MAKE MONEY TELLING STUPID PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, SRSLY.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

That's sloppy of you.  Since you often model using the sliding scale of Truth, you need to clarify where on that scale you're putting you statements.

Sure:

All Psychic Claims Are True <------1------------------------2--------------------3----------------------> No Psychic Claims Are True

1. Some psychic claims are actual psychic powers
2. 'Psychic powers' are often a generic label that cover interesting phenomena which we don't yet understand but will eventually find a rational explanation for (even if its something weird like morphogenetic fields)
3. 'Psychic Powers' are often a result of confirmation bias and other psychological tricks that the 'psychic' may not even realize they're doing.


Something like that... better?

[Bella]

Hi, everybody! I'm back......at least for the moment.

This thread was irresistible.


For exactly 10 years this month, I've been making my living reading tarot cards via a site called keen.com Prior to that, I worked as crisis counselor and victim advocate. The sole reason I switched to reading cards is $$$. I was a single mom making hardly enough money to get by until the switch to reading cards quadrupled my formerly pathetic income.

Do I tell people what they want to hear? Not unless it's really what I see in the cards.
Do I practice cold reading?  No. I have no objection to someone doing cold readings, but it's no way to build a solid base of returning customers.
Do I refer my callers to more traditional sources of help? All the time.
Do I feel bad about charging a shitload of money? Nope.

My conscience bothered me a little until I realized that what the people want is a friendly stranger they can bare their souls to without having to face any repercussions in real life - just like Alty said. They don't want to be told they're spending too much money or calling too often or becoming dependent on their psychic.  

Bella,

Who sleeps on that bed of money next to the Love Stoat.

Bella, while you may be thinking you aren't telling people anything but what the cards tell you, and that you're not doing cold reading, I disagree.

Having researched and tried all different sorts of divination techniques and having a keen interest in psychic abilities and how things can *seem* psychic but are not (this is me doing some "psychic" entertainment http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodRevFelix#p/a/u/1/7OSDTotEHIQ) and knowing that to most people can't tell the difference between "genuine" psychics and charlatans like myself, I believe that pretty much all diviners who think they're legit have just convinced themselves that what they are doing is real, but really, you're just using cold reading and feeding the people what they want to hear, even if you think you're not.

I've met a few 'psychics' in my time who claim not to use cold reading, yet when I get them to show me what they can do, it all amounts to cold reading, they just don't "label" it as such in their minds.
The only difference between what I do (or any professional mentalist) and what they do is, I can get better results then them because I actually understand the process, where as they are just just really guessing and using barnum statements without knowing what constitutes as a barnum statement.

Please though, don't get me wrong, while I do have my doubts as to your "authenticity", it's interesting to see what one such as yourself would have to say about the practice, and I heartily encourage such mindfuckery.

Who knows, maybe there really is such a thing as psychic ability. I know your cat believes in it, Bella

Hell yeah, my cat believes in it.  He better to if he wants the steady supply of kitty crunchies to continue. 

NP, Lysergic. We can agree to disagree on this particular matter.  You believe I'm practicing cold reading, while I believe I'm applying my 17 years experience as a counselor to the interpretation of Jungian archetypes as expressed by the tarot cards in order to help the caller sort things out for themselves.

In fact, I used tarot cards as a therapy tool, long before moving into the reading business.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

Hi, everybody! I'm back......at least for the moment.

This thread was irresistible.


For exactly 10 years this month, I've been making my living reading tarot cards via a site called keen.com Prior to that, I worked as crisis counselor and victim advocate. The sole reason I switched to reading cards is $$$. I was a single mom making hardly enough money to get by until the switch to reading cards quadrupled my formerly pathetic income.

Do I tell people what they want to hear? Not unless it's really what I see in the cards.
Do I practice cold reading?  No. I have no objection to someone doing cold readings, but it's no way to build a solid base of returning customers.
Do I refer my callers to more traditional sources of help? All the time.
Do I feel bad about charging a shitload of money? Nope.

