Cold reading of Ted Bundy photograph.

[Father Dagon]

Does anyone please have a bigger and better version of this pic?

 

[desertgal]

You mean the one of Bundy? It's here.

Out of curiosity, why cold read a Bundy photo? There is nothing about him that hasn't been public knowledge for decades.

 

[rudeboy]

You mean the one of Bundy? It's here.

Out of curiosity, why cold read a Bundy photo? There is nothing about him that hasn't been public knowledge for decades.

whos bundy..a philanthropist??

 

[LawnOven]

You mean the one of Bundy? It's here.

Out of curiosity, why cold read a Bundy photo? There is nothing about him that hasn't been public knowledge for decades.

Well if you happen to not know you are reading a picture of Ted Bundy, it can lead to hilarious results.

 

[Bikewer]

This is from the PBS special Randi did a few years ago; the two ladies are Russian "psychics".

They didn't know Bundy from Adam, and kept complaining that Randi "would give them nothing."

 

[Father Dagon]

You mean the one of Bundy? It's here.

Thanks, but I think that you misunderstood me. I'm searcing for a photo where you clearly can see it's Ted Bundy on the pic. A hi-rez video clip would be nice too.

This pic is only funny for us who knows that whom the photo depicts. But for those outside the know might as well think that the photo is of Al Bundy.

 

[Agatha]

whos bundy..a philanthropist??

Here, let me google that for you.

 

[rudeboy]

Here, let me google that for you.

He was?!!

 

[Bell]

Well if you happen to not know you are reading a picture of Ted Bundy, it can lead to hilarious results.

Looking at that picture, he sure looks like a nice, well mannered fellow.

 

[desertgal]

This is from the PBS special Randi did a few years ago; the two ladies are Russian "psychics".

They didn't know Bundy from Adam, and kept complaining that Randi "would give them nothing."

Ah, I see. My bad. I would think, though, that a true "psychic" would get a big vibe off a Bundy photo. Maybe Randi should have used the screaming picture and really freaked them out.

ETA: I have to question their "unawareness" of Bundy, however. One of the three major studies on Bundy - The Stranger Beside Me, by Ann Rule - has been available in Russia and Europe since the first updated version was released in 1989, in Russian, French, Italian, and the original English. As well, a lesser study, The Only Living Witness by Stephen Michaud, was released in Russia in 1999. Both books contained that picture, as have numerous documentaries about Bundy that have been broadcast and rebroadcast and available on DVD and VHS worldwide for years. It's possible that they may not have known who Bundy was - it's also possible that they recognized the picture and downplayed any awareness of Bundy because it was just too 'easy'.

 

[Father Dagon]

Ah, I see. My bad. I would think, though, that a true "psychic" would get a big vibe off a Bundy photo. Maybe Randi should have used the screaming picture and really freaked them out.

ETA: I have to question their "unawareness" of Bundy, however. One of the three major literary studies on Bundy - The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule has been available in Russia and Europe since the updated version was released in 1989, in Russian, French, Italian, and the original English. As well, a lesser study, The Only Living Witness by Stephen Michaud, was released in Russia in 1999. Both books contained that picture, as have numerous documentaries about Bundy that have been broadcast and rebroadcast and available on DVD and VHS worldwide for years. It's possible that they may not have known who Bundy was - it's also possible that they recognized the picture and downplayed any awareness of Bundy because it was just too 'easy'.

But if they knew about Bundy, shouldn't they just've said that they recognized him? And isn't being interested in serial killers mainly a western thing? Remember that according to the soviet authorities, there was only serial killers in the west. (Too bad for the vicitms of Andrei Chikatilo...) Shouldn't that put a dent in the public interest? Also, elderly women isn't usually interested in serial killers.

 

[desertgal]

But if they knew about Bundy, shouldn't they just've said that they recognized him?

Well, I would think so, too, but 'psychics' can be notoriously disingenuous.

And isn't being interested in serial killers mainly a western thing?

The popularity of the true crime genre has been on the rise worldwide since the 1990's. A great many of the more "classic" true crime books - In Cold Blood, Fatal Vision, Helter Skelter, The Onion Field, etc. - have been published around the globe.

Remember that according to the soviet authorities, there was only serial killers in the west. (Too bad for the vicitms of Andrei Chikatilo...) Shouldn't that put a dent in the public interest?

I don't think so - fans of true crime are generally dedicated to the genre, regardless of geography.

Also, elderly women isn't usually interested in serial killers.

Not at all. I work as a researcher for several reputable true crime authors, and I can say, with some assurance, that middle-aged to elderly women probably make up one of the largest demographics of true crime readers. When I've attended book signings with any of my authors (and there have been many), middle aged/elderly women make up the majority of the crowd-and buy the majority of the books. If you were to check out, for example, Ann Rule's website guestbook-which features running conversations between Rule and her readers-you'll see that most of those readers are middle aged/elderly women, and that can be said for several true crime blogs, as well.

Middle aged/elderly women are also among the highest number of volunteers for victims support groups, death penalty advocacy groups, and stand in large numbers in support of stricter punishments for sex offenders and child killers, etc.

I don't know why it is so, but middle aged/elderly women have a fascination with true crime.

 

[Earthborn]

It's possible that they may not have known who Bundy was - it's also possible that they recognized the picture and downplayed any awareness of Bundy because it was just too 'easy'.

I saw that documentary a few times on Discovery. I think it was pretty obvious they didn't know anything about him. If they did know they could have downplayed any awareness but still say stuff like him 'having had a troubled childhood' or 'getting in trouble with the law a few times' -- the sort of thing you would expect a psychic to pick up on! -- and score a few hits.

