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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts 
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Richard Webster offers a lot of resources for magicians and mentalists such as "Entertaining Mentalism" and "Cold Reading For Magicians". Like most mentalism resources, they are designed to help performers create a piece of psychic entertainment or theatre.
However, Webster also offers resources which are theatrically minded. He teachers people how to pretend to be a psychic and perform actual readings with resources such as "Home Psychic Parties For Fun And Profit" and "The Mail Order Psychic" and "The Astral Travel Workshop" In Australia, providing psychic readings of this kind which you knew to be an illusion can get you charged with fraud. In fact, Webster's description of "The Mail Order Psychic" is very similar to Simon Lovell's description of psychic scams in "How To Cheat At Anything." Is this type of service different from a performance of mentalism? Is it ethically questionable to pretend to have powers you do not outside of the theatre environment? Or is a private psychic reading just another 'show' and people should be able to figure out it it's fake? Are these sorts of psychic readings a tax on stupidity? |
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gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2044 Posts
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The key here is the phrase in question, "pretending to have powers". I do believe that is unethical. It is indeed a lie. However, I also believe that by saying, "I read a lot of books and watch DVD's on psychology, persuasion, body language, memory techniques, and readings" (which is what I say), is in itself a subtle disclaimer, and yet doesn't tip anything. After all, if I had "powers", I would need to read Harry Lorayne or watch Richard Osterlind! Bottom line: Don't claim you're something you're not. But maintain an air of mystery. Why? It's entertaining.
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-05-26 19:46, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: You don't like the answers you got on one thread and now you start this. You want a cat to agree with you? Ring up Criss Angel. -Jim Callahan Paranormalist
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts
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It is evident that Mr. Johnson has not read any of Mr. Webster's books, he does not understand what he read if he did, or he just enjoys speaking out of his hat and stirring up trouble. I vote for the latter as it happens too often to be intellectual defect.
For a self professed "conman" such as Nicholas J. Johnson to come here and try to pass himself off as the ethical right, is insulting to us, and those whom he singles out. And in typical form, he posts then leaves. Tony Iacoviello |
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yachanin Inner circle Cleveland, OH 2109 Posts
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Those who "have the power" should call Randi and collect his check. I wonder why they don't? For those of you
do, could you please explain why you have not? Regards, Steve
"Impossible? Your audience will think so..." TM
Thought Association Card Triangulation Word Search Detective Christmas Eve Sights - Start A Family Tradition |
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18790 Posts
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Cuz his challenge is RIGGED?
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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shots Loyal user Kissimmee, FL 256 Posts
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I use Tarot cards for many different effects. I do some effects where it may seem that I am doing a reading, such as the Witche's Almanac, and the storyline of the effect does infer that there is some sort of psychic or occult event occuring. I do not dissude, or persude the spectator, as to how the effect is accomplished. Some people !@#ume it is a trick, some that it is a psychological effect, and I'm sure there are a few people who actually !@#ume that I have some sort of unusual ability. Well, I do...sometimes I actually manage to entertain and cause people to spend a few minutes contemplating the possibility of something outside the realm of what they consider "normal" into something that some would call "paranormal." I don't believe I need any disclaimers, I am just myself being myself.
Magic in the Shadows
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-05-26 20:18, yachanin wrote: Another one with "power". Please, get a grip. We all have abilities, we have all had expereinces that fall out side of conventional logic and knowledge. As for the Randi challenge, personally, I don't care to play children's games. Nor do I care to support his personal agenda (whatever it may be). Question: Who are "you" that I should have to explain my personal feelings to? Step up and tell me why, if your reason is good enough and your logic is sound, you may win the prize. Tony Iacoviello |
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Dr Spektor Inner circle Carcanis 9928 Posts
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I have the power of human potential. With that power, one can harness the power of the atom or heal a shattered mind.
Beware!
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-05-26 20:49, Dr Spektor wrote: Or even bake a nice apple pie. Ah, pie. Summer must be near! |
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Dr Spektor Inner circle Carcanis 9928 Posts
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We are on to pie already? The thread hasn't even gotten to 450 degrees yet.
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts
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My son did not want a cake.
I'm improvising. 
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Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts
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Quote:
In Australia, providing psychic readings of this kind which you knew to be an illusion can get you charged with fraud. As an avid reader of news I haven't come across this law or heard of any prosecutions. There were laws against fortune telling included in the old vagrancy acts but those were mainly dispensed with in the 1970's and 80's. There are at least half a dozen people openly advertising psychic readings here in Cairns - a city of only about 100,000 people. Destiny |
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yachanin Inner circle Cleveland, OH 2109 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-05-26 20:46, Tony Iacoviello wrote: Hi Tony, I did not single you or any one out as someone with "the power." It was an open question to those who claim they have such powers. Do you have real psychic powers? I am simply curious to know why, if someone does have "the power," they do not claim Randi's check. Slim King says, "Cuz his challenge is RIGGED?" I hope he will explain in what way(s) it is rigged. I do not know the specifics of his challenge. I've only heard he will give his check to anyone who can, under controlled conditions, demonstrate real psychic abilities. Perhaps my curiosity is insufficient to get an answer. That is fine, too. Regards, Steve
"Impossible? Your audience will think so..." TM
Thought Association Card Triangulation Word Search Detective Christmas Eve Sights - Start A Family Tradition |
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts
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You want to talk ethics: I wore shorts outside today. The first time in 24 years. Very unethical, although it felt good, I live close to an international airport, and the ultra-white glow from my legs resulted in a near collision and rerouting of half the days air traffic.
It's a good think I kept my shirt on.
Tony "Whitelegs" Iacoviello Quote:
Hi Tony, Steve: My views on "Powers" can be found here: http://psychiclife.blogspot.com/2007/07/powers.html As for what I do on a daily basis, that can be found here: http://psychiclife.blogspot.com/2007/01/......ion.html As for if I have "Psychic Power"? That is like asking an artist if the have "Artist Powers" or a chef, "Cooking Powers". Silly, if you ask me. Do I have strong intuition, yes. Do I sometimes have unexplained things happen around me, yes. As for my answer to the Randi question, it was written in a previous post. Tony |
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Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts
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Tony
I saw that eerie white glow in the sky - so what I thought was a revelation was just a reflection? Usually true of life in general! Destiny |
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts
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Destiny
You have to get out of the cave or all you will see are reflections. My legs not withstanding.
Tony |
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts
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Steve,
Why do you not go to Randi's site and educate yourself? I did and that is the reason He and Angel run from me. -J Ack H.O.A-X
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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yachanin Inner circle Cleveland, OH 2109 Posts
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Hi Tony,
Thank you for the links. I thought they were quite interesting and your reliance on "intuition" when performing readings makes sense. I also understand how using the term "power" can seem silly. Perhaps the term "ability" would have been a more appropriate choice. It would then make more sense to ask someone if they have any artistic ability (rather than artistic power). So with the substitution of the word "ability" for "power," I am still curious to know why those who have real psychic ability do not claim Randi's check? You have said that you do not want to support his agenda and I accept that (I would not, however, characterize wagering that kind of money as a child's game). If I had real psychic abilities, I would take his money in a New York minute (which, I suspect, would trash his personal agenda as well). Alas, I do not have such real psychic abilities. How about any others out there? Why do you not take his money? Regards, Steve
"Impossible? Your audience will think so..." TM
Thought Association Card Triangulation Word Search Detective Christmas Eve Sights - Start A Family Tradition |
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts
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I think Slim gave you your answer.
look at it yourself instead of expecting others to spoon you the info.
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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Posted: May 26, 2008 11:46 pm 
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