John Edward - psychic or what?

[ynot]

Because I listened to it and made the early posts when the computer was still working. Since I didn't *transcribe* it, I can't be absolutely positive at this time, and will have to wait until I receive the laptop back from the repair people, which will take about a week.

I am not too close to anyone. That would imply that I care about John Edward, or think that he is really a psychic. I don't, and I don't. I simply want to convey the words with accuracy.

Hope your “computer ill” doesn’t turn in to “files Lost“.

 

[Ron_Tomkins]

There was actually a very well-circulated clip of Penn on a talk show telling the host that Criss Angel does 'I Dream of Jeannie' magic - meaning that his magic is simply camera tricks. Seems like the ultimate easy way.

Interesting. Well, the quote I posted was from a radio show where Penn interviewed Criss. And I also remember a show where Penn said, right before starting the performance, "This one`s for you, Criss Angel!" in a tone that suggested he didn`t feel a lot of sympathy for him. Could it be Penn is a bit of a... hypocrite?

 

[Ron_Tomkins]

Are you saying you wanna spank the ass?

 

[ynot]

Interesting. Well, the quote I posted was from a radio show where Penn interviewed Criss. And I also remember a show where Penn said, right before starting the performance, "This one`s for you, Criss Angel!" in a tone that suggested he didn`t feel a lot of sympathy for him. Could it be Penn is a bit of a... hypocrite?

Some modern magicians like Criss Angel and Derren Brown have gained much of their success by not being overly honest about their performances.

 

[jadebox]

I am not too close to anyone. That would imply that I care about John Edward, or think that he is really a psychic. I don't, and I don't.

The suggestion is that you were "too close" to this trick, not to a person.

You're thinking the trick is more amazing than it really was because you had met "Joshua" earlier. If you hadn't met him, you probably wouldn't have thought that this part of Edward's show was interesting enough to ask about.

I don't believe that Edward's did anything special during this performance that he doesn't do at other times. I still think a simple cold reading is enough of an explanation, but he may have been fed information. Either way, he made it appear that he psychically devined something. That's what he does all the time.

-- Roger

 

[Azrael 5]

Actually, of all the assumptions needed that particular one would seem the least risky to me. I don't know any male over the age of 18 who would not have a DL in their wallet on their person if out in public. Is this an American thing?

I think it must be.

 

[ynot]

I simply want to convey the words with accuracy.

I would have expected that a person that ran the JREF MDC for three years and has spent their time and money pursuing cheats etc would have done that from the beginning.

Can we take anything from the OP as being factual and representative of actual events?

When you get your computer fixed please provide an actual transcript of the “Liam” reading.

 

[Skeptical Greg]

I can't clarify it at the moment. My laptop (where the file is stored) took ill and is currently being repaired.

Uh, huh.. The computer version of the old " The dog ate my homework.. " dodge ..

 

[RemieV]

The suggestion is that you were "too close" to this trick, not to a person.

You're thinking the trick is more amazing than it really was because you had met "Joshua" earlier. If you hadn't met him, you probably wouldn't have thought that this part of Edward's show was interesting enough to ask about.

I don't believe that Edward's did anything special during this performance that he doesn't do at other times. I still think a simple cold reading is enough of an explanation, but he may have been fed information. Either way, he made it appear that he psychically devined something. That's what he does all the time.

-- Roger

For the love of all things holy - my point was not that the trick was amazing, but that it was the only reading he gave that had a solid, verifiable FACT within it, hence my use of it as an example.

 

[RemieV]

I would have expected that a person that ran the JREF MDC for three years and has spent their time and money pursuing cheats etc would have done that from the beginning.

Can we take anything from the OP as being factual and representative of actual events?

When you get your computer fixed please provide an actual transcript of the “Liam” reading.

I DID. I listened to the recording and put a summary in the OP. I don't expect to remember every word, therefore I am unwilling to state exactly how it was AGAIN without LISTENING to it again.

