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Originally Posted by pinworm
(Post 20164928)
They call that "cold reading" and it's how alleged psychics dupe the vulnerable.
1. A guy goes around to various towns in a drought stricken area and claims he can make it rain by beating on his drum. He even tells the town that they only have to pay if it actually rains. The guy then beats his drum. If it doesn't rain he leaves. If it does rain, he gets paid. 2. A change lady at the slot machines shows you the machine that will hit the jackpot. You don't even have to tip her if doesn't hit. Most of the time she doesn't get a tip, but occassionally it does hit. 3. The fortune teller gives you a money back guarantee that she can predict the sex of your next baby. She thus gets to keep 50% of the money that people give her. I could go on about the cab drivers that predict football winners, but you get the idea. |
Once when walking around Kuala Lumpur I was stopped by an Indian guy who started telling me about my past and a told me a bit about my future and offered to tell me more. It seemed like he wanted money for his "services". As I don't believe in fate and I think the future is what we make it I politely refused.
It was interesting, but not surprising. I can think of weirder things. |
Originally Posted by RRDD
(Post 20178161)
Your cab driver is using a variation of the mathematical consequence of "large numbers". Here are a few variations of the "trick":
1. A guy goes around to various towns in a drought stricken area and claims he can make it rain by beating on his drum. He even tells the town that they only have to pay if it actually rains. The guy then beats his drum. If it doesn't rain he leaves. If it does rain, he gets paid. |
Originally Posted by RRDD
(Post 20178161)
Your cab driver is using a variation of the mathematical consequence of "large numbers". Here are a few variations of the "trick":
1. A guy goes around to various towns in a drought stricken area and claims he can make it rain by beating on his drum. He even tells the town that they only have to pay if it actually rains. The guy then beats his drum. If it doesn't rain he leaves. If it does rain, he gets paid. 2. A change lady at the slot machines shows you the machine that will hit the jackpot. You don't even have to tip her if doesn't hit. Most of the time she doesn't get a tip, but occassionally it does hit. 3. The fortune teller gives you a money back guarantee that she can predict the sex of your next baby. She thus gets to keep 50% of the money that people give her. I could go on about the cab drivers that predict football winners, but you get the idea. Pay me $100 and I'll tell you the winner of tonight's game. If I'm wrong, I'll give you your money back. (Or better yet, I'll keep your money but give you a bunch of free picks for additional games.) But act quickly, because my information makes *this* game my 7-star Lock of the Year!! @:-) |
Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 20182855)
Your scenarios sound exactly like those handicappers who advertise on AM radio all the time.
Pay me $100 and I'll tell you the winner of tonight's game. If I'm wrong, I'll give you your money back. (Or better yet, I'll keep your money but give you a bunch of free picks for additional games.) But act quickly, because my information makes *this* game my 7-star Lock of the Year!! @:-) This is why AM radio tends to appeal to the old and the right wing. |
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