investigating a reading.

[lolurigeller]

Long story short, I was offered a free reading from a channeler who is a friend of my mother and I decided to take it up, because it was free ( I'd never do it under paid circumstances as the money motive would be an impediment)

Even though i'm a skeptical person I'm kind of new to preforming skeptic investigations so I'd appreciate some advice on what to do when I backtrack and analyze the tape. Any help would definitely be appreciatedl, thanks in advance.

 

[jimtron]

Did the channeler make any claims, or describe what they were doing (ie, channeling a deceased loved one, etc.)? We can tell you more about the techniques to watch for, but it would help to know specifically what they were doing (or claiming to do).

I'd be willing to bet there is a lot of fishing going on, and vague platitudes. For starters.

 

[Beady]

...a channeler who is a friend of my mother

I believe this moves into the realm of "warm" reading. I think you're going to be amazed at what this person knows about you, that you never told them.

Jimtron:

I'd be willing to bet there is a lot of fishing going on, and vague platitudes. For starters.

See my previous. I'll bet it's going to be rather definite and specific, for starters.

 

[Richard]

I recommend you listen to this : http://www.skeptics.com.au/tank/051027.mp3

also, I recommend you buy this : http://www.ianrowland.com/ItemsToBuy/ColdReading/ColdReadingMain1.html

 

[Beady]

...also, I recommend you buy this : http://www.ianrowland.com/ItemsToBuy/ColdReading/ColdReadingMain1.html

Started to order a copy, but wasn't entirely sure it's a secure site. Any chance we could purchase via JREF?

 

[Reno]

If you still live with your mom then the channeller will tell you about a lot of problems with pipes and water and something a bit bent and drips and leaky taps and creaks and whistling noises and cold spots.

Obviously - if you didn't know - she is just relaying back to you things your mom has already told her ( during readings and in normal conversation) about the house you occupy.

 

[CFLarsen]

Long story short, I was offered a free reading from a channeler who is a friend of my mother and I decided to take it up, because it was free ( I'd never do it under paid circumstances as the money motive would be an impediment)

Even though i'm a skeptical person I'm kind of new to preforming skeptic investigations so I'd appreciate some advice on what to do when I backtrack and analyze the tape. Any help would definitely be appreciatedl, thanks in advance.

Take the time and transcribe what is being said.

Post it here, and we'll analyze it.

You can start with the best "hit" the channeler gets, and we'll take it from there.

 

[EHocking]

Take the time and transcribe what is being said.

Post it here, and we'll analyze it.

You can start with the best "hit" the channeler gets, and we'll take it from there.

Even better, ask if you can tape it. Many "readers" offer that any way. Faulty memory of what was said is what these people rely upon.
Also, try not to engage in conversation too much. Don't elaborate on any questions asked - a non-committal "Mm" rather than "yes" or "no" will make the task of cold reading you much more difficult than if you provide the reader with information.
As previously indicated, it's probable that the reader will have some background on you (or at least your mother/friend) before they give you your reading.

 

[Ocelot]

Considering what your mother is already likely to know about you (Which if I know mothers if far more than you've conciously told her) a reliable test of this channeller's abilities is next to impossible. Instead consider this. This woman and your mother talk. They talk about all manner of subjects. Whatever is important to them. You're important to you mother. This woman has a "sixth sense" that means she constucts meaning from subtle signals. This woman out of the blue has offered you a free reading.

I'd work on the stong assumption that this woman "senses" that there's something your mother needs to ask or tell you but can't and has therefore chosen to act as an intermediary.

The most benefit you can expect to get out of this process is to recive a garbled message from your mother that she might not even be aware that she's sent.

What's more consider that the information might not be unidirectional. Whatever feedback you give this chaneller can't help but influence the advice she goes on to give your mother.

Since this is a warm/hot reading then holding back on cold reading cues will have minimal effect on the acuracy of the reading. If you want his person to "sense" when talking to your mother that you are closed, insular and guarded in your relationships then by all means take an adversarial approach to the session. However I would suggest that you simply treat it as a bit of fun and frivolity. Go along with her crazy beliefs in good humour and the certain knowldge that however convincing the session may be, there really is a rational explanation for everything.