Derren Brown / Joe Power / "Psychic"

[Twa Cairpets]

Derren Brown has a new show "Derren Brown Investigates" (http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-investigates) on Channel 4.

Last night was following the well-known - ahem - "psychic" Joe "The man Who Sees Dead People" Power, a deeply obnoxious little Liverpudlian who takes advantage of the credulous and vulnerable by allegedly contacting deceased relatives.

Brown very professionally showed him up for the charlatan he is, exposing his "gift" as cold reading - exactly like the equally odious Derek Acorah, Colin Fry and John Edwards. I notice from Powers website (http://www.joepower.co.uk/index.php) he has a series of shows at the Assembly Rooms at the festival - I hope this show has the effect of making it a massive flop (but sadly doubt it ).

[Beefster]

When I was much younger, a girlfriend of mine persuaded me to go with her to a spiritualist church in Portobello. I had already made my mind up (and still have) that it's all nonsense but the bod on stage picked out my g\friend, rightly said that she had lost her grandmother 6 months before and gave a couple of 'messages' from the grandmother that my g/friend swore that could have only been known by her or her close family.

It didn't change my mind but it did confuse the hell out of me about how they managed it.

[Jay]

When I was much younger, a girlfriend of mine persuaded me to go with her to a spiritualist church in Portobello. I had already made my mind up (and still have) that it's all nonsense but the bod on stage picked out my g\friend, rightly said that she had lost her grandmother 6 months before and gave a couple of 'messages' from the grandmother that my g/friend swore that could have only been known by her or her close family.

It didn't change my mind but it did confuse the hell out of me about how they managed it.

I want to believe it but as yet have seen or heard nothing that proves mediums can do what they say. I have been to a few 'shows' and found them all to be very unentertaining crap and have not forked out for a private reading but a friend of mine told me a story about a medium and what she said to her that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Now my friend was very vulnerable at the time as she had just lost her daughter so she may be taking things that weren't there from her reading, nothing wrong with that as it certainly gave her a bit of the peace she so desperately needed at the time, so I have decided to have a reading by this woman and for the first time I have to say I am nervous. Watch this space.

[sleeping giant]

A good few years ago my mate said to me.....

Mate "Have you seen that David Blane the magician?"

Me "Nut"

Mate" Jimmy man , you need to watch him he can levitate!"

Me ":faf::faf::faf: you're winding me up eh"

Mate " Nah man , i'm telling you ! He actually floated above the ground infront of people outside "

Me " What ? You are telling me that you believe , at 25 years old , that David Blane can defy the laws of Gravity and float "

Mate " I know it sounds weird (:faf:) but i seen it , he floated and everyone around him was shocked "

Me ":faf: F*** off ya plum ! Kev do you hear this........:faf:"

True story ! That guy now runs his own business in Aberdeen and is doing quite well for himself :greengrin

Always wanted to tell that story on here :greengrin



If someone really could make contact with energy forms from other dimensions , i don't really think they would need to tour around Assembly rooms to sell their wares.

[Allant1981]

ive seen derren brown at a private function and the guy is amazing, all the people who were at it were guests so none of them worked for him and some of the things he managed to guess about them was un real. Id love to know how he does it

[Twa Cairpets]

I want to believe it but as yet have seen or heard nothing that proves mediums can do what they say. I have been to a few 'shows' and found them all to be very unentertaining crap and have not forked out for a private reading but a friend of mine told me a story about a medium and what she said to her that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Now my friend was very vulnerable at the time as she had just lost her daughter so she may be taking things that weren't there from her reading, nothing wrong with that as it certainly gave her a bit of the peace she so desperately needed at the time, so I have decided to have a reading by this woman and for the first time I have to say I am nervous. Watch this space.

It will be interesting to hear how you get on!

If you get a chance to watch the Derren Brown programme on Replay or 4OD or whatever try to do it before your private session to see if the medium uses the cold reading techniques that Brown exposes. Its difficult, because these people can be very convincing, but you will naturally be prompted to remember the "hits" the medium makes rather than the misses.

But whatever he/she tells you, it aint the spirit world talking to you!

