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dimossi
Skeptic Friend
USA
141 Posts |
 Posted - 02/12/2002 : 10:52:49
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Good show on tonight at 9 PM EST and again at midnight:
On TLC -
Unmasked: Exposing the Secrets of Deception
Hoaxes are revealed as experts demonstrate how crop circles are actually man-made,
how seances are staged, and how mind readers dupe their clients.
http://tlc.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=550819000
"Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of this astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy." [Carl Sagan]
Edited by - dimossi on 02/12/2002 10:53:55
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2002 : 11:07:19 [Permalink]
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That ought to be a good one. Alas, I don't have cable, so a report on the show would be appreciated..
Thanks,
f
"They will take away my Darwin Fish only when they pry it from my cold, dead bumper!" |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2002 : 15:08:56 [Permalink]
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quote:
That ought to be a good one. Alas, I don't have cable, so a report on the show would be appreciated..
Thanks,
f
"They will take away my Darwin Fish only when they pry it from my cold, dead bumper!"
Me either. We'll check back. Thanks BTW, I forget where but I have seen a show similar to that. The crop circles are a couple of guys that go in at night with some tools that flaten the wheat. Sorry to ruin that part of the show for ya!
But anyway, please do let us know what they showed.
*
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
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Donnie B.
Skeptic Friend
417 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2002 : 19:30:20 [Permalink]
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OK, here's your report:
The show was a repeat (in fact, it's still going on as I write this, but I decided not to sit through the rest).
It exposes some techniques of Vegas gambling cheats, spiritualists and mediums, "psychic" tricks, and the Peter Popoff faith-healing scam.
You may have seen it yourself. The seance scene is memorable: the medium is tied into his chair and the victim keeps her feet on his toes. Except, the medium's shoes have no backs, so he can slip his feet out, and the arms of the chair pop right off, freeing his hands. So he can ring a bell and move things around in the dark.
-- Donnie B.
Brian: "No, no! You have to think for yourselves!" Crowd: "Yes! We have to think for ourselves!" |
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Xev
Skeptic Friend
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2002 : 20:02:20 [Permalink]
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He debunks Peter Popoff - 'parently, the bastard had his audience fill out 'prayer cards' and had his wife read the things to him via wireless. Then, he lets mass suggestion do the rest.
Next, we do seances. The medium is tied down, contacter places thier feet over the mediums. Then the lights are turned out, and the objects on a table begin to levitate. And a bell rings.
'Parently, the medium slips their feet out of thier shoes, and uses thier feet to ring a bell. The chair arms come off, and the medium uses a pole to raise the objects on the table. Then, it is simply a matter of slipping back into position.
He shows the way a thin thread can be used to move a object around. Loop it around both thumbs, loop the thread around the object, and move hands around.
Also, they deal with a bunch of blackjack scams. One involves covering the bottom of a glass with wax, then tapping a stack of chips (for good luck!) with the botom of the cup. One chip sticks to the wax.
Another scam involves making a container that looks like a stack of chips, and slipping the cup over a stack of high value chips. Then the cup is taken away.
Psychic surgeons: Patient is told to lay on back, then surgeon kneads stomach. Then surgeon preforms slight of hand to make it look like he has shoved his hands deep into the patient's flesh. The surgeon breaks a baggie of stage blood so that it looks like he has started bleeding. The surgeon uses a palmed peice of meat and pretends to pull it out. Then the surgeon cleans off the stage blood.
Crop circles: Thanks Snake, exactly what happens.
Edit to add: Thanx Donnie. And sorry guys, I'm really busy with classes, there was more about the casinos, and one more psychic trick, but I didn't mention it.
Xev -Ad astra!- Bellringer
Edited by - Xev on 02/12/2002 20:04:26 |
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dimossi
Skeptic Friend
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2002 : 21:05:17 [Permalink]
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Thanks: Donnie B, Snake, and filthy
I was ready to report on the show, (I even took notes), but it looks like you guys have covered it all.
I had actually seen part of this show before as well. I hope there are plans for future shows that expose these deceptive blood suckers like that Peter Popoff and the numerous claimed "psychics".
"Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of this astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy." [Carl Sagan] |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2002 : 23:51:00 [Permalink]
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quote:
Thanks: Donnie B, Snake, and filthy
I was ready to report on the show, (I even took notes), but it looks like you guys have covered it all.
I had actually seen part of this show before as well. I hope there are plans for future shows that expose these deceptive blood suckers like that Peter Popoff and the numerous claimed "psychics".
Yea! From all that's been said about what they showed, it sounds like exactaly what I saw. Gee, looks like we don't need cable after all.
Damn, I can't remember where I saw it. Could it have been the Randi show on PBS?
Anyway, I'm sure there will chances to see it again or something like it. Of course you could call or write some stations and let them know that you'd like to see that stuff, I think it could help.
*
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2002 : 05:16:07 [Permalink]
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It was kind of dopey. I shut it off before it was done. Judd Nelsen was in this blue alley with a pseudo-serious look on his face.
