Penn & Teller: Bullshit!

Gahid · 06-20-2006, 01:12 PM

This is a pretty cool show similer to mythbusters, but on more serious topics like PETA, The War on Drugs, Second Hand Smoke, Bottled Water, and Recycling.
Unfortunatly it is a television show, and though they make some good points there is a lot of sensational fluff in between them.

Since I already know that a lot of their topics are bullshit it's interesting to really bring this stuff to my attention: I know there's a TV show called crossing over where a guy claims he can talk to the dead, but it's easy to forget that some people actually believe in that shit. Enough people that they put it on TV and gave some douchebag a six digit salery to lie to the uhh working class.

The Edge · 06-20-2006, 02:59 PM

I believe you're referring to John Edward. I've done a ton of research on the guy because I'm very skeptical on this sort of thing. Make whatever claims you want about the TV show, ie. maybe they cut out certain parts to make him appear to get more hits, or maybe they put plants in the audience, or have the producers spy on the audience before the show to pick up info on them.

Some people claim that he's a master of cold reading, which is throwing out non specific things and using the persons body language and what they say as feedback on where he's going next. He has had tests conducted on him where he is not allowed to even see the person or hear them, but he still gives accurate results.

Furthermore he'll do live shows such as Larry King where he'll do readings over the phone. Due to his success on this, some people would claim that he's doing hot readings, which means that he has forknowledge of who is going to call.

I'm still skeptical, as I have not met the guy in person, but it would seem that it's one of two things. Either Larry King, the entire staff, and every single person who calls in from home is paid off in an elaborate scheme to fool everyone, or the guy is legit.

xilsharn · 06-20-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Edge

I believe you're referring to John Edward. I've done a ton of research on the guy because I'm very skeptical on this sort of thing. Make whatever claims you want about the TV show, ie. maybe they cut out certain parts to make him appear to get more hits, or maybe they put plants in the audience, or have the producers spy on the audience before the show to pick up info on them.

Some people claim that he's a master of cold reading, which is throwing out non specific things and using the persons body language and what they say as feedback on where he's going next. He has had tests conducted on him where he is not allowed to even see the person or hear them, but he still gives accurate results.

Furthermore he'll do live shows such as Larry King where he'll do readings over the phone. Due to his success on this, some people would claim that he's doing hot readings, which means that he has forknowledge of who is going to call.

I'm still skeptical, as I have not met the guy in person, but it would seem that it's one of two things. Either Larry King, the entire staff, and every single person who calls in from home is paid off in an elaborate scheme to fool everyone, or the guy is legit.

Or, you know, people believe what makes them feel good.

Gahid · 06-20-2006, 04:20 PM

You're an idiot

Warrik · 06-21-2006, 09:11 AM

First season was the best. The show pretty much sucks now.

Faltigoth · 06-23-2006, 12:04 PM

John Edward uses the Wizard's First Rule from Terry Goodkind!

But in all honesty, when it comes to that 'Crossing Over' ghost sort of thing, I was at a lecture/presentation about a decade ago that was given by Ed and Lorraine Warren (ghost hunter type people). Some of the shit that went down in that church (they did it in a church at a local university) made me goddamn glad I was with a bunch of people I knew when I was walking back to my car in the dark. Audio tapes they played of an exorcism, strange shit going on, things moving, appearing in the corners, shadowy shapes -- sure, it could have all been faked to add to the atmosphere, and I am a pretty skeptical bastard but I came out of there scared to death.

The worst part of it was, after all this weird shit went down, my crew went up to meet them and Mrs. Warren started asking us really personal questions about stuff there is no way they could have known about, since we were just random people who showed up for a presentation using tickets we weren't supposed to have (we didn't go to that school, but we pulled some strings to get it.

). Asked my buddy about a leg injury he suffered while playing Lacrosse a year prior (the guy was a track runner who got hurt goofing off in a lacrosse game), asked me about how I was dealing with some personal shit in my life.

Its not like we asked her to give us a reading, we just wanted to shake their hands and comment on the presentation, and then she busts out with, 'how's the leg coming along from that lacrosse incident' and 'chris, how are you coming along with xxx?', she said something to my roommate's girlfriend that sent her walking out of that place without saying a word - and trust me, I wish I would have known what because that girl was not one for shutting up at any time.

