# I am going to see a medium tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 28, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495 "2014-05-28T19:49:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/21 "2014-05-28T21:33:18Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Good luck, and amazing how strong the detractors are here, reminds me of the Wizard of Oz when he said don’t pay attention to that man behind the curtain. He said that _because_ he was the fraud behind the curtain. Are you the only person on earth that didn’t get that point? ---
**Author:** ![fuchsiagroan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9de0a6/32.png) [@fuchsiagroan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuchsiagroan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/22 "2014-05-28T21:52:27Z")
My sister comforted herself with (my opinion) delusions of our deceased grandfather and his favorite coffee pot. She made it up for herself. It couldn’t hurt any worse than a half hearted fantasy when it’s too cold. Horoscopes and fortune cookies and all that still sell. Is anyone responsible for how seriously anyone else takes that stuff? So long as you know not to get sucked in too much… What harm could it do? I didn’t believe my sister but I didn’t try to crush what she wanted to feel better. Death is hard and the hardest part is every day, anyway ---
**Author:** ![StayseaDee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@StayseaDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StayseaDee)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/23 "2014-05-28T21:56:59Z")
I guess I’m with the minority that enjoys psychic readings. I have been to maybe 10 readings and loved every one of them, but maybe that’s because I don’t live by what I’m told. I look at it as “for entertainment purposes only”. I even traveled to Lilydale, NY, which is a community of psychics/mediums. I can’t say that I believe everything I hear, especially when my “grandma that loves playing cards and planting”- preferred puzzles and Judge Judy. I’ve seen complete frauds, but I have also seen people that changed my mind about being able to communicate with the deceased or see into the future. I think if you go into it with an open mind, knowing it’s only for fun, maybe you would enjoy it too, delsina363. I went in April, a year since my gram had passed away. The medium gave me a message from her and it made me feel good. Even if I later found out he was a fraud, it still made me feel good. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/24 "2014-05-28T22:03:42Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Good luck, and amazing how strong the detractors are here, reminds me of the Wizard of Oz when he said don’t pay attention to that man behind the curtain. > > Explore life for yourself and don’t let any other person try to convince you otherwise based on their limitations and fears. Speaking of logical fallacies. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/25 "2014-05-28T22:21:35Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > He said that _because_ he was the fraud behind the curtain. Are you the only person on earth that didn’t get that point? Hey I can have fun too ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/26 "2014-05-28T22:29:53Z")
> [@StayseaDee](#): > > I guess I’m with the minority that enjoys psychic readings. I have been to maybe 10 readings and loved every one of them, but maybe that’s because I don’t live by what I’m told. I look at it as “for entertainment purposes only”. I even traveled to Lilydale, NY, which is a community of psychics/mediums. > I can’t say that I believe everything I hear, especially when my “grandma that loves playing cards and planting”- preferred puzzles and Judge Judy. I’ve seen complete frauds, but I have also seen people that changed my mind about being able to communicate with the deceased or see into the future. > I think if you go into it with an open mind, knowing it’s only for fun, maybe you would enjoy it too, delsina363. I went in April, a year since my gram had passed away. The medium gave me a message from her and it made me feel good. Even if I later found out he was a fraud, it still made me feel good. who have you seen that changed your mind about communicating with the dead or seeing into the future? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/27 "2014-05-28T22:33:24Z")
> [@fuchsiagroan](#): > > My sister comforted herself with (my opinion) delusions of our deceased grandfather and his favorite coffee pot. She made it up for herself. It couldn’t hurt any worse than a half hearted fantasy when it’s too cold. Horoscopes and fortune cookies and all that still sell. Is anyone responsible for how seriously anyone else takes that stuff? So long as you know not to get sucked in too much… What harm could it do? I didn’t believe my sister but I didn’t try to crush what she wanted to feel better. Death is hard and the hardest part is every day, anyway Half-hearted fantasies won’t lie to your face while draining your(or your loved one’s)bank account. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/28 "2014-05-28T23:06:25Z")
> [@fuchsiagroan](#): > > My sister comforted herself with (my opinion) delusions of our deceased grandfather and his favorite coffee pot. I talked to your grandfather and he told me why he liked that coffee pot. Let’s see if I can channel him again… > [@fuchsiagroan's grandfather](#): > > That damn thing? All I liked about it was that it was paid for and didn’t slosh all over the table. What I wanted was one like at church. Fifty cups at once! But no, “you’re supposed to cut down on your caffeine, Grandpa.” Did I ever tell you that I hate being called Grandpa? Call me by my given name, which was… Then he faded out, but I got a vision of the letter M or B or T. Do any of those letters mean anything to you? Now where’s my twenty bucks? > [@fuchsiagroan's grandfather](#): > > Twenty? Make it forty and I’ll split it with you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/29 "2014-05-28T23:25:37Z")
