Psychics R-Us

wasapi · 7th November 2019, 11:44 AM

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/...cid=spartandhp

I came across an interesting article, written by a former employee of a phone service for people to call - with a charge - for advise from a psychic. Funny at times.

Griffyn · 7th November 2019, 11:55 AM

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...works-psychics

And this in today's Guardian...

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wasapi · 7th November 2019, 12:52 PM

Yes, the one i found was from the Huffington Post.

Bikewer · 8th November 2019, 06:19 AM

Some years ago, our local tabloid, The Riverfront Times, ran an expose article by a reporter who’d signed up for one of those telephone-psychic outfits. “No experience required!”

It was interesting, since mostly the “psychics” were given scripts to read... But also sad, since many of the folks calling in had terrible personal programs and were just looking for a willing ear... And they were willing to pay for same.

Loss Leader · 9th November 2019, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bikewer

It was interesting, since mostly the “psychics” were given scripts to read... But also sad, since many of the folks calling in had terrible personal programs and were just looking for a willing ear... And they were willing to pay for same.

You know, I read an article where they compared blinded patient satisfaction talking to a licensed therapist with that of patients talking to completely untrained college students (believing they were therapists). Satisfaction was the same. Then they had patients speak to a therapist over a speakerphone. Then they had patients speak to a speakerphone that had nobody on the other end. Satisfaction was the same.

So maybe, in a very small way, phone psychics are providing a benefit. I mean, we know that people who believe feel better after consulting a psychic. So long as they're not charging more than therapy and they're not charging for hexes or magic spells, maybe they're not doing a disservice?

You know what: as I wrote that, I realized how wrong I was. Licensed therapists can spot issues that need actual medical intervention - from medication for mood support, to serious intervention for neurological disorders. Also, insurance generally pays for some part of it.

Whatever good a generally upbeat and sympathetic psychic might do is outweighed mightily by the financial, medical and psychological harm their lack of training will cause.

Bikewer · 10th November 2019, 07:11 AM

In my first police job, I spent several years in “communications”, fielding calls from the public. I rapidly became aware that many of these folks didn’t really want a police report or any response whatever.... They just wanted to vent, to know someone was listening.

Cris · 11th November 2019, 02:10 PM

Quackery?

autumn1971 · 13th November 2019, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Bikewer

In my first police job, I spent several years in “communications”, fielding calls from the public. I rapidly became aware that many of these folks didn’t really want a police report or any response whatever.... They just wanted to vent, to know someone was listening.

I work at a gas station; it is amazing what people talk to me about.

7th November 2019, 11:44 AM	#1
wasapi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 13,114	Psychics R-Us https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/...cid=spartandhp I came across an interesting article, written by a former employee of a phone service for people to call - with a charge - for advise from a psychic. Funny at times.
	__________________ Julia

7th November 2019, 11:55 AM	#2
Griffyn New Blood Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 1	https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...works-psychics And this in today's Guardian... Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Griffyn New Blood Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 1

7th November 2019, 12:52 PM	#3
wasapi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 13,114	Yes, the one i found was from the Huffington Post.
	__________________ Julia

9th November 2019, 11:38 PM	#5
Loss Leader I would save the receptionist. Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 27,719	Originally Posted by Bikewer It was interesting, since mostly the “psychics” were given scripts to read... But also sad, since many of the folks calling in had terrible personal programs and were just looking for a willing ear... And they were willing to pay for same. You know, I read an article where they compared blinded patient satisfaction talking to a licensed therapist with that of patients talking to completely untrained college students (believing they were therapists). Satisfaction was the same. Then they had patients speak to a therapist over a speakerphone. Then they had patients speak to a speakerphone that had nobody on the other end. Satisfaction was the same. So maybe, in a very small way, phone psychics are providing a benefit. I mean, we know that people who believe feel better after consulting a psychic. So long as they're not charging more than therapy and they're not charging for hexes or magic spells, maybe they're not doing a disservice? You know what: as I wrote that, I realized how wrong I was. Licensed therapists can spot issues that need actual medical intervention - from medication for mood support, to serious intervention for neurological disorders. Also, insurance generally pays for some part of it. Whatever good a generally upbeat and sympathetic psychic might do is outweighed mightily by the financial, medical and psychological harm their lack of training will cause.
	__________________ I have the honor to be Your Obdt. S^t L. Leader

13th November 2019, 09:22 PM	#8
autumn1971 Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,280	Originally Posted by Bikewer In my first police job, I spent several years in “communications”, fielding calls from the public. I rapidly became aware that many of these folks didn’t really want a police report or any response whatever.... They just wanted to vent, to know someone was listening. I work at a gas station; it is amazing what people talk to me about.
autumn1971 Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,280	__________________ 'A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggardly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking knave, a whoreson, glass-gazing, superservicable, finical rogue;... the son and heir of a mongral bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition."' -The Bard

8th November 2019, 06:19 AM	#4
Bikewer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 12,864	Some years ago, our local tabloid, The Riverfront Times, ran an expose article by a reporter who’d signed up for one of those telephone-psychic outfits. “No experience required!” It was interesting, since mostly the “psychics” were given scripts to read... But also sad, since many of the folks calling in had terrible personal programs and were just looking for a willing ear... And they were willing to pay for same.

10th November 2019, 07:11 AM	#6
Bikewer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 12,864	In my first police job, I spent several years in “communications”, fielding calls from the public. I rapidly became aware that many of these folks didn’t really want a police report or any response whatever.... They just wanted to vent, to know someone was listening.

11th November 2019, 02:10 PM	#7
Cris Banned Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Portugal/Brazil Posts: 123	Quackery?