(Old) Newbie

[Oldcodger]

Hi There. I've just re-joined the forum, my old computer expired and new one doesn't support outlook express so old e-mail expired as well.

I'm surrounded by woo at home, mrs oldcodger is of the opinion that some psychics must be real even though she admits some are likely to be fake. I'm trying to convince her that they're all fake/deluded and I'm making a bit of progress but it's hard going. Her daughter (my stepdaughter) is totally overboard, psychics, crystal healing, the whole shebang and as she lives next door to us I get it from both sides. I've lost count of the times I've been called close minded.

Last christmas mrs oldcodger decided to get daughter some crystals. Whilst we were in the new age/crystal shop I said to her with tongue firmly in cheek that we ought to be careful as all these crystals have different powers and if they were just thrown together in a jar the different powers might react badly and it could be dangerous She looked quite worried and asked the assistant if there was any danger while I tried hard not to snigger. Anyway it turned out there was no danger, not surprising really as they're just pretty pieces of rock without any magic powers.

OK I know it was mean but it made me laugh.

Anyhow, good to be back and I look forward to joining in the discussions.

[skbuncks]

Welcome back oldcodger.

Do you think your daughter would be up for a blinded trial of her magic crystals?

Its really quite simple to design:
1) Have daughter pick some crystals for a trial which have a particular effect for which she believes they are effective.
2) Put crystals in an opaque sealed bag (say black velvet sealed with a zip tie).
3) Put some stones (or even different crystals) or similar weight and size in an identical bag.
4) Have her carry round, or do whatever she is supposed to do, each bag for a set period of time (say a couple of weeks) and keep a diary of their effect.
5) Compare the effects and note any differences
6) Reveal what was in each bag
7) Gloat

skb

[Oldcodger]

Sadly no. She's a lovely girl but doesn't want to hear anything that would challenge her beliefs. I've tried to get her to at least consider an alternative view, particularly when it come to psychics but she insists that they are the real deal and really are in contact with the spirit world, not to mention how they help the police solve murders and missing person cases. She has books by Derek Acorah, Sylvia Brown, Sally Morgan etc. and believes everything they say.

It's a shame because they don't have much money, they're expecting a baby soon and it saddens me to see her waste money on this stuff.

Probably a lost cause but I'll keep trying anyway. I'm a Southampton supporter so at least I'm used to lost causes. :smiley:

[asthmatic camel]

And the woos accuse skeptics of being close-minded.

*SIGH*