Where are these blue alleys?
I think the Popoff thing might have been shown on 20/20 ten or more years ago.
It wasn't bad if you've never seen this stuff before. I'm sure some people were educated by it. I don't think I'd ever seen all the stuff about cheating before, although I've seen some of it.
I probably missed one or two good things by turning it off early.
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2002 : 05:37:51 [Permalink]
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quote:
He shows the way a thin thread can be used to move a object around. Loop it around both thumbs, loop the thread around the object, and move hands around.
As a charter member of the Royal Order of Amateur Magicians Who Despise Public Knowledge and Want to Eviscerate Those Who Reveal Trade Secrets, I'm afraid I must insist that you now forget this.
I'll help: You are getting sleepy. You'll do everything I say. Thread does not exist.
P.S. For the rest of what I say that you'll do, just check your private mail. Oops, did I say that?
My kids still love me. |
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Xev
Skeptic Friend
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2002 : 16:23:48 [Permalink]
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Oh yes, I believe that the thread used was fishing wire.
Neener neener neener!
Xev -Ad astra!- Bellringer |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2002 : 01:11:21 [Permalink]
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quote:
As a charter member of the Royal Order of Amateur Magicians Who Despise Public Knowledge and Want to Eviscerate Those Who Reveal Trade Secrets, I'm afraid I must insist that you now forget this.
I'll help: You are getting sleepy. You'll do everything I say. Thread does not exist.
P.S. For the rest of what I say that you'll do, just check your private mail. Oops, did I say that?
Dman it, Garrette. Is that you causing my headache. It's difficult to think with this pain and I am getting sleepy.
BTW, I love the Magic Castle. A fun place. And don't worry, I can't figure out how they do any of those illusions.
*
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2003 : 21:57:25 [Permalink]
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Hello.
Didn't want to start a new folder so I found one that mentioned TV.
I'm so excited I had to tell someone, maybe you will understand.
Today, one of my 3 all time dreams came true.
The 1st two have still yet to be realized. They are, as a young child I wanted to have a horse, the next one as a teenager to own a Corvette and the 3rd at about 1975 or so when TV recorders came on the market, 10 years too late to tape THE ALL TIME best TV show EVER, I wished I had a tape of all the episodes.
But guess what.....today I bought it on disks.
The 2 seasons of 'Outer Limits'.
A happier man on the planet you can't find.
Thank you for listening.
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walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2003 : 10:15:37 [Permalink]
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Hi Snake!
Was that the new Outer Limits, or the original? Both are, of course, excellent. A friend of mine recently purchased a tape that contains the entire first season of the original, for about $85. He considered it to be well worth the price!
I also like the old Twilight Zone, especially the one where Burgess Merideth is the last man on Earth, so he finally has the time to read without anyone nagging at him about it. He then proceeds to break his glasses, of course! |
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
| Edited by - walt fristoe on 09/06/2003 10:17:32 |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2003 : 16:25:11 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by walt fristoe
Hi Snake!
Was that the new Outer Limits, or the original? Both are, of course, excellent. A friend of mine recently purchased a tape that contains the entire first season of the original, for about $85. He considered it to be well worth the price!
There is only ONE 'Outer Limits' IMO. It was made in the 60s and remakes or whatever are never as good. Having said that.....I must admit I've not seen the so called new one. I think maybe once I did happen to come in the middle of one show and didn't know what it was, started watching it. It wasn't all that bad but somehow I never got into the show. I will probably watch it sometime in the future when it's in re-runs. Don't know when it started airing, though.
I 1st saw the CD's of the show while in an electronic store with my room mate. I don't go into them often, only when he needs something. To kill time I brozzed the video section and SUDDENLY, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was ready right there and then to buy it at about $70. (too excited to notice it was only the 1st season). My friend said..WAIT. I didn't want to but did think it was over priced. He won. I went home and looked on the Internet and did find it cheaper but then saw it was only the 1st season. My friend said in a couple of weeks it will be on sale, I didn't trust him....Skeptic that I am, LOL. I went to another video store the next day to see if they had it, and was told soon that both seasons would be out. So I did decided to waite.
And wah la, sure enough a major store had them on sale. If you bought both at the same time you got a discount. I won't tell you what I paid, so your friend won't have a heart attack. BUT he is lucky non the less to have it, I would have done the same thing and still believed it was worth every penny.
BTW, I think they still hold up in the world of today. Sure, you can find things to 'laugh' about or that are primitive, but they are not corney like a 50s 'B' Sci-fi movie.
quote:
I also like the old Twilight Zone, especially the one where Burgess Merideth is the last man on Earth, so he finally has the time to read without anyone nagging at him about it. He then proceeds to break his glasses, of course!
I have them too, bought them a few months ago at Costco.
Funny you should mention that episode. I was telling my room mate on the way home from buying 'Outer Limits' yesterday about that vary episode, in comparing the two shows and how they were different, since he didn't know about OL.
The Burgess Merideth one is a classic defining show for TZ. |
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