[Jay]

It will be interesting to hear how you get on!

If you get a chance to watch the Derren Brown programme on Replay or 4OD or whatever try to do it before your private session to see if the medium uses the cold reading techniques that Brown exposes. Its difficult, because these people can be very convincing, but you will naturally be prompted to remember the "hits" the medium makes rather than the misses.

But whatever he/she tells you, it aint the spirit world talking to you!

I think I might just do that. The things she said to my friend were astonishing, she told her of a heart wrenching conversation her two daughters had just before one passed away naming one of the girls still born baby,a conversation she knew nothing about until it was verified by her other daughter.As I say my friend was very very vulnerable so she may have heard things that were not said. I'm enough of a sceptic not to jump on everything they say but if I am honest am probably hopeful enough to forget to be level headed.

The woman is fully booked for months so I think its about July. I will let you know what happens.

[Twa Cairpets]

I think I might just do that. The things she said to my friend were astonishing, she told her of a heart wrenching conversation her two daughters had just before one passed away naming one of the girls still born baby,a conversation she knew nothing about until it was verified by her other daughter.As I say my friend was very very vulnerable so she may have heard things that were not said. I'm enough of a sceptic not to jump on everything they say but if I am honest am probably hopeful enough to forget to be level headed.

The woman is fully booked for months so I think its about July. I will let you know what happens.

Just thought of something else - these people quite often get a bit of background from friends/family who they do readings for - pulling out a little nugget or two to get the client on-side and then letting the client do the work for them.

If you have a bit of time, read Christopher Brookmyres novel "Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks" to give you a bit more info about how these fraudulent charalatans come up with things that "they couldnt possibly know" - its also a very funny book.

[SlickShoes]

Watched this last night as well, noticed that the guy went to the loo every time he went into someones house.

Anyway i saw derren brown live last month and it was awesome.

He done a similar show where he went to the USA where he is unknown and tried to pass himself off as a mind reader and various other things using what he does in his shows, all of the "experts" that tested him thought he was legit but he was infact making it all up and cold reading people.

He could easily make a killing out of doing it in the paranormal way but he doesnt, he is happy to say its all magic and tricks and not as it seems.

[whereswallace?]

When I was much younger, a girlfriend of mine persuaded me to go with her to a spiritualist church in Portobello. I had already made my mind up (and still have) that it's all nonsense but the bod on stage picked out my g\friend, rightly said that she had lost her grandmother 6 months before and gave a couple of 'messages' from the grandmother that my g/friend swore that could have only been known by her or her close family.

It didn't change my mind but it did confuse the hell out of me about how they managed it.


Only a few weeks ago i went to the very same spiritualist church to chum a friend. I have always been a sceptic,however during the session i was picked out and got a few messages that really made me think!!

[Twa Cairpets]

Only a few weeks ago i went to the very same spiritualist church to chum a friend. I have always been a sceptic,however during the session i was picked out and got a few messages that really made me think!!

It would be unlikely that a skilled cold reader wouldnt get a few hits, and then by restating the hit (as Joe Power did) it reinforces the impression that he is receiving remarkable and unknowable messages.

For me, watching with a deeply, deeply skeptical eye I always think the following is relevant:

Psychic gets a message from a Jim or Jimmy or James or Jemma until he gets a hit. After various drilling down of the punter:

"He passed with a heart or head or chest injury/illness",

"I'm sensing unfinished business",

"he was a loving person but could keep his feelings close, wasn't he?",

"he knows you left some things unsaid and he knows you did it to spare his feelings and he's ok with that" you finally get -

"Jimmy says dont worry about not saying goodbye", punter feels wow thats amazing.

If "Jimmy" knew all this, and was powerful enough "in the spirit world" to want to relay the message, why would he wait for a sideshow mystic to channel him, whilst waiting apparently politely in a queue behind all the other ghosties to relay their messages first. Why didnt he say right off "Hey Boab (thats Boab McGlumpher of 24 Acacia Avenue, The Pans) I know all about your affair with my wife, but dinnae worry big man, I was doing yours too" instead of always, always starting with "I'm sensing a Jimmy" who eventually leaves an enigmatic detail like "the key is in the "special place".

