Another RantToday, Sunday, January 16, 2000, I had to write another rant after reading the newspaper. The article that prompted the rant had to do with "psychic schools." Here is a 300kB GIF of the article since the story doesn't seem to be available online from the Arizona Republic. Just in case you want to see what I was ranting about.I've had two letters to the Republic published in the last five or six weeks, along with a few others previously. They may consider a third letter in quick succession too much from one individual, so I wonder whether this effort will see the light of day. In any event, it is cathartic to write and if at least YOU see it, great. |
Response to: Schools for psychics on riseSunday, January 16, 2000Sunday's Republic carried a piece from the Associated Press entitled Schools for psychics on rise. I could not believe my eyes. I would have thought the Republic responsible enough to leave such baloney to the supermarket tabloids, or at least place it next to the horoscopes, but no. As it is, the stupidity and credulity reflected in the piece demand a response.Psychics, astrologers and other such charlatans forever repeat claims of extraordinary abilities and phenomena. There is not a shred of evidence that any of this stuff is real, nor is there any reason to think it might be real. To the contrary, over time there has been example after example of how proponents of the paranormal use trickery to bamboozle the credulous. This is not harmless entertainment we see. It's actually scary to realize that Nancy Reagan consulted astrologers on policy issues, and she is not alone. Even the CIA got into the paranormal with millions of dollars spent on "remote viewing" adventures because some credulous policymaker forced the issue. My only hope in the CIA case is that it was actually a psyop designed to distract the Soviets. If so, it worked; the Soviets also wasted time and resources on the paranormal. It goes on and on. Debunkings also occur repeatedly, though they ought not have to. Please, Arizona Republic, don't lend credence to the incredible. Be a little critical when you publish something like this. In the meantime, if any psychic can tell me the contents of the file, PsychicJunk.txt, that I just put on my computer, I will have reason to reconsider the following statement: All psychics and astrologers are con artists and liars. |
January 26, 2000The final statement above it too strong. I have no desire to be insulting to any person who feels, in his or her heart of hearts, that psychic, astrological or other paranormal phenomena are real. I wish, rather, to as harshly as I can, condemn those who manipulate and exploit other people, like psychic hotlines, tarot parlors, mediums, some preachers, some marketers and the like. Exploitive compliance professinals is all they are. These are the ones I attack. Others I wish not to insult. Live and let live. |