# Psychics are phony, Mr. Police Officer, in case you didn't know. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 15, 2006, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779 "2006-04-15T13:23:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/61 "2017-11-21T17:44:17Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > The only thing I know about current psychics is their response to my emails in which I asked " How do you protect yourself legally from becoming a suspect". I think the reason for my question is obvious.\*\* But their response to my email was very unimpressive and had no information at all that would/could keep someone with psychic formation out of jail\*\*. It doesn’t take a psychic to know it’s because you didn’t pay them. How much were they charging? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/62 "2017-11-21T17:46:05Z")
This guy is round on both ends and very, very high in the middle. ---
**Author:** ![Ohioman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ohioman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ohioman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/63 "2017-11-21T17:52:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I didn’t ask a damn thing about how psychics stay out of jail-I asked you to name the best example of a real psychic out there. I think I made it clear that I don’t know anything about psychics, I was interested in my pressing question heard their name on a TV show and I emailed them. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/64 "2017-11-21T18:05:01Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > I think I made it clear that I don’t know anything about psychics, I was interested in my pressing question heard their name on a TV show and I emailed them. Come again? Your question heard their name on TV? ---
**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:** [November 21, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/65 "2017-11-21T18:07:27Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > I think I made it clear that I don’t know anything about psychics, I was interested in my pressing question heard their name on a TV show and I emailed them. You claim they are real: > [@Ohioman](#): > > No its real alright, but it is also very attractive to con men and that gives it a bad name. You even claim _you_ have these magic powers: > [@Ohioman](#): > > The thought of becoming a suspect keeps me quiet, but I can tell you the time line or progression of events that I did that eventually produced the ability in me. So, no-you did NOT make it clear you know nothing about the subject. You made it clear that it is a real phenomena and you made it clear that YOU possess this ability. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/66 "2017-11-21T18:20:22Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > The thought of becoming a suspect keeps me quiet, but I can tell you the time line or progression of events that I did that eventually produced the ability in me. FYI: This isn’t one of those message boards where people pretend to believe in your magic powers, you pretend to believe in their magic powers and everybody gets their egoboo for the day. ---
**Author:** ![Ohioman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ohioman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ohioman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/67 "2017-11-21T18:20:28Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Come again? Your question heard their name on TV? My question: how to protect yourself legally. Their response, if any response: the truth is a powerful thing. My conclusion: if he/she was a psychic then his/her information to law enforcement could very well put them in a suspect category, especially if it was the psychics first time in dealing with law enforcement. Also the term “psychic” needs to be defined here, because it’s nothing like in the movies, and if you people are going to continue with your unintelligent snipes then I’ll just move on. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/68 "2017-11-21T18:21:50Z")
If you’re psychic, why do you need to ask 'em anyway? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/69 "2017-11-21T18:23:44Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > My question: how to protect yourself legally. > Their response, if any response: the truth is a powerful thing. > My conclusion: if he/she was a psychic then his/her information to law enforcement could very well put them in a suspect category, especially if it was the psychics first time in dealing with law enforcement. > Also the term “psychic” needs to be defined here, because it’s nothing like in the movies, and if you people are going to continue with your unintelligent snipes then I’ll just move on. Please do. Move on that is. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/70 "2017-11-21T18:23:49Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > My question: how to protect yourself legally. > Their response, if any response: the truth is a powerful thing. > My conclusion: if he/she was a psychic then his/her information to law enforcement could very well put them in a suspect category, especially if it was the psychics first time in dealing with law enforcement. > Also the term “psychic” needs to be defined here, because it’s nothing like in the movies, and if you people are going to continue with your unintelligent snipes then I’ll just move on. Do you have any hard evidence that the ability exists at all? If not, then telling us how it works is about as pertinent as telling us how mermaids reproduce. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/71 "2017-11-21T18:29:43Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > My question: how to protect yourself legally. > Their response, if any response: the truth is a powerful thing. > My conclusion: if he/she was a psychic then his/her information to law enforcement could very well put them in a suspect category, especially if it was the psychics first time in dealing with law enforcement. > **Also the term “psychic” needs to be defined here, because it’s nothing like in the movies, and if you people are going to continue with your unintelligent snipes then I’ll just move on.** You’re the one being evasive. Almost like you’re guilty of something. ---
**Author:** ![Ohioman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ohioman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ohioman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/72 "2017-11-21T18:30:20Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You claim they are real: > You even claim _you_ have these magic powers: > So, no-you did NOT make it clear you know nothing about the subject. You made it clear that it is a real phenomena and you made it clear that YOU possess this ability. I know nothing about other people that claim to have the abilty, does that clear it up? I do know a workable amount about the abilty and how it develops. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/73 "2017-11-21T18:35:02Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > The thought of becoming a suspect keeps me quiet, but I can tell you the time line or progression of events that I did that eventually produced the ability in me. Well, that’s convenient. ---
**Author:** ![Ohioman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ohioman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ohioman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/74 "2017-11-21T18:35:17Z")
I’ll move on, I can plainly see there is no intelligence in your responces, there is only ignorance. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/75 "2017-11-21T18:35:44Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > I know nothing about other people that claim to have the abilty, does that clear it up? I do know a workable amount about the abilty and how it develops. No you don’t, and until you provide some solid evidence that it even exists I am as much an authority on the subject as you are. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/76 "2017-11-21T18:37:44Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > I’ll move on, I can plainly see _there is no intelligence in your responces_, there is only ignorance. Italics mine, and 'nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/77 "2017-11-21T18:39:45Z")
> [@Ohioman](#): > > I know nothing about other people that claim to have the abilty, does that clear it up? I do know a workable amount about the abilty and how it develops. Let’s hear some of it. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/78 "2017-11-21T18:48:39Z")
If psychics are real, why do _you_ have to call _them_? Why don’t they call you first and solve your problems? ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/79 "2017-11-21T18:51:49Z")
ISTM that the most damning evidence that psychics are playing pretend is that no one has (yet) been able to pass James Randi’s test and claim the million bucks. If you were the real thing wouldn’t you step forward and scoop up the moola? ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779/80 "2017-11-21T19:04:01Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > ISTM that the most damning evidence that psychics are playing pretend is that no one has (yet) been able to pass James Randi’s test and claim the million bucks. If you were the real thing wouldn’t you step forward and scoop up the moola? Not if you are a smart psychic, and using your powers to earn way more money than that. Stock market and/or sports betting comes immediately to mind. And if you also want to use your powers for good, you can call the various anonymous tips hotlines to help the police solve crimes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-are-phony-mr-police-officer-in-case-you-didnt-know/352779.md?page=5)