My conscience bothered me a little until I realized that what the people want is a friendly stranger they can bare their souls to without having to face any repercussions in real life - just like Alty said. They don't want to be told they're spending too much money or calling too often or becoming dependent on their psychic.  

Bella,

Who sleeps on that bed of money next to the Love Stoat.

Bella, while you may be thinking you aren't telling people anything but what the cards tell you, and that you're not doing cold reading, I disagree.

Having researched and tried all different sorts of divination techniques and having a keen interest in psychic abilities and how things can *seem* psychic but are not (this is me doing some "psychic" entertainment http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodRevFelix#p/a/u/1/7OSDTotEHIQ) and knowing that to most people can't tell the difference between "genuine" psychics and charlatans like myself, I believe that pretty much all diviners who think they're legit have just convinced themselves that what they are doing is real, but really, you're just using cold reading and feeding the people what they want to hear, even if you think you're not.

I've met a few 'psychics' in my time who claim not to use cold reading, yet when I get them to show me what they can do, it all amounts to cold reading, they just don't "label" it as such in their minds.
The only difference between what I do (or any professional mentalist) and what they do is, I can get better results then them because I actually understand the process, where as they are just just really guessing and using barnum statements without knowing what constitutes as a barnum statement.

Please though, don't get me wrong, while I do have my doubts as to your "authenticity", it's interesting to see what one such as yourself would have to say about the practice, and I heartily encourage such mindfuckery.

Who knows, maybe there really is such a thing as psychic ability. I know your cat believes in it, Bella

Hell yeah, my cat believes in it.  He better to if he wants the steady supply of kitty crunchies to continue. 

NP, Lysergic. We can agree to disagree on this particular matter.  You believe I'm practicing cold reading, while I believe I'm applying my 17 years experience as a counselor to the interpretation of Jungian archetypes as expressed by the tarot cards in order to help the caller sort things out for themselves.

In fact, I used tarot cards as a therapy tool, long before moving into the reading business.

So then its 'what your experience as a counselor and interpreter of archetypes' tells you... not what the cards tell you, eh Bella?

[Bella]

Hi, everybody! I'm back......at least for the moment.

This thread was irresistible.


For exactly 10 years this month, I've been making my living reading tarot cards via a site called keen.com Prior to that, I worked as crisis counselor and victim advocate. The sole reason I switched to reading cards is $$$. I was a single mom making hardly enough money to get by until the switch to reading cards quadrupled my formerly pathetic income.

Do I tell people what they want to hear? Not unless it's really what I see in the cards.
Do I practice cold reading?  No. I have no objection to someone doing cold readings, but it's no way to build a solid base of returning customers.
Do I refer my callers to more traditional sources of help? All the time.
Do I feel bad about charging a shitload of money? Nope.

My conscience bothered me a little until I realized that what the people want is a friendly stranger they can bare their souls to without having to face any repercussions in real life - just like Alty said. They don't want to be told they're spending too much money or calling too often or becoming dependent on their psychic.  

Bella,

Who sleeps on that bed of money next to the Love Stoat.

Bella, while you may be thinking you aren't telling people anything but what the cards tell you, and that you're not doing cold reading, I disagree.

Having researched and tried all different sorts of divination techniques and having a keen interest in psychic abilities and how things can *seem* psychic but are not (this is me doing some "psychic" entertainment http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodRevFelix#p/a/u/1/7OSDTotEHIQ) and knowing that to most people can't tell the difference between "genuine" psychics and charlatans like myself, I believe that pretty much all diviners who think they're legit have just convinced themselves that what they are doing is real, but really, you're just using cold reading and feeding the people what they want to hear, even if you think you're not.

I've met a few 'psychics' in my time who claim not to use cold reading, yet when I get them to show me what they can do, it all amounts to cold reading, they just don't "label" it as such in their minds.
The only difference between what I do (or any professional mentalist) and what they do is, I can get better results then them because I actually understand the process, where as they are just just really guessing and using barnum statements without knowing what constitutes as a barnum statement.

Please though, don't get me wrong, while I do have my doubts as to your "authenticity", it's interesting to see what one such as yourself would have to say about the practice, and I heartily encourage such mindfuckery.

