Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Scottyman · 12-09-2002, 10:12 AM

Does anyone else agree with me that John Edwards is a scam artist? He never actually comes out and says anything prophetic. He asks the audience members leading questions that have inevitable conclusions that he uses to draw answers out of them. I've read that his screeners do research on potential audience members to get background information on them that he can use for his program. I think it's a sick form of manipulation preying upon peoples ignorance and mourning to take advantage of them financially. That lady that's doing the pets now is seriously wacko.

Marruk · 12-09-2002, 11:08 AM

I wish I didn't have a consience sometimes. I can't think of an easier way to make money then telling people exactly what they already know or what they want to hear.

SmartBlonde57 · 12-09-2002, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scottyman:
<strong>Does anyone else agree with me that John Edwards is a scam artist? He never actually comes out and says anything prophetic. He asks the audience members leading questions that have inevitable conclusions that he uses to draw answers out of them. </strong>

Yes, he's a classic "cold reader".

Here are links to some articles that provide good explanations of this kind of "trick":

<a href="http://www.csicop.org/genx/edward/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.csicop.org/genx/edward/index.html</a>
<a href="http://www.csicop.org/si/2001-11/i-files.html" target="_blank">http://www.csicop.org/si/2001-11/i-files.html</a>
<a href="http://www.theness.com/articles/editorialmediumdead-nejs0303.html" target="_blank">http://www.theness.com/articles/editorialmediumdead-nejs0303.html</a>

=====
-- Mary
<a href="http://www.smartblonde57.com" target="_blank">http://www.smartblonde57.com</a>

The Dionysian · 12-09-2002, 12:00 PM

I plan to someday go on his show. Doesn't he usually just start with saying a letter as in your dead relative's name starts with that letter? Whatever letter he says I'd say "that's me" and then everything else he says about my "dead relatives" I'll say he's wrong, then for the rest of the time I'll just heckle him to death. Of course it would never get on tv as I hear they do some pretty heavy editing but it would still be worth it.

Shadowy Man · 12-09-2002, 12:21 PM

It makes you wonder whether they weed out people in their potential audience.

Scottyman · 12-09-2002, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the links SmartBlonde57! I read those articles and it pretty much summed up what I thought he was doing. Pretty scammy taking advantage of peoples greif. This type of con really needs to be exposed.

Speechless · 12-10-2002, 05:37 AM

He's a douche.

openeyes · 12-10-2002, 06:06 AM

I agree that he's a charlatan. What amazes me is that a couple months ago the "magazine" that comes as a supplement to the Sunday paper had a cover story about him or the topic. The tone of the story was along the lines of "well we don't know that it couldn't be as he says.."

Kharakov · 12-10-2002, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Speechless:
<strong>He's a douche.</strong>

He is the biggest douche in the universe.

Amie · 12-10-2002, 07:11 AM

I'd like to go on his show just to check things out...

I wonder why everyone in the audience has to wear black or dark colored clothing...some type of dress code I guess.
what are my chances of being allowed on the set wearing neon green...

12-09-2002, 10:12 AM	#1
Scottyman Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 138	Crossing Over Does anyone else agree with me that John Edwards is a scam artist? He never actually comes out and says anything prophetic. He asks the audience members leading questions that have inevitable conclusions that he uses to draw answers out of them. I've read that his screeners do research on potential audience members to get background information on them that he can use for his program. I think it's a sick form of manipulation preying upon peoples ignorance and mourning to take advantage of them financially. That lady that's doing the pets now is seriously wacko.

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12-09-2002, 11:08 AM	#2
Marruk Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,596	I wish I didn't have a consience sometimes. I can't think of an easier way to make money then telling people exactly what they already know or what they want to hear.

12-09-2002, 12:00 PM	#4
The Dionysian Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: who knows Posts: 154	I plan to someday go on his show. Doesn't he usually just start with saying a letter as in your dead relative's name starts with that letter? Whatever letter he says I'd say "that's me" and then everything else he says about my "dead relatives" I'll say he's wrong, then for the rest of the time I'll just heckle him to death. Of course it would never get on tv as I hear they do some pretty heavy editing but it would still be worth it.

12-09-2002, 12:21 PM	#5
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	It makes you wonder whether they weed out people in their potential audience.

12-09-2002, 12:34 PM	#6
Scottyman Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 138	Thanks for the links SmartBlonde57! I read those articles and it pretty much summed up what I thought he was doing. Pretty scammy taking advantage of peoples greif. This type of con really needs to be exposed.

12-10-2002, 05:37 AM	#7
Speechless Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 111	He's a douche.

12-10-2002, 06:06 AM	#8
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	I agree that he's a charlatan. What amazes me is that a couple months ago the "magazine" that comes as a supplement to the Sunday paper had a cover story about him or the topic. The tone of the story was along the lines of "well we don't know that it couldn't be as he says.."

12-10-2002, 07:11 AM	#10
Amie Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York Posts: 1,626	I'd like to go on his show just to check things out... I wonder why everyone in the audience has to wear black or dark colored clothing...some type of dress code I guess. what are my chances of being allowed on the set wearing neon green...

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