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The Man Who Contacts The Dead | Derren Brown Investigates FULL EPISODE

Derren Brown・2 minutes read

A narrator investigates psychic medium Joe Power, observing his readings with clients and questioning the authenticity of his abilities, leading to doubts and skepticism surrounding the practice of mediumship.

Insights

  • Joe Power, a psychic medium, charges up to 40 pounds for readings, impressing clients with accurate details about deceased loved ones, but his abilities are questioned due to discrepancies and connections to familiar individuals like his sister's neighbor Vonda, highlighting potential authenticity issues in mediumship.
  • Despite claims of genuine mediumship, Joe Power's readings show reliance on techniques like cold reading, raising skepticism about his abilities and the impact on bereaved individuals seeking comfort, as the investigation reveals discrepancies and questionable connections in his sessions, emphasizing the complexities and doubts surrounding psychic mediumship.

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Recent questions

  • What is cold reading?

    Cold reading involves techniques like Barnum statements and recapping information provided by the audience.

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Summary

00:00

Investigating Psychic Medium Joe Power in Britain

  • The narrator is an Aries who uses magic, psychology, and showmanship in his work, not paranormal abilities.
  • He embarks on a journey to investigate people claiming to have paranormal abilities, starting in Liverpool with psychic medium Joe Power.
  • Joe Power allows the narrator to spend a few days with him to witness his abilities to communicate with the dead.
  • In today's Britain, anyone can claim to be a medium without training or a license, leading to a boom in psychic mediumship during uncertain times.
  • Joe Power charges up to 40 pounds for readings to connect individuals with their deceased loved ones.
  • The narrator observes Joe's reading session with a client named Vonda, where Joe accurately connects with her deceased loved ones.
  • Joe impresses the narrator with specific details about Vonda's deceased loved ones, including a reference to a visit to see the Pope in 1981.
  • The narrator accompanies Joe to the set of Hollyoaks to read the actors, where Joe impresses them with accurate insights and connections to their deceased loved ones.
  • The narrator also attempts non-psychic mind reading with actress Claire Cooper, successfully revealing personal details about her life.
  • The narrator reflects on the crossover between his work and Joe's abilities, acknowledging the comfort and belief people find in mediums like Joe who claim to communicate with the dead.

17:16

"Joe's Mediumship: Reassurance Over Evidence"

  • People seeking readings care more about reassurance than evidence of contact with the dead.
  • Joe's claims of contacting the dead show a common theme of using numbers.
  • Joe's ambition is evident as he progresses to a sellout show in his psychic medium career.
  • At the show, Joe impresses the audience with hits and stories of real tragedy.
  • Joe interacts with the audience, making connections and revealing personal details through techniques like cold reading.
  • Cold reading involves techniques like Barnum statements and recapping information provided by the audience.
  • Joe denies using cold reading, attributing his success to his gift of mediumship.
  • Professor Wiseman suggests that similar results can be achieved through cold reading.
  • Joe declines a scientific test to prove his abilities, citing the need for dialogue in his mediumship.
  • Despite skepticism, Joe continues to believe in his abilities and refuses to undergo scientific testing.

32:52

"Medium's readings spark skepticism and doubt"

  • A woman responded to an ad in the local paper and agreed to be read by Joe, using a fictitious name and address.
  • The woman, Rose (or Pam), sought contact with the deceased and had experienced a loss in her life, specifically her older sister who had breast cancer.
  • Joe claimed that if someone died, they would find a way to communicate with the living, leading Rose to believe her sister might reach out.
  • Joe began a reading with Rose, mentioning her father in the spirit world and questioning her about her children, hinting at a connection with her mother and a separation in the family.
  • Joe also mentioned a Jimmy or James connection, which Rose denied, leading to a discussion about skepticism and the importance of distinguishing between real and fake mediums.
  • Joe's reading with Rose did not go well, with discrepancies in information provided, leading to doubts about his abilities and methods.
  • Joe's reading with another woman, Vonda, was more successful, with accurate information provided, but later it was discovered that Vonda was Joe's sister's neighbor, raising questions about the authenticity of the reading.
  • The contrast between the two readings with Rose and Vonda highlighted the complexities of mediumship and the potential for both genuine connections and skepticism.
  • The investigation into Joe's readings raised doubts about the authenticity of his abilities, with concerns about cold reading and the impact on the bereaved individuals seeking comfort and closure.
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