 

[desertgal]

I saw that documentary a few times on Discovery. I think it was pretty obvious they didn't know anything about him.

Fair enough. I didn't see it, so I'll accept that.

If they did know they could have downplayed any awareness but still say stuff like him 'having had a troubled childhood' or 'getting in trouble with the law a few times' -- the sort of thing you would expect a psychic to pick up on! -- and score a few hits.

True, but, given the notoriety of the Bundy case, he is, arguably, more recognizable to non Americans than, say, Gary Ridgway or John Wayne Gacy. Any 'hits' by a psychic would raise the question that they might have had prior knowledge, so a cagey psychic would avoid any observations about him altogether. That's just my opinion, though.

 

[Father Dagon]

desertgal, I stand corrected. But isn't there true crime and true crime? In the Swedish weekly magazines for homemaking women, there's often true crime stories. But of crimes decades, if not centuries, old. Compare with various fanzines or books that primarily caters to men 18-35, a distinctly different group. Not necessarily publications mainly about serial killers. But material about a serial killer isn't malplacé in a punk rock fanzine. Neither is Frank Talk from a Psychopath, an interwiew with the aspiring mass murderer, malplacé in Apocalypse Culture.

So AFAIK is the greatest difference between these two (heterogeneous) kinds of true crime readers is when the crimes took place.

Also remember that the photo was taken in the early 90's, so the true crime genre maybe hadn't caught on in Russia then.

 

[Bob Klase]

True, but, given the notoriety of the Bundy case, he is, arguably, more recognizable to non Americans than, say, Gary Ridgway or John Wayne Gacy. Any 'hits' by a psychic would raise the question that they might have had prior knowledge, so a cagey psychic would avoid any observations about him altogether. That's just my opinion, though.

That must have led to some fascinating conversations between cagey testers when the test was being planned:

Test coordinator #1: Okay, so what we'll do is give them a picture of a serial killer that almost anyone would recognize.

Test coordinator #2: But if they recognize him won't they get a lot of hits?

Test coordinator #1: Exactly. And when they get a lot of hits that will prove they had prior knowledge.

Test coordinator #2: But how can we prove they had prior knowledge.

Test coordinator #1: Easy- we just assume that they recognized the picture because he's so well known.

Test coordinator #2: Okay, but what if they out think us and don't get any hits.

Test coordinator #1: That will prove they are not psychic.

Test coordinator #2: Right. So what are we testing exactly?

Test coordinator #1: We're testing to see if they're psychic.

Test coordinator #2: And if they get a lot of hits it's proves they had prior knowledge and are not psychic, but if they don't get any hits that also proves they're not psychic.

Test coordinator #1: Exactly.

Test coordinator #2: Okay. Good plan, I guess. What would be a positive result.

Test coordinator #1: That's the best part- they can't get a positive result.

10 Year Old Child listening to conversation: Uh, why not show them a picture they're not likely to recognize?

Test coordinator #1: No- that's just what they'll be expecting.

 

[desertgal]

desertgal, I stand corrected. But isn't there true crime and true crime? In the Swedish weekly magazines for homemaking women, there's often true crime stories. But of crimes decades, if not centuries, old. Compare with various fanzines or books that primarily caters to men 18-35, a distinctly different group. Not necessarily publications mainly about serial killers. But material about a serial killer isn't malplacé in a punk rock fanzine. Neither is Frank Talk from a Psychopath, an interwiew with the aspiring mass murderer, malplacé in Apocalypse Culture.

So AFAIK is the greatest difference between these two (heterogeneous) kinds of true crime readers is when the crimes took place.

I can't speak for the demographics on true crime articles/fanzines, but only what I have witnessed in regards to true crime books.

I think it depends on the crime, and the criminal. I've noticed women express more of an interest in, say, Ted Bundy than in Jeffrey Dahmer-possibly because of the notable difference between the two men. Bundy was urbane, charming, intelligent, educated - all of which was such a marked contrast to his darker side that it made him a fascinating study. Women, for the most part, express less interest in grislier crimes, and crimes against men. I've also noticed they are less likely to buy true crime "pulp" books - they tend to gravitate more towards authors who offer extensive character and legal studies: Joseph Wambaugh, Vincent Bugliosi, Jerry Bledsoe, etc. And, of course, there are a number of reputable women authors who attract women readers - Rule, Diane Fanning, Kathryn Casey, etc.

I would say that the interest in historical versus modern crime, among women, is about equal. I've met gals who could recite chapter and verse of Ripper mythology, and many who had extensive knowledge about the Manson case, the Clutter murders, the Sam Shepard case.

Also remember that the photo was taken in the early 90's, so the true crime genre maybe hadn't caught on in Russia then.

Fair enough. I didn't know that - the only reference was "a few years ago". So, I agree, it is quite possible that they didn't know who Ted Bundy was.

 

[gdnp]

True, but, given the notoriety of the Bundy case, he is, arguably, more recognizable to non Americans than, say, Gary Ridgway or John Wayne Gacy. Any 'hits' by a psychic would raise the question that they might have had prior knowledge, so a cagey psychic would avoid any observations about him altogether. That's just my opinion, though.

No, a cagey psychic would play this up to the hilt, starting with an uneasy feeling about the person in the picture, then filling in more and more small seemingly random details that they knew about his life and finally coming to the conclusion that he was "surrounded by death", getting just enough wrong to not make it obvious. This is simply hot reading. When accused of having recognized the picture, she would obviously deny ever having heard of Bundy.

 

[Father Dagon]

But shouldn't a psychic be able to pick up vibes from *anything* related to a person? A photo of the persons feet, for instance.

 

[plumjam]

They're trying to locate his stash of porn.