If someone like Nostradamus appeared today

[Mattshark]

Sure they do. It's legal, in the United States, anyway, and if you're right, lucrative. What's more, other people might think you were smart.

No point keeping mum about something like that.

Here's a famous dude who wrote a book about it:

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57425590

Writing a book ought to do until "go round and tell everyone" shows up.

That's not quite what I meant! I mean running around on TV, or in anywhere on general interest sites etc. It doesn't happen, people make money on the stock market all the time, you don't have the "I'm psychic I made money on the stock market" thread though do we. That is my point.

[D1CKY D1AMOND]

Sorry, but I don't recall anyone saying that the largest bank in the world, would be worth 10% of what it was, only a year ago. This isn't just any bank. [bank of America] is the largest financial services company in the world, in terms of assets.

If you can find anyone who predicted this collapse, I'll show you a very wealthy man ... if he shorted the stock.

I would have made a fortune, and this is the second time that I could of done it.

If you are correct, then there should be some people bragging about the money they made, shorting the stock of B of A.

When you find "those" people, please let me know, because I want them to make a donation to [the Kiva.]

'Those' People have a controlling interest of 75% of the wealth in the US. They probably do brag but mostly to their friends which is clearly not you.

What you ask of me is near impossible, I don't know who controlled the shares in the bank all I know is that the US is broke because it spends more money then it makes and this tends to lead to things like major financial institutions and corporations going broke too.

I also do not believe that BoA is and is going to remain at the top of the list either... According to profit margins in 08 Industrial & Commercial Bank of China surpassed BoA as the new #1.

[Mrs V]

Sorry, but I don't recall anyone saying that the largest bank in the world, would be worth 10% of what it was, only a year ago. This isn't just any bank. [bank of America] is the largest financial services company in the world, in terms of assets.

If you can find anyone who predicted this collapse, I'll show you a very wealthy man ... if he shorted the stock.

I would have made a fortune, and this is the second time that I could of done it.

If you are correct, then there should be some people bragging about the money they made, shorting the stock of B of A.

When you find "those" people, please let me know, because I want them to make a donation to [the Kiva.]

Economists have been talking of the fall of the banks since 2002 in academic publications (which incidentally also makes the claims that CEO's and the fed didnt see it coming a load of b.s).

No magical predictions were necessary - Their estimates were based on a real knowledge of how capitalism and the stock markets work. Any psychic predictions most likely originated from the academic sources. Go to a uni library or online, and look at some academic journals from the last 6 years - you will find all you need.

Incidentally, those articles will explain the current economic situation and what to expect in the future far more clearly than any journalist, politician or psychic.

Edited February 28, 2009 by Mrs V

[Raptor Witness]

Economists have been talking of the fall of the banks since 2002 in academic publications (which incidentally also makes the claims that CEO's and the fed didnt see it coming a load of b.s).

No magical predictions were necessary - Their estimates were based on a real knowledge of how capitalism and the stock markets work. Any psychic predictions most likely originated from the academic sources. Go to a uni library or online, and look at some academic journals from the last 6 years - you will find all you need.

Incidentally, those articles will explain the current economic situation and what to expect in the future far more clearly than any journalist, politician or psychic.

The problem with your argument, is that the credit crisis began with the arrival of [a hurricane] at [Mission Control in Houston.] I've been using the curious and some might say "strange" NASA connection for quite some time now, and that is unique. When the second of two historic storms slammed into their facilities last year, after I had drawn two maps ahead of time showing this, it all started to unravel.

[Hurricane Fay - see thumbnail]

[Hurricane Ike - See Reply 43 & 44]

The next question is, how low will real value go in this market? See if anyone else is predicting that ["the economic clock will be turned back to the early 1960's."] Then remember that you heard it here, LAST.

Edited February 28, 2009 by Raptor Witness

[Mattshark]

The problem with your argument, is that the credit crisis began with the arrival of [a hurricane] at [Mission Control in Houston.] I've been using the curious and some might say "strange" NASA connection for quite some time now, and that is unique. When the second of two historic storms slammed into their facilities last year, after I had drawn two maps ahead of time showing this, it all started to unravel.

[Hurricane Fay - see thumbnail]

[Hurricane Ike - See Reply 43 & 44]

The next question is, how low will real value go in this market? See if anyone else is predicting that ["the economic clock will be turned back to the early 1960's."] Then remember that you heard it here, LAST.

I see nothing here with any meaning at all.

[Raptor Witness]

I see nothing here with any meaning at all.

That's OK, because the power assisting me, sees you.

[Cape Canaveral Prediction - June 2, 2008 2:12 AM ]

[Johnson Space Center Prediction(s) Posts 43-44 - August 26-27, 2008]

[Mrs V]

That's a nice dodge, but other people can explain the circumstances relating to this issue well, and you cant - so ultimately what you are saying and your powers means nothing.