Who knows, maybe there really is such a thing as psychic ability. I know your cat believes in it, Bella

Hell yeah, my cat believes in it.  He better to if he wants the steady supply of kitty crunchies to continue. 

NP, Lysergic. We can agree to disagree on this particular matter.  You believe I'm practicing cold reading, while I believe I'm applying my 17 years experience as a counselor to the interpretation of Jungian archetypes as expressed by the tarot cards in order to help the caller sort things out for themselves.

In fact, I used tarot cards as a therapy tool, long before moving into the reading business.

So then its 'what your experience as a counselor and interpreter of archetypes' tells you... not what the cards tell you, eh Bella?

Pretty much, although the cards are the focal point I use most often.

That and my tummy.......which tells I'm hungry and it's time to go eat Chinese food!

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

Hi, everybody! I'm back......at least for the moment.

This thread was irresistible.


For exactly 10 years this month, I've been making my living reading tarot cards via a site called keen.com Prior to that, I worked as crisis counselor and victim advocate. The sole reason I switched to reading cards is $$$. I was a single mom making hardly enough money to get by until the switch to reading cards quadrupled my formerly pathetic income.

Do I tell people what they want to hear? Not unless it's really what I see in the cards.
Do I practice cold reading?  No. I have no objection to someone doing cold readings, but it's no way to build a solid base of returning customers.
Do I refer my callers to more traditional sources of help? All the time.
Do I feel bad about charging a shitload of money? Nope.

My conscience bothered me a little until I realized that what the people want is a friendly stranger they can bare their souls to without having to face any repercussions in real life - just like Alty said. They don't want to be told they're spending too much money or calling too often or becoming dependent on their psychic.  

Bella,

Who sleeps on that bed of money next to the Love Stoat.

Bella, while you may be thinking you aren't telling people anything but what the cards tell you, and that you're not doing cold reading, I disagree.

Having researched and tried all different sorts of divination techniques and having a keen interest in psychic abilities and how things can *seem* psychic but are not (this is me doing some "psychic" entertainment http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodRevFelix#p/a/u/1/7OSDTotEHIQ) and knowing that to most people can't tell the difference between "genuine" psychics and charlatans like myself, I believe that pretty much all diviners who think they're legit have just convinced themselves that what they are doing is real, but really, you're just using cold reading and feeding the people what they want to hear, even if you think you're not.

I've met a few 'psychics' in my time who claim not to use cold reading, yet when I get them to show me what they can do, it all amounts to cold reading, they just don't "label" it as such in their minds.
The only difference between what I do (or any professional mentalist) and what they do is, I can get better results then them because I actually understand the process, where as they are just just really guessing and using barnum statements without knowing what constitutes as a barnum statement.

Please though, don't get me wrong, while I do have my doubts as to your "authenticity", it's interesting to see what one such as yourself would have to say about the practice, and I heartily encourage such mindfuckery.

Who knows, maybe there really is such a thing as psychic ability. I know your cat believes in it, Bella

Hell yeah, my cat believes in it.  He better to if he wants the steady supply of kitty crunchies to continue. 

NP, Lysergic. We can agree to disagree on this particular matter.  You believe I'm practicing cold reading, while I believe I'm applying my 17 years experience as a counselor to the interpretation of Jungian archetypes as expressed by the tarot cards in order to help the caller sort things out for themselves.

In fact, I used tarot cards as a therapy tool, long before moving into the reading business.

So then its 'what your experience as a counselor and interpreter of archetypes' tells you... not what the cards tell you, eh Bella?

Pretty much, although the cards are the focal point I use most often.

That and my tummy.......which tells I'm hungry and it's time to go eat Chinese food!

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

At least come up with some creative new stuff... I hate reruns.

[Lies]

Hi, everybody! I'm back......at least for the moment.

This thread was irresistible.


For exactly 10 years this month, I've been making my living reading tarot cards via a site called keen.com Prior to that, I worked as crisis counselor and victim advocate. The sole reason I switched to reading cards is $$$. I was a single mom making hardly enough money to get by until the switch to reading cards quadrupled my formerly pathetic income.

