No offense...

[progressoid]

Found this pic on a blog post about psychics.

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/fake-psychics-scam-billions/

I know, it’s redundant. All psychics are fake and a scam, but some are worse than others.

When most people think of psychics they conjure an image (see what I did there) of someone dressed in robes in a mystically decorated parlor who reads your palm or the tarot cards for $40. They are making a meager living giving people a bit of harmless entertainment. Some may actually think they have powers, some may know it’s all an act, but what’s the harm?

In truth, however, many psychics are predators who scam people out of hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. They prey on the vulnerable and the desperate and can ruin lives. This is not a benign industry.

A recent report from Toronto is just one of many – a steady stream with no expectation of ending. They report stories of people who have been victimized by psychics promising to turn around their fortunes, while parasitically bleeding them of as much money as possible.

...

[Capt.Rocky300]

1. Dr. Cooper knows of what he speaks.

[progressoid]

7. Sheldon and his brain, yeah!

[AlbertCat]

2. conjure an image (see what I did there) of someone dressed in robes

I sure don't.

I see Sylvia Browne (AAAYYYEEEEIIII!) and the equally despicable John Edward taking advantage of people when they are most vulnerable. I see Uri Geller....


and Dion Warwick commercials.

[progressoid]

8. Sylvia Browne.

Our library has about 30 of her books and a few of her audio books.

[Capt.Rocky300]

10. My wife had a coworker who used to get personal readings......

from her every couple years. The fleecer and the fleeced.

[frogmarch]

3. And you mean that in

the nicest way possible.

[Major Nikon]

4. Substitute preachers for psychics and the meaning is the same

[Cartoonist]

5. Psychic privilege

Why is it ok to ridicule psychics but not religion? Why must religion be accorded respect when it's just a variation of the same scam?

Christianity predicts life after death without any proof.

[Major Nikon]

6. Just do what I say and you get an eternity in paradise, conveniently unverifiable

Send $10 to the Church of the Sacred Bleeding Heart of Jesus located somewhere in Los Angeles, California.

[awoke_in_2003]

9. The difference?

The amount of property owned.

[onager]

11. "I Was One of America's Top Psychics - And Like All of Them, A Complete Fraud"

Some fascinating excerpts from Mark Edwards' 2012 book, "Psychic Blues: Confessions of a Conflicted Medium:"

Twenty-five years of working the psychic streets has taught me many truths, for better or worse. Sure, I have a pile of testimonial letters. Yes, I can see the future, given the right perspective and information, and of course I can read the paw of your pet poodle. I may indeed have a great gift, but it's the gift of gab mixed with a healthy dose of imagination and nerve that has allowed me to be a psychic professionally and to now write about it.

http://www.alternet.org/belief/i-was-one-americas-top-psychics-and-all-them-complete-fraud

While there, you might enjoy perusing the web site of Edward's publisher, Feral House. "High-quality books on controversial topics." If you're looking for a book of vintage crime scene photos or a history of the American skinhead movement, Feral House is the place. I have no connection with them, other than being a happy customer:

http://feralhouse.com/

[progressoid]

12. Oh man, I need some disposable income.

Feral House has a bunch of books I would love to have! Maybe I'll drop some hints to family members for my birthday.

Thanks for that link.