 

[Dr. Keith]

I DID. I listened to the recording and put a summary in the OP. I don't expect to remember every word, therefore I am unwilling to state exactly how it was AGAIN without LISTENING to it again.

Reeeeally, this is sounding fishy . . . and where exactly did you take that "hard drive" to be "repaired" this time?

[Confidential to ynot: I think you're on to something and she is about to break! Don't let up now!!11!!1!]

 

[Skeptical Greg]

For the love of all things holy - my point was not that the trick was amazing, but that it was the only reading he gave that had a solid, verifiable FACT within it, hence my use of it as an example.

I think there is clue there somewhere ...

 

[RemieV]

Reeeeally, this is sounding fishy . . . and where exactly did you take that "hard drive" to be "repaired" this time?

[Confidential to ynot: I think you're on to something and she is about to break! Don't let up now!!11!!1!]

Hah

 

[ynot]

Reeeeally, this is sounding fishy . . . and where exactly did you take that "hard drive" to be "repaired" this time?

[Confidential to ynot: I think you're on to something and she is about to break! Don't let up now!!11!!1!]

I have only been asking questions other have also asked. No "breaking" intended or required, just understanding.

 

[Resume]

I think there is clue there somewhere ...

A really big one.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Must say I’m somewhat disappointed by this reply as it’s an important point that you should be able to easily remember. Your OP clearly said it was “someone else at the table” that first said “Liam”. Why do you now doubt your own words?

I agree. RemieV. I don;t understand why you have not clarified the question that has been asked a number of times and which is really making everyone confused about what may have happened. In the OP you said:

Edward again said that he had gotten the name 'Joshua', and then said that there was something weird about it, because he had the sensation that the name was LIAM's.

Did you mean that Edward said that

1. he was getting the sensation that the man's name was "Liam"
("I'm getting the name Joshua, but there is something weird about it because I'm getting the sensation that you name is Liam.")

or

2. he was getting the sensation that the man's name was "Joshua"
("I'm getting the name Joshua, but there is something weird about it because I'm getting that is your name.")

I would think you know what you meant to say and could clarify the point. It makes a very big difference in the nature of the trick.

(I don’t see how you could mean option number 1 because there wouldn’t be anything “weird about” a person with a different name standing up when the name Joshua is called. In fact that is generally what is expected that people do at a JE show.)

 

[ynot]

I think so, but then again there are myriad ways to pull this trick off.

I’m not up on the technology but is it possible with a modern directional microphone that someone from a reasonable distance could have heard conversations at individual tables? As you say, the possibilities for cheating are myriad.

 

[ynot]

From the OP . . .

So, important facts garnered there:
1) I know that Joshua introduced himself as Liam, because that is how he introduced himself to me. He never intimated in any way that it was his middle name.

What he told you in a relatively short discussion has no bearing on what he may have told others before or later. We don’t know what he said to the people at his table. He may very well have said “Liam” was his second name and “Joshua” was his first.

2) Edward pulled, out of thin air, not only the guy's real name, but also the fact that the man wasn't using his real name.

Edward merely pulled a reasonably common name out of the air. He only “got” the name when a person raised his hand. I would like to know what the real “Joshua” name is to see if it’s a name that would commonly be shortened or nicknamed. Not introducing himself as "Joshua" could have meant introducing himself as "Josh". I can’t think of any reason why you shouldn’t provide this name and you shouldn’t need to refer to the recording to know it. Can you do this please?

 

[Resume]

I’m not up on the technology but is it possible with a modern directional microphone that someone from a reasonable distance could have heard conversations at individual tables. As you say, the possibilities for cheating are myriad.

I'd wager that if ever discovered, the method used would turn out to be pedestrian and dissapointing.

 

[ynot]

I'd wager that if ever discovered, the method used would turn out to be pedestrian and dissapointing.

That’s invariably the case. The letter in the envelope trick in the Derren Brown video posted earlier is a good example of the unbelievable having an unbelievably simply method.