Some weird, crazy shit -- since that night I think twice when I see shit about people like John Edward, because sure, its 99.9% certain that he isn't REALLY talking to dead people, but man. You just never know for sure.

Zehn - Vhex · 06-25-2006, 04:00 AM

The problem with Penn and Teller is they're just as bad with edits and cuts as some of the shows they criticize. Plus, it's like they don't even try anymore. At least during the first and second season they found experts in opposing fields and put up half-assed decent arguments. But now I think people who they approach have caught on and just say "Fuck you buddy" and they end up finding some dumbass on the street to 'defend' the opposing side.

As for ghost reading and blah blah blah, I think I lost my faith in anything mysterious being able to happen when there was a story on the news about a psychic who's house got robbed. According to a psychic my mom called shortly after she got married, two of my brothers were supposed to be girls. 8(

Throw enough darts and you'er bound to eventually hit a bullseye though. 8/

Scape667 · 06-25-2006, 02:23 PM

John Edwards is the biggest douche in the universe.

Flinch · 06-25-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zehn - Vhex

The problem with Penn and Teller is they're just as bad with edits and cuts as some of the shows they criticize. Plus, it's like they don't even try anymore. At least during the first and second season they found experts in opposing fields and put up half-assed decent arguments. But now I think people who they approach have caught on and just say "Fuck you buddy" and they end up finding some dumbass on the street to 'defend' the opposing side.

The nice thing about it is that they are completely honest about their biases, unlike the other shows who try to portray a 'fair and balanced' approach to the issue in question.

seraa · 06-25-2006, 11:02 PM

I still like the show, they might be a little biased but it's no worse (and sometimes more interesting) than how the real news shows get. And I thought the Ground Zero and the Boy Scouts episodes were really good. The Reparations one was pretty funny.

Kasonic · 06-26-2006, 10:52 AM

The first 3 seasons were gold, but I'm not liking these newer episode much. Maybe it's just because most of the good stuff was covered already, but like someone said they're not really bringing any experts to the table on their side, just random idiots.

Himeo · 06-26-2006, 01:33 PM

edit: Oops, thought this was SS...

My theory is that he is communing with spirits, but not the spirits of people's dead relatives. Rather, these spirits are the "angels" that followed Lucifer and now have nothing better to do than watch us live our lives.

Btw, these things can't hurt you. You can let them influence your decisions, even go so far as to let them take control of your body, but they are harmless. Their favorite hobby: messing around with priests. Exorcism is a running gag for the spirits.

AngryGerbil · 06-26-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Himeo

edit: Oops, thought this was SS...

My theory is that he is communing with spirits, but not the spirits of people's dead relatives. Rather, these spirits are the "angels" that followed Lucifer and now have nothing better to do than watch us live our lives.

Btw, these things can't hurt you. You can let them influence your decisions, even go so far as to let them take control of your body, but they are harmless. Their favorite hobby: messing around with priests. Exorcism is a running gag for the spirits.

That's a great theory. Right up there with the Theory of Gravity I'd say, yes.

Gahid · 06-27-2006, 12:37 PM

You should get your own TV show. Call yourself a neopsychic and call all the other ALLEGED psychics out to be the PHONYS that they are!

Himeo · 06-27-2006, 05:35 PM

I hear the money's pretty good. But, isn't profitting from religion blasphemous?

Hm...

06-20-2006, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gahid Registared User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,006 +0 Internets	Penn & Teller: Bullshit! This is a pretty cool show similer to mythbusters, but on more serious topics like PETA, The War on Drugs, Second Hand Smoke, Bottled Water, and Recycling. Unfortunatly it is a television show, and though they make some good points there is a lot of sensational fluff in between them. Since I already know that a lot of their topics are bullshit it's interesting to really bring this stuff to my attention: I know there's a TV show called crossing over where a guy claims he can talk to the dead, but it's easy to forget that some people actually believe in that shit. Enough people that they put it on TV and gave some douchebag a six digit salery to lie to the uhh working class.

06-25-2006, 02:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scape667 Unregistered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 150 +0 Internets	John Edwards is the biggest douche in the universe. __________________ Good bye.

