Char and other Psychics.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Char, life after disaster. Char claims to be a psychic medium who talks to the dead. In her new show she visits people who lost a loved one in a disastrous event. Plane crash, or the firework explosion in Enschede for example.

http://www.rtl.nl/programma/char/home/index.xml
(Dutch site about the show)

This is the kind of thing that gets me genuinely pissed off. But I am willing to be told it's no big deal and I am really getting upset over nothing at all. I think we are all intelligent enough to realise that these people use tricks to do their magic show of talking to deceased relatives, so in advance I'm going to assume that we all agree there's nothing paranormal about the whole affair.

Now what pisses me off is that this cow, sponsored by RTL, invades the lives of people who have had a terrible loss and are thus open to any kind of consolidation she offers them, while knowing that what she does is nothing more spectacular then a cheap magic trick. And I have to say I completely understand the willingness of those poor people to participate in such a show. Especially the chance to relate to a lost love one is a temptation which can be nearly impossible to resist.

Now the big question. Does this tart provide a sort of closure to the loved ones that remain behind, and could this be actually a good experience for them so they can be more at peace with what happened and more capable of getting on with their lives. Or is this horse really disgracing the loved ones by claiming to have the right to speak for them? Is she actually raping their graves for some money, fame and recognition?

I think it's pretty clear what my opinion is.

[Timbuk2]

Nothing good may come of her kind of interference. Nothing good at all.

Taking advantage of vulnerable people for TV advertising revenue is low. However I'm not sure how reality TV shows of this nature could be regulated. I'm assuming all the subjects featured on the show are willing participants? One cannot legislate for common sense unfortunately.

[ar81]

I am psychic. I can see you right now being in front of a computer reading a post.

[Ominous Gamer]

The Southpark Episode "Biggest Douche in the Universe" sums up my opinion perfectly.

[Illusions]

The Southpark Episode "Biggest Douche in the Universe" sums up my opinion perfectly.

I take it that that one is about John Edward? Yeah, he can pretty much go screw himself. To be honest though, he probably would if he could, and would enjoy doing so...

[Ominous Gamer]

Yeah thats it, the one that explains how Edward gets away with his psychic medium trick on his Crossing Over show.

[Loki]

Democrats and astrology

[Illusions]

Yeah thats it, the one that explains how Edward gets away with his psychic medium trick on his Crossing Over show.

Its always stupid shit too...

John Edward: "Someone with eyeglasses and a hat is speaking to me...anyone in the audience know someone with eyeglasses and a hat?"
Over Emotional Viewer: "My father who died in a brutal car accident wore a hat and glasses!"
John Edward: "I'm sensing this was traumatic for you and your family."
Over Emotional Viewer: "OH MY GOD IT WAS!"
John Edward: "I'm also seeing that he either liked ties or wore ties, and that someone gave him one for Father's day."
Over Emotional Viewer: "OH MY GOD THAT WAS ME!!!"
John Edward: "He says it was his favorite."
Over Emotional Viewer: "OH MY GOD THANK YOU JOHN!"

...

[Ziggy Stardust]

But am I too anal to actually get mad about this?

Or is it harmless bullshit?

[Ominous Gamer]

I don't consider it harmless, it seriously fucks with these people's ability to properly cope and come to an understanding about life and death.

[Illusions]

But am I too anal to actually get mad about this?

Or is it harmless bullshit?

Well its really up to you, but they are their own class of scum.

[Flixy]

But am I too anal to actually get mad about this?

Or is it harmless bullshit?

You should be very mad.

[Ziggy Stardust]

I am!

That's why I love Derren Brown's "Messiah". He shows that not only you can do all the paranormal stuff without extra special phenomenal cosmic powers, he also had a forfeit that whenever anyone would ask him what he did is a trick, he would fess up. Of course, everyone bought his tricks as the real thing, no questions asked.

It also often boggles me that some of these people seem to have convinced themselves they are psychic.

[Timbuk2]

Derren Brown is v talented. Quite extraordinary.

[Being]

I don't consider it harmless, it seriously fucks with these people's ability to properly cope and come to an understanding about life and death.

Understanding? About life and death? You mean like white shores and beyond.

[Supermarioman]

When I saw the thread title the only thing that popped into my head was this guy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_Aznable

The Char you're actually talking about seems like a jerk. I don't know how that show got green light, but there must have been some drunkenness involved.

[Crowheart]

But am I too anal to actually get mad about this?

Or is it harmless bullshit?

No, get mad!

It's exploiting emotionally distressed people to make money.
It's utter crap.

[Tempus Vernum]

But am I too anal to actually get mad about this?

Or is it harmless bullshit?

Definately not harmless, nothing about pseudoscience and woo is ever totally harmless, but does it cause enough harm for us to get serious about it and try to stop it? It's another one of those subjective lines that everyone will draw in a different location.

[Echovirus]

When I saw the thread title the only thing that popped into my head was this guy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_Aznable

The Char you're actually talking about seems like a jerk. I don't know how that show got green light, but there must have been some drunkenness involved.

That was the Char I thought he was talking about too.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Definately not harmless, nothing about pseudoscience and woo is ever totally harmless, but does it cause enough harm for us to get serious about it and try to stop it? It's another one of those subjective lines that everyone will draw in a different location.

Oh that's great. Ammunition!

Thanks

Best way to combat these bastards is show what frauds they are over and over again.