I seem to be having something of a pick on celebrities week but, let’s face it, they do make it easy, don’t they? And, just because something is easy, it doesn’t mean it isn’t fair game, in my opinion. Especially when people are being duped out of encouraged to part with their hard earned cash.
“Last year I was introduced to a team of psychics who each gave me a personal reading. They were fabulous and told me things about my life that made so much sense. I was amazed by their skills and accuracy and now you can benefit from their wonderful psychic talent through Destiny Calls.”
The above was is taken from Cilla’s Destiny Calls website — a new service in association with Cilla Black whereby you can talk to a live psychic (as opposed to a dead one, I suppose… though who knows?) on subjects ranging from love, relationships and dating. A fairly limited brief, for such a varied bunch of psychics, but there you go.
As with many such services, they do, of course, have numerous “success cases”. Among them, a young lady who was upset about an argument with her boyfriend who…
“… called Joanne [the psychic]. She was amazing and told me to be patient as he had a work problem. Everything is now fine again. “
Now, I could go on about cold reading techniques until I’m blue in the face, but I suspect that would be like preaching to the converted since most of you probably know how these people work. There’s nothing miraculous about it, it is, in fact, very simple — so simple that even I can do it. What I would rather focus on and question is the gullibility or, perhaps, cynicism of Ms Black.
I can only assume, as loathe as I am to give her the benefit of the doubt, that she genuinely believes in the abilities of these people based on what was probably a hot reading (this is a similar technique to the above-mentioned cold reading, but with research information added in… Ms Black is famous — there’s a great deal of information available about her and, with skill, the unknowable can quite often be deduced from available facts.) Even famous people can be gullible. Let’s face it, most of them believe their own hype — so believing a psychic when he tells you that “Bobby says you should get on with your life” surely doesn’t require that much extra effort.
But am I being too generous? This is a business, not a charity. Calls cost £1.50 per minute from a standard BT phone with a maximum call duration of twenty minutes. A lot of money is being made — and for what? To be told reassuring things from people who claim to be able to talk to the dead, amongst other things. People using techniques (and I use the term loosely) that have no basis in a scientifically supportable reality. Charlatans? Quite possibly… what am I saying? Most definitely.
Whatever her reasons for getting involved with this — her own gullibility or sheer greed — I find it deplorable that this kind of ridiculous venture is still allowed to profit. It’s all well and good saying that the people who use the services deserve all they get, but, frankly, that still doesn’t excuse this. It doesn’t even come close. At a vulnerable time, many who wouldn’t normally be so can be susceptible to such lunacy. They need protecting.
As for Ms Black? No, I don’t think she needs protecting. Nor do I really think she’s all that gullible, if I’m truthful. Her blatant attempts at trying to publicise this venture speak volumes to me. I seriously doubt that she’s doing this for the good of the people.
Money. Says it all, really, doesn’t it?
Pingback: Aussie Personals » Blog Archive » Destiny Calls… (Texts Cost £1. 50 Per Received Text.)
Ooh, this is SO my field. woo!
If you go to http://www.badpsychics.com you can find a lot of information about Cillas psychic hotline.
Infact Graham Norton and Dame Edna phoned this psychic hotline up on one episode of V. Graham Norton and the psychic was absolutely disgraceful.
Cilla has been in a lot of trouble over false advertising etc. and This Morning on ITV (?) were told off by Ofcom for pushing the phonelines throughout one of their shows which is against tv legislation or something.
I would predict (not that I’m psychic…) that the psychics at this hot line use cold reading – basically takes the Forer Effect to the extreme and people pay for the privelege.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the psychics didn’t have cards infront of them with sets of comments to choose from.
Either that, or they really ARE delusional and believe they have magic powers.
Firstly – Cilla Black is a nut-case!
Then as you take that into account you can come to the conclusion that she believes other nut-cases! Now I am not one to play around with such stuff – scares me the bejeebus it does – but these dicks are fakes and as such should be scorned!
It truly does, money drives the world and the world drives money
Thanks for that, Hayley! Unfortunately, I missed the Graham Norton episode you mentioned. Bugger! I must admit I’m almost tempted to give them a ring myself. I’m sure the results would make a great blog post! 😉
Well said, Will!
Very true, Damian. And some people will do anything to get it.
here you go, it’s on youtube.
Not a good advert for the phoneline at all.
Now that’s what I call simple! Hehehehe…
I’d be impressed with a psychic hotline that called me first. That’d lend some credence to the concept, IMO…
Brilliant, Hayley, I’ll go and take a look right away! Thank you, me dear 😉
Mike: Shut your face 🙂 I can see I’m going to have to have a word with the wife of yours; your behaviour is, quite simply, deplorable.
Yeah, that would be pretty impressive. I ain’t holding my breath, though 😉
Does it take the sting out when you think how I screwed up the blockquote tag? ‘Cause that’s pretty damned simple…
Well, I was going to mention that, funnily enough, but I held my chin high and decided that kind of thing was beneath me 😉
Pingback: If I Were an Alien… « Gary William Murning Online
I do not agree as ive had these people in various times in my life when ive needed strength
alone and at rock bottom. Never been cold read on any line and boy im too bright not to spot that! Profession lecturer!
They ask me nothing only that im over 18 and have bill payeres permission also have sensed what is wrong for me. I come off better understood and find the cost same as visiting a psychic so if willing to pay and happy why shouldnt people have right to have free will to dial for help? Have you all been lonely and at rock bottom yet?
Alison: there is a very good reason why people should not have the “right” to phone these charlatans. It’s the same reason why I don’t have, and would never wish to have, the right to be conned by someone who comes to my door selling snake oil. It isn’t about the victims “right”. It’s about whether it is right for people to sell a “product” that isn’t what it says it is, that doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. You may not agree, that is your privilege, but the simple fact of the matter is that many vulnerable people (people who need strength, are alone and at rock bottom) are being duped out of money — in some cases, their life savings — by psychics, and I find that sickening on two counts: 1) these people very deliberately set out to mislead and lie to people, and take money for the privilege; 2) we allow it to happen.
Have we all been lonely and at rock bottom? You know, that’s quite a silly and vaguely offensive question. But, since you ask it, yes. I have and many of my readers, I’m sure, also have. I didn’t turn to a psychic hotline. And I would never advise anyone else to do so. What would I advise?
The Samaritans. They won’t deceive you and their services are far cheaper.
(Incidentally, people like Derren Brown, the illusionist, can do everything that these frauds can. The difference is, he tells the truth and admits that there is nothing psychic about it. It’s a trick. Go to one of his mind reading shows, sometime, or just watch him on TV.)