vegas, that isn't much of a premium.

When Robert started this, I was skeptical. Sylvia's too big, I figured, and he's not going to be able to do enough to dent her. But dude, you are hurting her, and she knows it. It may not be hitting the pocketbook yet, but it is certainly hitting her foundation. She's scared. And unlike her run ins with Randi, she can't use it for publicity, as a badge of honor. You are just an insect she can't get rid of.

 

[RSL's better half]

I'm late to the party, but some comments:
1) Her claim of a masters from USF is a big step. We can start contacting the registrar offices in all the SF schools and ask if they can confirm that they awarded a masters degree to Sylvia Browne (or any pseudonyms) at any point. They can give that information. That question was as pointed and cruel as possible.
2) The woman who's mother just died and Sylvia said she loved the service: one of the biggest problems that happens with this type of activity is that incorrect guesses that don't get called out can be interpreted as being correct. The whole audience there might actually come out of that place thinking that her mother had a good service, based on Sylvia's comment. How would they feel if they knew there hadn't been one? Her silence on that comment goes a huge way toward perpetuating the fraud. I'm not blaming her on it, it is the natural response. Especially given how so completely idiotic it is. The response is basically stunned silence of disbelief. Unfortunately, it is interpreted as affirmation.
3) The correspondence with the first woman is impressive. The woman starts out as, "oooo, you are being mean to poor Sylvia..." and thinks Robert is just some smart aleck trying to make her look bad. She then finds out that she is talking to someone who knows an awful lot. He's not some random arse off the street, he is, for lack of a better word, and expert on Sylvia Browne. Her change in attitude is shocking.
4) Can those who bought the VIP tickets make a claim against her? What is promised for their extra $50? Is that delivered? She will probably get away with it because she is going to be able to say they get the best seats in the house or something lame like that, but in the small theatres in Vegas, that isn't much of a premium.

When Robert started this, I was skeptical. Sylvia's too big, I figured, and he's not going to be able to do enough to dent her. But dude, you are hurting her, and she knows it. It may not be hitting the pocketbook yet, but it is certainly hitting her foundation. She's scared. And unlike her run ins with Randi, she can't use it for publicity, as a badge of honor. You are just an insect she can't get rid of.

The entire point of asking the question is to do exactly what you suggest. He has seen this claim in many, many books, and heard her say it as well. Anyone who listens to the woman for more than 5 minutes would easily doubt this claim. If she got a Masters in English, it is my opinion that she purchased it, because she learned nothing.

As Robert has mentioned, the politeness of people whom SB gives incorrect answers to does perpetuate the fraud, as you stated. Stunned disbelief, too, I guess. But I tend to think they just don't want to cause a fuss. I'm remembering the woman on Montel whose fiance, a firefighter, died in the attack on 9/11, and her "stunned disbelief" at first, like she was trying to understand what she was being told, and realization that SB was not psychic and could give her no solice - it was written all over her face!

As for the tickets, by paying the extra $50 you are guaranteed a question. There is no guarantee for those who pay the "cheaper" price. In the case of our audience, EVERYONE got to ask a question. I guess she was feeling particularly generous that day.

I don't remember whether Robert mentioned this in the article - I'll have to go back and reread it - but one of the things that struck me when the "priviledged" folks were lining up on both ends of the stage was what Sylvia told them. She didn't want them asking what she considered a stupid question: "Is my loved one happy on the other side?" "Of course they're happy! They're all happy on the other side." she said. Her tone of voice was impatient and condescending. But her followers just call that being "down to earth." Amazing.

I like the analogy of Robert as an insect. That's great! A great big wasp that just keeps on stinging! While he keeps stinging, I keep hoping for that one piece of evidence which will put her in prison for the little time she has left on this planet. Putting both sons and the upper echelon of her organization in prison for a few years would be icing on the cake for me, though I know a very nice man would be hurt if the sons went to prison. I would be sorry about that.