And just to add, given any explanation from JE how can we have any confidence that he is not intentionally or unintentionally construing it to be self-serving? We simply can't.
Again, when we have trouble "hearing" something, its very much due to physical noise or constraints. Since the assumption would be that spirit communication is somehow non-physical or telepathic or some other such explanation, then there would be no such physical noise and impedments....So how is it that mentally, JE can "mishear" something?
We too easily fall into the trap of taking common everyday impediments to communication and allowing them to be applied to a completely unknown, unmeasurable, and as of yet undiscovered form of communication that is taking place in someones head.
How are we justified in thinking the two share any similiarties whatsoever.
Voidx, if for argument's sake we accept the fact that some people have this ability, we, as non-mediums, cannot begin to understand its nature. We either accept the explanations provided by those who claim they are communicating this way, or we don't. You're right. We cannot really know. JE has attempted to use analogies to help us to understand the process.
You ask, and it's a reasonable question, how can JE "mishear" something that he "hears" in his head? I'll concede that it's very difficult to imagine such a thing. JE claims that oftentimes it's almost like "hearing" a voice coming through a weak radio station with a lot of static. But again, since it is not physical hearing, yet on the other hand, it's not precisely a thought either, I can understand how it would be difficult for a medium to explain it to someone who has not experienced it for themselves. Exactly what rules apply in a non-physical world?
Can we say with any assurance that JE is for real? That he is actually communicating with the consciousness of people who have died? I guess we can't ever really know this for a fact. I do know that he is definitely doing something other than cold-reading. If I came across a mentalist who was able to replicate what I've seen JE do over the years, I wouldn't be in the believers' camp, but so far, I haven't found such a person.