posted July 19, 2009 09:37 PM            

I don't know what's esoteric about what he does. It seems like he's an illusionist.

It seems like he is doing the same stuff that James Randi has been doing. Houdini was also a debunker of mediums, and it seems like the was the pioneer of illusionists debunking metaphysical practitioners.

I saw his video on Astrology.

I didn't like it....it was like he was portraying Astrology as bogosity.

that's just my view.

I looked him up on the internet

site says:

Derren Brown is a unique force in the world of illusion - he can seemingly predict and control human behaviour.

He doesn't claim to be a mind-reader, instead he describes his craft as a mixture of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship.

Whatever you choose to call it, his unparalleled performances amaze and unsettle all those who watch him. This is a powerful and provocative form of entertainment, unlikely to be imitated for a long while.
http://www.derrenbrown.co.uk/

Raymond

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“It is absolutely the perfect name,” Dr. Brown said, given the continuing discord among astronomers and the public over whether Pluto should have retained its planetary status.

In mythology, Eris ignited discord that led to the Trojan War.

posted July 19, 2009 10:14 PM            

James Randi demonstrates how to fake psychic powers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJQBljC5RIo

James Randi on Astrology http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dp2Zqk8vHw&feature=related

James Randi and an Astrologer (Jonathan Cainer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDhxcIaC23k

James Randi Speaks: My Horoscope http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flZXJ-Ewsn4

James Randi and Star-Sign Compatibility http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3PuMvy_28&feature=fvw

Here is a Derren Brown Interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xswt8B8-UTM&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=55A986E56B106611

I see nothing wrong with critical thinking and being a skeptic as long as it's not being rigid that you cannot consider other's views.

I do believe in metaphysical stuff, and so just because a person debunks a person that is practicing metaphysical subject doesn't necessarily mean that the metaphysical subject is bogus.

However, looking at Astrology from an objective standpoint, barnum/forer effect could be a factor in why Astrology seems to work. I have talked about those possibilities before.

A person could even relate to sign placements in his/her charts because there are other things that are similar. A person can relate to having Sun in Scorpio, but he/she has a Sun trine Pluto. A person thinks that he/she has a Moon in Pisces, but he/she has Moon oppose Neptune. A person might think that he/she has a Sun in Aquarius, but he/she might actually have a Sun in aspect to the Uranus Nodes. A person might relate to having Moon in Aries, but he/she have a Moon conjunct Mars/Jupiter midpoint.

many of my own tropical sign placements can be explained by other astrological configurations.

Raymond
retrograde Saturn in Gemini in 9th
Mercury contraparallel Saturn

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“It is absolutely the perfect name,” Dr. Brown said, given the continuing discord among astronomers and the public over whether Pluto should have retained its planetary status.

In mythology, Eris ignited discord that led to the Trojan War.