Sensing bullshit

**Mekk** · 9th October 2007, 21:37

I force fed my way through another episode of Sensing Murder tonight and am amazed this show has enough ratings to stay afloat.

If TV is anything to go by, I'm worried about the lack of skepticism in a day and age where it requires it in order to discern information from misinformation. I personally think it's bloody shocking that psychics are even allowed to dupe people the way they do.

I'm sick of reading about psychics, their claimed "abilities" and the bullshit they construe...at a price!
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I have several main issues with Sensing Murder in particular:

- All of the cases they go after are at least 15 years old, usually more so that the public media storms are given enough time to die down and so that the facts of the cases are vague enough for anyone to remember and for them to use.

- They mention how they chose a murder case and picked from 75 "psychics" from NZ to come to 3 that were able to discern the certain details. Now if that were statistically speaking, you could have a giant failure percentage (96% to be exact) and have 3 coincidental guesses. They fail to mention how the test was carried out.

- The same ones are used each show, which guarantees succe- I mean acting continuity.

- They choose to read the photos of the victims face down and somehow are able to discern features of the people contained. Features that are distinguishable if you throw in lots of ums and ahs and catch a glimpse of an outline showing through the paper. Let's see them try it with the photos in an iron box. Of course they will say they need to hold the actual picture for them to be able to "sense" the spirit.

- They are then shown the picture of the victim. This leaves many things open to interpretation. They mention how the latest girl is bouncy, a trickster and a bit of a mischief maker. This could be ascribed to the features of her face and because the audience is accepting these facts (without verification from family members) it fits the mold very easily.

- They are brought to the locations of the crimes and are thus able to recall prior knowledge or information about the locations that mysteriously fit in with where they are...read: Symonds St Cemetery, Domain, Museum triangle.

- They are able to stereotype based on their surroundings very vaguely and very easily.

- They never actually SOLVE anything. They just provide maybe clues that the police had already come up with.

- I don't see "Police Psychic" anywhere as a valid job as it has been proven over and over that these people are dancing with coincidence and vague "facts".

- They use so-called private investigators to verify their claims instead of scientists, police and other trustworthy affiants.

- They regularly joke around with the "spirits" or whatever they're inventing in their heads which happen to be the idea of former loved ones. So called psychics have caused much pain to grieving families by giving them hope and being way off the mark (cough: Sylvia Browne) and joking around hardly helps.

- The "spirit" always seems to be playing with them, leading them on. It's a cute way of fitting in with their "mischievous" personality and fills the hour show conveniently. If I died and wanted revenge on my killer (hell yes) I'd fucken straight up tell them who killed me and where I was buried etc.

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So that's basically everything I can think of at this stage to rant about this piece of shit show that is playing on the unknown. I am sick of critical thinking taking a backseat to wild fantasies and scary music and feel that more people need to stand up and expose these frauds. Thanks.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 9th October 2007, 21:39

Originally Posted by Mekk

I force fed my way through another episode of Sensing Murder tonight and am amazed this show has enough ratings to stay afloat.

Thats casue you were watching it to help the ratings

even though you don't like it

**Mekk** · 9th October 2007, 21:43

A valid point, pointing out the inaccuracies turned into a bit of a game with the flatmates. Damned marketing got me again!

There are people out there that actually believe this shit though. If everyone knew it was a crock I'm sure they wouldn't watch it.

**bell** · 9th October 2007, 21:43

They had a 'behind the scenes' of Sensing Murder episode a few weeks back. It gave quite an insight into their methodologies. It certainly had me thinking twice about some of the issues you raise, as they are things that I've picked up on too. And yes, I'm more than a fraction sceptical.

**Mekk** · 9th October 2007, 21:46

I'd like to see a behind the scenes investigation run by scientists, not rating mongers.

**The Pastor** · 9th October 2007, 21:52

its all about the money man. don't let it get to you, switch of the devil box and go ride (/ fix if bike is broken) your bike!

**Mekk** · 9th October 2007, 21:55

Yeah, if I wasn't sick I wouldn't be wasting my time.

I was initially interested because the case was about K'Rd and surrounding areas and I hoped to see my house. Then I saw bullshit.

**jrandom** · 9th October 2007, 21:56

I don't watch television any more. It's all bullshit.

For that matter, I haven't watched a film in ages, and I've stopped keeping up with published reviews on new Hollywood pap.

Film may have been the great art form of the twentieth century, but its merits never really spilled over to the small screen. You know you're jaded when you cant even abide Star Trek any longer.

Never mind. When life gets really boring, one can just fire up a DVD of The Seventh Seal...

**Chickadee** · 9th October 2007, 22:31

Just wondered if you think all persons claiming to be psychic are full of shit

or just this programme?

**Mekk** · 9th October 2007, 22:47

I don't believe in any psychics. I just especially despise the ones that are making money from duping people.

**caesius** · 9th October 2007, 23:02

Yep you're absolutaly correct - it's a load of crap.

Every point you bring up is correct. Especially how if this information was any use, it would have been used.

This show pisses me off so much I could write pages about it. But that would be boring and non-retarded people already know it.

I suggest switching to channel 1/3. Or turning it off. That works well also I find, even when sick.

**MaxB** · 9th October 2007, 23:47

Friend of ours works in TV in Oz. She says the producer of their version of the show takes the selected mediums out for lunch before shooting starts to give them a breifing to "save time" since TV is so expensive to make. Wonder what they talk about?

**H00dz** · 10th October 2007, 04:36

Good post...I agree I'm a non-believer as well, I don't watch it if I can help it

**Laava** · 10th October 2007, 06:46

I agree, sensing murder is bogus! Saw an interesting documentary called Forgotten Silver a week or so back. Now that was some quality bogus TV!

**GaZBur** · 10th October 2007, 07:00

I see you guys doubt psychics. There is also a thread on Diana's inquest here on KB. Now you may not know that Diana was a great believer in psychics. Funnily enough not one of them bothered to tell her it may be a little dangerous getting into a speeding merc with a drugged driver in a Paris tunnel, although I believe one of her regular psychics had a "bad feeling" something was going to happen that day when asked afterwards. None of Diana's psychics have come up with the evidence of Murder either as far as I am aware or did the Royal family put out contracts on them as well to shut them up.