Garvarn
Thinker
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2003
- Messages
- 204
Cold reading redefined
- Thread starter Garvarn
- Start date
The general tenet of the article is sound, i.e., there is more to a convincing sitting than stock phrases, but this has never been the claim of those who know cold reading.
When I have been involved in threads about allegedly psychic performances, I have adamantly pointed out that cold reading is only one aspect of a psychic's technique.
That seems to be what the author is saying here. As such, he is adding nothing that the experienced and knowledgeable do not know, but he is perhaps adding a needed emphasis on the willing complicity of the sitter.
That is something that has also been frequently mentioned here, particularly when explaining to believers the difficulty in showing a skeptic successfully employing the techniques of a medium to fool an audience. Just as in the article's example, the audience tends to determine legitimacy not on substance but on the messenger. Ray Hyman will never convince anyone he is a psychic. John Edward always will be able.
To wrap up this rambling response, I think the term "cold reading" has grown beyond it's original meaning so that now it indicates any method used to convince someone of psychic or mediumistic abilities. I consider this a bad thing, as it has caused the confusion to which the author is responding but to which he has also fallen victim.
When I have been involved in threads about allegedly psychic performances, I have adamantly pointed out that cold reading is only one aspect of a psychic's technique.
That seems to be what the author is saying here. As such, he is adding nothing that the experienced and knowledgeable do not know, but he is perhaps adding a needed emphasis on the willing complicity of the sitter.
That is something that has also been frequently mentioned here, particularly when explaining to believers the difficulty in showing a skeptic successfully employing the techniques of a medium to fool an audience. Just as in the article's example, the audience tends to determine legitimacy not on substance but on the messenger. Ray Hyman will never convince anyone he is a psychic. John Edward always will be able.
To wrap up this rambling response, I think the term "cold reading" has grown beyond it's original meaning so that now it indicates any method used to convince someone of psychic or mediumistic abilities. I consider this a bad thing, as it has caused the confusion to which the author is responding but to which he has also fallen victim.
Garvarn
Thinker
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2003
- Messages
- 204
Thank you for commenting, Garrette. I am perhaps somewhat misleading in labeling it "Cold reading redefined", as the focus really is the notion that psychic readings can be done unconsciously. But I do think it is better to have a term for what psychics are doing during a session, than splitting it up in different techniques which can be employed on demand. And "cold reading" is a good term when isolated to the moment of the session, as opposed to "hot reading" which is getting information prior to the session.
I just hope I'm not adding to the confusion...
I just hope I'm not adding to the confusion...