Cold Reading, Talking to the Dead


There are people, known as mediums, who claim to be able to communicate with the dead. They say that they can talk with the spirits and relay for us. This is not new; mediums were in business 100 years ago and earlier. The technology changes but the basic idea doesn't. Highly recommended: The Skeptical Inquirer for March and April 2003, "William S. Marrriott's Gambols with the Ghosts." Read about a magician exposing phoney mediums nearly 100 years ago. The story is a great read.

From the Skeptical Inquirer: South Park TV Satire Skewers John Edward Psychic Pretensions

Video: South Park Episode 615 - from the South Park Scriptorium

Video: Crossing Over with John Edward

Analyzing a Medium

Video: James Randi from "The Search for the Chimera" SMU Collegium da Vinci talk (1:34:30)

Video: MSNBC Investigates -- John Edward, Gary Schwartz, George Anderson

Video: Sylvia Browne on Larry King's Show

Sylvia Browne Ooooopsie!

Video: Kathlyn Rhea

Video: Sonya Fitzpatrick, the Pet Psychic (with guest John Edward!)

John Stossel - One of the Exceptions

Some Resources

CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) Publishes the Skeptical Inquirer, an EXCELLENT magazine containing articles that investigate all kinds of pseudo-science. They have an excellent on-line site. Here are some references.

Here are some more varied references.

In addition to the above web sites, also look at The Skeptical inquirer for September and October 2003. Read the article "They See Dead People - Or Do They?" for a description of a first-hand investigation of John Edward. (Now in our course pack!)

Here's that article.