It's p!sh. Very beguiling and convincing p!sh, but p!sh all the same. And dangerous, mean-minded, cynical p!sh at that.

[hibby19]

A good few years ago my mate said to me.....

Mate "Have you seen that David Blane the magician?"

Me "Nut"

Mate" Jimmy man , you need to watch him he can levitate!"

Me ":faf::faf::faf: you're winding me up eh"

Mate " Nah man , i'm telling you ! He actually floated above the ground infront of people outside "

Me " What ? You are telling me that you believe , at 25 years old , that David Blane can defy the laws of Gravity and float "

Mate " I know it sounds weird (:faf:) but i seen it , he floated and everyone around him was shocked "

Me ":faf: F*** off ya plum ! Kev do you hear this........:faf:"

True story ! That guy now runs his own business in Aberdeen and is doing quite well for himself :greengrin

Always wanted to tell that story on here :greengrin



If someone really could make contact with energy forms from other dimensions , i don't really think they would need to tour around Assembly rooms to sell their wares.

YouTube - David Blaine Levitation - WATCH (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhJ8pXKaKQ)

Looks pretty cool though :greengrin

[EH6 Hibby]

I think I might just do that. The things she said to my friend were astonishing, she told her of a heart wrenching conversation her two daughters had just before one passed away naming one of the girls still born baby,a conversation she knew nothing about until it was verified by her other daughter.As I say my friend was very very vulnerable so she may have heard things that were not said. I'm enough of a sceptic not to jump on everything they say but if I am honest am probably hopeful enough to forget to be level headed.

The woman is fully booked for months so I think its about July. I will let you know what happens.

I've seen a fair few dodgy spiritulists, the last one especially was absolutely dreadful, but I've also seen a few really good ones too, one especially was similar to your friends experience except I wasn't feeling vulnerable at the time. This lady told me that my Gran had come through and told me quite a few things that she couldn't have known, things that I didn't even know and whenever I gave her a blank look she told me to ask my mum, I did as she said and my mum knew exactly what I was talking about.

[sleeping giant]

YouTube - David Blaine Levitation - WATCH (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhJ8pXKaKQ)

Looks pretty cool though :greengrin

:thumbsup:


Thats the one :faf:

[anon1]

Very well done by Derren. Absolute ****bag is that John 'Power'.

[steakbake]

A good few years ago my mate said to me.....

Mate "Have you seen that David Blane the magician?"

Me "Nut"

Mate" Jimmy man , you need to watch him he can levitate!"

Me ":faf::faf::faf: you're winding me up eh"

Mate " Nah man , i'm telling you ! He actually floated above the ground infront of people outside "

Me " What ? You are telling me that you believe , at 25 years old , that David Blane can defy the laws of Gravity and float "

Mate " I know it sounds weird (:faf:) but i seen it , he floated and everyone around him was shocked "

Me ":faf: F*** off ya plum ! Kev do you hear this........:faf:"

True story ! That guy now runs his own business in Aberdeen and is doing quite well for himself :greengrin

Always wanted to tell that story on here :greengrin



If someone really could make contact with energy forms from other dimensions , i don't really think they would need to tour around Assembly rooms to sell their wares.

I once worked with a guy who thought the X Files was a documentary when it first started. Tit.

I quite like Derren Brown - exposing the sham and bullsht that deserves to be exposed.

[Number69]

Private readings are a load o pish and much easier now especially if booked in advance. If it was me i'd just type your name into facebook et voila i know everything about you.

[woodythehibee]

was a good insight.The guy was so arrogant though, and was sometimes a bit aggressive towards his "customers", especially the woman who changed her name just because he couldn't hit any facts.

It's good to see these guys who make money from people's grief get shown up.

[matty_f]

Just thought of something else - these people quite often get a bit of background from friends/family who they do readings for - pulling out a little nugget or two to get the client on-side and then letting the client do the work for them.

If you have a bit of time, read Christopher Brookmyres novel "Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks" to give you a bit more info about how these fraudulent charalatans come up with things that "they couldnt possibly know" - its also a very funny book.

