Loose Logic » derren brown

Richard Dawkins’ Interview with Derren Brown

Rob — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:46:31 +0000

This is the full, uncut interview from the documentary The Enemies of Reason. Richard Dawkins discusses psychics and skepticism with Derren Brown.

I can see the entertainment value in visiting a tarot card reader or a palmist with some friends for some fun, while not taking any stock in what the psychic says, but it quickly turns into a disgusting and dangerous act when people start to pay these crooks in a desperate attempt to speak with a dead loved one or use their advice for health problems, in the form of alternative medicine.

Derren Brown

Rob — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:55:46 +0000

Before seeing that Messiah video I posted earlier, I’d never heard of Derren Brown here in Canada. It seems he’s had quite a few interesting television specials. Here are a couple of clips:

This next one features Simon Pegg, which immediately makes it great.

Messiah

Rob — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:02:57 +0000

PZ Myers at Pharyngula posted the beginning of the BBC special Messiah, in which Derren Brown travels from England to America to try and convince five paranormal leaders that he possesses the powers they apparently practice.

It’s a fantastic programme that really shows how people can be easily manipulated when someone knows how to pick the right targets, read people, and plant suggestions. It’s fascinating to watch.

My favourite bit comes near the end, when he makes a small audience and a professional medium believe he’s contacting the dead. I can ignore, or even see the entertainment value, in fortune tellers and palm readers, but I absolutely despise spirit mediums. It warms my heart whenever someone takes time to expose them as frauds. There are a lot of disgusting ways to make a living in this world, and taking money from people by pretending to relay messages from their dead mothers ranks quite high, as far as I’m concerned.