06-25-2006, 11:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
seraa GO FORTH AND BECOME A HAPPY CABBAGE Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 117 -1 Internets	I still like the show, they might be a little biased but it's no worse (and sometimes more interesting) than how the real news shows get. And I thought the Ground Zero and the Boy Scouts episodes were really good. The Reparations one was pretty funny. __________________ Sera Team Ice

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06-20-2006, 02:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Edge Separation is an Illusion Join Date: May 2005 Location: No Posts: 395 -1 Internets	I believe you're referring to John Edward. I've done a ton of research on the guy because I'm very skeptical on this sort of thing. Make whatever claims you want about the TV show, ie. maybe they cut out certain parts to make him appear to get more hits, or maybe they put plants in the audience, or have the producers spy on the audience before the show to pick up info on them. Some people claim that he's a master of cold reading, which is throwing out non specific things and using the persons body language and what they say as feedback on where he's going next. He has had tests conducted on him where he is not allowed to even see the person or hear them, but he still gives accurate results. Furthermore he'll do live shows such as Larry King where he'll do readings over the phone. Due to his success on this, some people would claim that he's doing hot readings, which means that he has forknowledge of who is going to call. I'm still skeptical, as I have not met the guy in person, but it would seem that it's one of two things. Either Larry King, the entire staff, and every single person who calls in from home is paid off in an elaborate scheme to fool everyone, or the guy is legit.

06-20-2006, 04:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gahid Registared User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,006 +0 Internets	You're an idiot

06-21-2006, 09:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Warrik Ive been reading these boards since noows....that makes me uber Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 2,058 +1 Internets	First season was the best. The show pretty much sucks now.

06-23-2006, 12:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Faltigoth Army Football forever!! Who needs wins, anyway?!? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 781 +0 Internets	John Edward uses the Wizard's First Rule from Terry Goodkind! But in all honesty, when it comes to that 'Crossing Over' ghost sort of thing, I was at a lecture/presentation about a decade ago that was given by Ed and Lorraine Warren (ghost hunter type people). Some of the shit that went down in that church (they did it in a church at a local university) made me goddamn glad I was with a bunch of people I knew when I was walking back to my car in the dark. Audio tapes they played of an exorcism, strange shit going on, things moving, appearing in the corners, shadowy shapes -- sure, it could have all been faked to add to the atmosphere, and I am a pretty skeptical bastard but I came out of there scared to death. The worst part of it was, after all this weird shit went down, my crew went up to meet them and Mrs. Warren started asking us really personal questions about stuff there is no way they could have known about, since we were just random people who showed up for a presentation using tickets we weren't supposed to have (we didn't go to that school, but we pulled some strings to get it. ). Asked my buddy about a leg injury he suffered while playing Lacrosse a year prior (the guy was a track runner who got hurt goofing off in a lacrosse game), asked me about how I was dealing with some personal shit in my life. Its not like we asked her to give us a reading, we just wanted to shake their hands and comment on the presentation, and then she busts out with, 'how's the leg coming along from that lacrosse incident' and 'chris, how are you coming along with xxx?', she said something to my roommate's girlfriend that sent her walking out of that place without saying a word - and trust me, I wish I would have known what because that girl was not one for shutting up at any time. Some weird, crazy shit -- since that night I think twice when I see shit about people like John Edward, because sure, its 99.9% certain that he isn't REALLY talking to dead people, but man. You just never know for sure.

06-25-2006, 04:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Zehn - Vhex Lord of the Dance Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 6,009 +26 Internets	The problem with Penn and Teller is they're just as bad with edits and cuts as some of the shows they criticize. Plus, it's like they don't even try anymore. At least during the first and second season they found experts in opposing fields and put up half-assed decent arguments. But now I think people who they approach have caught on and just say "Fuck you buddy" and they end up finding some dumbass on the street to 'defend' the opposing side. As for ghost reading and blah blah blah, I think I lost my faith in anything mysterious being able to happen when there was a story on the news about a psychic who's house got robbed. According to a psychic my mom called shortly after she got married, two of my brothers were supposed to be girls. 8( Throw enough darts and you'er bound to eventually hit a bullseye though. 8/

06-26-2006, 10:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
Kasonic dumb Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,627 +1 Internets	The first 3 seasons were gold, but I'm not liking these newer episode much. Maybe it's just because most of the good stuff was covered already, but like someone said they're not really bringing any experts to the table on their side, just random idiots.

06-27-2006, 12:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Gahid Registared User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,006 +0 Internets	You should get your own TV show. Call yourself a neopsychic and call all the other ALLEGED psychics out to be the PHONYS that they are!