Great book :top marks, also have a read of Derren Brown's own book where he covers the subject of cold reading as well.

I thought the show on Monday was very good. The boy was good at what he did but was found out big style, and spat the dummy because of it.


Derren Brown is superb, I find the guy absolutely fascinating.

[hstn747]

Watched this last night as well, noticed that the guy went to the loo every time he went into someones house.

Anyway i saw derren brown live last month and it was awesome.

He done a similar show where he went to the USA where he is unknown and tried to pass himself off as a mind reader and various other things using what he does in his shows, all of the "experts" that tested him thought he was legit but he was infact making it all up and cold reading people.

He could easily make a killing out of doing it in the paranormal way but he doesnt, he is happy to say its all magic and tricks and not as it seems.

Derren Brown also went to the loo when he went into Lee's house. Was this him saying, 'I know your trick'? I'm surprised the production team didn't make any mention of the toilet trips.

I'm a bit disappointed they didn't manage to do more to really show him up, i.e. come up with a test that Lee couldn't complain was unfair. For example, they could have put up fake pictures etc in the house & see if he tries to use any of the info in them in his 'readings'. Perhaps they could also have tested more psychics on that one woman so that it was a more general look at psychics.

I see on Lee Powers' website he claims to have solved some crimes including the Kidnapping of Shannon Mathews.

[Twa Cairpets]

Derren Brown also went to the loo when he went into Lee's house. Was this him saying, 'I know your trick'? I'm surprised the production team didn't make any mention of the toilet trips.

I'm a bit disappointed they didn't manage to do more to really show him up, i.e. come up with a test that Lee couldn't complain was unfair. Perhaps they could also have tested more psychics on that one woman so that it was a more general look at psychics.

I see on Lee Powers' website he claims to have solved some crimes including the Kidnapping of Shannon Mathews.

Lee Power used to play for Hibs.:greengrin Joe Power, however, refused to do the "test" as it was fair. Any fair testing protocol would show him up as a fake, and therefore he would not do it - probaly something to do with negative energies blocking the karmic flow or some such recourse towards as I'm actually a clairaudient, which is what he used in the show. its the old dilemma - its impossible to prove a negative in these circumstances: You can have piece of evidence after piece of evidence where you can show it is bollox, but all the psychic has to say is "the energy fields were disrupted" and he's away scot-free. In my view, if you make extraordinary claims you need to supply extraordinary evidence to support it. Power guesses at numbers and looks you straight in the eye when he says he's sincere. Sorry fella that doesnt wash.

Also, as an aside, he burbled on about magentic fields around the body that he can see. how come he isnt blinded when he walks past pylons or the like?

[hstn747]

Ha! That must be where I got it from. Oops

I would just like to see more of these guys being forced to squirm & comming up with their crazy excuses. It is especially entertaining when they start giving their 'scientific' explanations.

Derren Brown & Dawkins discussed the fact that Psychics will just claim that anyone who questions or asks them to be more specific is 'blocking the energy' and they can't work with them. The only thing that is being blocked is the person's imagination and its attempts to connect the Psychics claims with the reality.

[SlickShoes]

Here is a good article from some people that confronted him about it all, they also challenged him to take a test like Derren did in which is psychics can prove they have powers they win $1 million.

Oh and he also says that Sceptics are just like paedophiles!

http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/2009/06/psychic-joe-power-and-the-two-man-mob/

[matty_f]

Here is a good article from some people that confronted him about it all, they also challenged him to take a test like Derren did in which is psychics can prove they have powers they win $1 million.

Oh and he also says that Sceptics are just like paedophiles!

http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/2009/06/psychic-joe-power-and-the-two-man-mob/

That's a good read. The boy comes across as a right bell-end.

[dawn]

Here is a good article from some people that confronted him about it all, they also challenged him to take a test like Derren did in which is psychics can prove they have powers they win $1 million.

Oh and he also says that Sceptics are just like paedophiles!

http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/2009/06/psychic-joe-power-and-the-two-man-mob/

Good read, the man has no shame!