Do I tell people what they want to hear? Not unless it's really what I see in the cards.
Do I practice cold reading?  No. I have no objection to someone doing cold readings, but it's no way to build a solid base of returning customers.
Do I refer my callers to more traditional sources of help? All the time.
Do I feel bad about charging a shitload of money? Nope.

My conscience bothered me a little until I realized that what the people want is a friendly stranger they can bare their souls to without having to face any repercussions in real life - just like Alty said. They don't want to be told they're spending too much money or calling too often or becoming dependent on their psychic.  

Bella,

Who sleeps on that bed of money next to the Love Stoat.

Bella, while you may be thinking you aren't telling people anything but what the cards tell you, and that you're not doing cold reading, I disagree.

Having researched and tried all different sorts of divination techniques and having a keen interest in psychic abilities and how things can *seem* psychic but are not (this is me doing some "psychic" entertainment http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodRevFelix#p/a/u/1/7OSDTotEHIQ) and knowing that to most people can't tell the difference between "genuine" psychics and charlatans like myself, I believe that pretty much all diviners who think they're legit have just convinced themselves that what they are doing is real, but really, you're just using cold reading and feeding the people what they want to hear, even if you think you're not.

I've met a few 'psychics' in my time who claim not to use cold reading, yet when I get them to show me what they can do, it all amounts to cold reading, they just don't "label" it as such in their minds.
The only difference between what I do (or any professional mentalist) and what they do is, I can get better results then them because I actually understand the process, where as they are just just really guessing and using barnum statements without knowing what constitutes as a barnum statement.

Please though, don't get me wrong, while I do have my doubts as to your "authenticity", it's interesting to see what one such as yourself would have to say about the practice, and I heartily encourage such mindfuckery.

Who knows, maybe there really is such a thing as psychic ability. I know your cat believes in it, Bella

This is possibly the most pompous and insulting post I have ever read on this forum.

Hey, it's not *that* insulting.

I have a certain view/understanding of all sorts of divining methods, I grew up with a pack of rider waite tarot cards, I've sold crystals and read books on feng shui.
I'm just saying that I'm thinking here, I'm not trying to be insulting.

If I wanted to be insulting, I could have tried much harder, you know.

Sometimes I wonder if you're just out to *get* me hoops.

[Bella]

There's no ethical problem with placebos unless it is administered as a cure, or otherwise prevents people from seeking medical help for a serious medical issue. I highly doubt that people call psychics for any sort of medical advice.

Incredibly enough, people call for medical advice all the time, Net.  I'm always happy to tell them it's against the law for me to practice medicine without a license and refer them to their doctor. Same with the folks who want legal, financial, or political advice.

[Lies]

Hi, everybody! I'm back......at least for the moment.

This thread was irresistible.


For exactly 10 years this month, I've been making my living reading tarot cards via a site called keen.com Prior to that, I worked as crisis counselor and victim advocate. The sole reason I switched to reading cards is $$$. I was a single mom making hardly enough money to get by until the switch to reading cards quadrupled my formerly pathetic income.

Do I tell people what they want to hear? Not unless it's really what I see in the cards.
Do I practice cold reading?  No. I have no objection to someone doing cold readings, but it's no way to build a solid base of returning customers.
Do I refer my callers to more traditional sources of help? All the time.
Do I feel bad about charging a shitload of money? Nope.

My conscience bothered me a little until I realized that what the people want is a friendly stranger they can bare their souls to without having to face any repercussions in real life - just like Alty said. They don't want to be told they're spending too much money or calling too often or becoming dependent on their psychic.  

Bella,

Who sleeps on that bed of money next to the Love Stoat.

Bella, while you may be thinking you aren't telling people anything but what the cards tell you, and that you're not doing cold reading, I disagree.

