Fake Psychic - investigations by the BBC and others

Understand the implication of twisting the faith and belief of others by reviewing how psychics and mediums have worked their "magic" to fleece and distort the beliefs of folks.

The true-believer syndrome merits study by science. What is it that compels a person, past all reason, to believe the unbelievable. How can an otherwise sane individual become so enamored of a fantasy, an imposture, that even after it's exposed in the bright light of day he still clings to it — indeed, clings to it all the harder?… No amount of logic can shatter a faith consciously based on a lie. 

        — M. Lamar Keene and Allen Spraggett

Full BBC investigation podcast as "Fake Psychic" 

M Lamar Keene. Photograph: 1878 Press

Wikipedia Notes on Lamar here 

Guardian Article "Scam the bereaved, defraud the dead: the shocking crimes of America’s greatest psychic conman"  Here


See also about Camp Chesterfield scamming punters since 1891 and still at it in the 2000s.

Camp Chesterfield as founded in 1891 and is the home of the Indiana Association of Spiritualists, located in Chesterfield, Indiana. Camp Chesterfield offers Spiritualist Church services, seminary, and mediumship, faith healing, and spiritual development classes, as well as psychic readings for patrons.

As recent at 2002 Filed at centerforinquiry.org "Undercover Among the Spirits: Investigating Camp Chesterfield " 

See also Randi, James (1982), Flim-Flam!, Prometheus Books, ISBN 0-87975-198-3

and How to spot a fake psychic.

See also "How to cheat at everything" by Simon Lovell

Book Club best reads

 Joined a book club in first lock down and have been reading new and recycled books over the last couple of years. Some are found and re-read from the best books box in the attic, some new via Kindle or second hand via ebay / Amazon marketplace.

In no particular order - these are great reads.