If I were you, I’d hold out for the Stupendous Yappi. ---
**Author:** ![StayseaDee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@StayseaDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StayseaDee)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/30 "2014-05-29T00:18:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > who have you seen that changed your mind about communicating with the dead or seeing into the future? Tim Brainard. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/31 "2014-05-29T00:27:08Z")
Please describe how he proved to you he’s not yet another new-agey huckster, because his holistic, psychic fair schtick makes me suspect he is not what you think he is. Include every detail you can recall of what he asked, said, did, or especially heard prior to his revelation. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/32 "2014-05-29T00:39:12Z")
Delsina. What you are actually doing is paying someone to insult your intelligence. When this alleged psychic is finished with the performance he/she is laughing at you behind your back. Do you really want to put yourself in that position? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/33 "2014-05-29T01:52:22Z")
> [@delsina363](#): > > Hi Czarcasm, her name is Maureen Hancock. I have never heard of her, but my sister’s friend said she was famous. I googled her and she has been on t.v. shows, specials, etc. > > And yes, I am willing to put aside my overwhelming doubt. I am not easily fooled, so she probably will not even talk to me, but what if she does? I want so desperately to believe ☹ I must say … she looks like a very honest and trustworthy woman and she has a really lovely dog. Anyone who owns a dog like that figures on being extremely trustworthy and very competent in their profession. I would certainly trust her with my future in her hands. > **[Maureen Hancock](https://maureenhancock.com/)** > > intuitive teacher | holistic healer | author Just take a look at that dog! How could anyone not trust a face like that? j/k Ummmm … you know … I feel kind of guilty now because I wrote this post originally in the spirit of just having some fun by writing a kind of joke. But now that I’ve posted it, I feel guilty because it was really a very bad joke to imply that someone should be trusted based on what their dog looks like. And yet … I’m wondering why this lady put a picture of her dog on the front page of her web site? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/34 "2014-05-29T03:14:48Z")
> [@delsina363](#): > > Take it easy. I am not selling her my children, or going on a crusade to give her props. I am just going to see for myself, that is all. Maybe after tonight, I will buy that lucky penny. 😉 Delsina, I guess you Are near NJ. From her pics she has super-bright platinum blonde hair, a fun smile, and (I hear) a wicked Boston accent. (She’s super happily married so I can get away with saying these things) She almost never comes this far south, even when its nice beach weather. You really were lucky to get tickets. FTR- I hope she treats you well & leaves you happy! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/35 "2014-05-29T08:48:05Z")
Recommended reading: [_Asterix and the Soothsayer_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterix_and_the_Soothsayer). A fraudulent fortune-teller shows up in the Gaulish village and hoodwinks some of the silly females of the village into buying his stories. Asterix and Getafix concoct a scheme (complete with magic potions) to make a monkey of him, both in the sight of the other villagers, but to the Romans too. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/36 "2014-05-29T08:53:39Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > When this alleged psychic is finished with the performance he/she is laughing at you behind your back. Do you really want to put yourself in that position? Point of order: Nearly all psychics and other “woo” artists genuinely believe in the bullshit they are peddling. Ergo, they don’t secretly laugh at anyone (unlike Wall Street CEO’s and other con artists) nor to they believe they have “ripped off” anyone – they are True Believers, nearly all of them. (There’s a psychological term for this syndrome, but the word presently escapes me…) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/37 "2014-05-29T08:56:54Z")
If you’re looking for something, check Craig’s List before you go… ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/38 "2014-05-29T09:17:23Z")
Does this person also advertise “private” sessions for another fee? Do they sell books and videos? Please do something, when you go to the event, count the number of people there, multiply that by the cost of tickets, add in the number of books and other items sold, add in the number of people who pay for private sessions, subtract the cost of the room, and get back to us with a number. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/39 "2014-05-29T10:53:55Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Recommended reading: [_Asterix and the Soothsayer_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterix_and_the_Soothsayer). > > A fraudulent fortune-teller shows up in the Gaulish village and hoodwinks some of the silly females of the village into buying his stories. Asterix and Getafix concoct a scheme (complete with magic potions) to make a monkey of him, both in the sight of the other villagers, but to the Romans too. And what better way to debunk the supernatural than a genuine magic potion? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495/40 "2014-05-29T11:09:10Z")
Indeed, [what’s the harm?](http://whatstheharm.net) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-going-to-see-a-medium-tonight/689495.md?page=3)