Having researched and tried all different sorts of divination techniques and having a keen interest in psychic abilities and how things can *seem* psychic but are not (this is me doing some "psychic" entertainment http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodRevFelix#p/a/u/1/7OSDTotEHIQ) and knowing that to most people can't tell the difference between "genuine" psychics and charlatans like myself, I believe that pretty much all diviners who think they're legit have just convinced themselves that what they are doing is real, but really, you're just using cold reading and feeding the people what they want to hear, even if you think you're not.

I've met a few 'psychics' in my time who claim not to use cold reading, yet when I get them to show me what they can do, it all amounts to cold reading, they just don't "label" it as such in their minds.
The only difference between what I do (or any professional mentalist) and what they do is, I can get better results then them because I actually understand the process, where as they are just just really guessing and using barnum statements without knowing what constitutes as a barnum statement.

Please though, don't get me wrong, while I do have my doubts as to your "authenticity", it's interesting to see what one such as yourself would have to say about the practice, and I heartily encourage such mindfuckery.

Who knows, maybe there really is such a thing as psychic ability. I know your cat believes in it, Bella

Hell yeah, my cat believes in it.  He better to if he wants the steady supply of kitty crunchies to continue. 

NP, Lysergic. We can agree to disagree on this particular matter.  You believe I'm practicing cold reading, while I believe I'm applying my 17 years experience as a counselor to the interpretation of Jungian archetypes as expressed by the tarot cards in order to help the caller sort things out for themselves.

In fact, I used tarot cards as a therapy tool, long before moving into the reading business.

That's fair enough.

Please know, I'm not so much having a go at you as I am saying what I've come to believe in my experience.

As someone who's interested in such areas of things and how I can exploit such "tools" to my profit, what you have to say is still very valuable to me, regardless of how much I "believe" it.

Oh yeah, you should really fix that broken drawer in your house, and get rid of that old calendar.

And I really love that gold necklace you have.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

OK Rat. I'll save it for burrying jon in spam when he tries to communicate anything of intent.

Oh feel free to pile on, just change it up a bit, add some WOMP or a new diatribe (nice screed though I must say)...  

[Rococo Modem Basilisk]

OK Rat. I'll save it for burrying jon in spam when he tries to communicate anything of intent.

Oh feel free to pile on, just change it up a bit, add some WOMP or a new diatribe (nice screed though I must say)...  

An automatic polemic generator might come in handy. Want one?

[Lies]

Oh dear, looks like this thread has gone off the rails.

Oh well.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'd also like to point out that I use Tarot cards myself and don't have ANY problem with the ethics of sincere psychics and Tarot card readers. What I have a problem with is people who go into such a profession with insincerity, chortling and rubbing their hands together at the idea of fleecing the unwary... ie. the "stupid", as Lysergic calls them... with full knowledge that they are using shyster cold-reading techniques. That's why the title (and premise) of this thread rubs me the wrong way.

[Lies]

I'd also like to point out that I use Tarot cards myself and don't have ANY problem with the ethics of sincere psychics and Tarot card readers. What I have a problem with is people who go into such a profession with insincerity, chortling and rubbing their hands together at the idea of fleecing the unwary... ie. the "stupid", as Lysergic calls them... with full knowledge that they are using shyster cold-reading techniques. That's why the title (and premise) of this thread rubs me the wrong way.

...

Wow Nigel, there are so many things wrong with what you just said, my heads about to explode.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'd also like to point out that I use Tarot cards myself and don't have ANY problem with the ethics of sincere psychics and Tarot card readers. What I have a problem with is people who go into such a profession with insincerity, chortling and rubbing their hands together at the idea of fleecing the unwary... ie. the "stupid", as Lysergic calls them... with full knowledge that they are using shyster cold-reading techniques. That's why the title (and premise) of this thread rubs me the wrong way.

...

Wow Nigel, there are so many things wrong with what you just said, my heads about to explode.

Are you capable of understanding the difference between a holy man who builds a congregation around his own belief that he has been granted sacred knowledge by God Himself, and a cult leader who claims to believe they have been granted sacred knowledge to build a congregation for personal gain?

Both may be wrong, but only one is unethical, by virtue of their insincerity.