Or in other words, there is no need to listen to or believe someone who refuses to explain themselves, when there are other people capable of predicting and explaining the situation and the consequences very well, without "magic" abilities, but just hard work - your 'powers' are not useful to anyone if they cant do any better than a well educated, hard working economist.

In this case, there was no need for NASA or hurricanes- just education, logic and common sense.

If you came up with something interesting that would be difficult to predict in advance (e.g precise information about a natural disaster before a reputable scientific org. did) - then that might be different.

So far psychics I have seen have given vague information, and then when an event happens that can plausibly fit into the framework of their vagueries, they claim it as a prediction.

here's a prediction for you - my challenge is that you guess what future event i am predicting...

The star of the south will defeat the slug from the east

and the rivers will run wild

the sky will explode

white coats will be victorious

I can already see 3 different interpretations - how do you interpret it?

Edited March 2, 2009 by Mrs V

[Raptor Witness]

[Posted Today at 22:42:47]

Your argument still doesn't change the fact that last year, I drew [two maps] showing where historic hurricanes [would drive onto the land,] in a thread entitled, "Discovery flies on eve of Atlantic hurricane season & Arthur forms." So I was making the clear connection between hurricanes and NASA from the start. The fact that King Arthur's sword is missing should give you some pause. No "magic" is required, however, for this sword belongs to a real King who will soon replace the present government on earth.

The famous forecaster Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University has not shown you what I have. If "that" wasn't enough, the [year before,] I correctly named [the strongest storm in the Atlantic, in terms of pressure,] and [the costliest strike on U.S. soil,] ahead of time. Do you think that the kingdom of the Beast and the False Prophet have not noticed this? While many here sleep, there are people being paid to connect these dots, and connect them they have. Sadly, however, they believe that they can stop my message of simple repentance.

[The plague above] is extended to cover the public sector, as well, only for them, it shall be multiplied by three.

Have the believers here ever asked the question, why the majority of the prophets of the Old Testament were murdered? Why weren't they just thrown in jail? Then ask, why the new prophets are given the power to protect themselves with tongues of fire, until they are finished speaking?

The truth is, all the prophets had the power to send plagues, and send them they did. The hurricane predictions above were sent to warn you, to listen.

Faith will be separated from fear, until only the faith remains.

If you watch

of Dr. Gray's forecast last year, he makes a curious statement towards the end. He says that no one can predict where a hurricane will make landfall. He should of said, "no one, without God's help." Edited March 2, 2009 by Raptor Witness

[Rosewin]

There have been many faith-healers who also made predictions. These things usually go hand in hand and Nostradamus certainly was a faith healer as well as someone who made predictions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biddy_Early

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Pedro_Jaramillo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_healer

I am certain that these people still exist but as always the real ones do not seek fame, attention, or riches and understand their gift is to help others near them only.

[Mrs V]

Raptor,

Your point doesnt change the fact that Economists were predicting this since at least 2002- well before you- and that the information was widely available. Therefore as i wrote above, your powers are not of use to society if they only predict what has already been predicted by professionals working in the area. What use is a psychic who predicts things after they are predicted by other 'earthly' means? Theyre not useful. Period. End of discussion.

Similarly, natural disasters generally get predicted by meteorologists before a psychic claims it. When a psychic has claimed it as theirs, it usually is tied to a vague statement they made before the fact that has many different interpretations that can be ascribed to it. Dr Gray is wrong. Look at other meteorological sources. Natural disasters are regularly predicted ahead of time, including where they will hit. The problem is that (most) governments dont take notice and dont prepare in advance for these occurences. It has nothing to do with not knowing when or where they will hit.

Thats what nostradamus did. Nostradamus believers make excuses for him constantly. The only reason he is famous is because he was hired by the aristocracy to make predictions.

Rosewin,

I read the wiki-links, but those stories have nothing to do with Nostradamus or predicting the future. Guessing what a person did in the past is not the same as predicting the future. Thats a whole different topic.

Edited March 2, 2009 by Mrs V

[Rosewin]

Biddy Early, Don Pedro Jaramillo, as well as Edgar Cayce were all faith healers and all made predictions. Same as Nostradamus. The links were a starting place for those interested in the connection between faith healing and prediction. I am not trying to convince anyone this is real, but for those like minded individuals who believe and know it is real, then for them we can have a discussion, for those wanting to argue the merit of it all you will find no argument from me here.

They most definitely predicted future events but if they shall come to pass we shall have to wait and see. I am speaking about the flooding of America or parts of America, that both Jaramillo and Cayce predicted. My only point is that faith healing and predictions are two gifts that usually come in tandem and while most think Nostradamus was just a prophet as well as Cayce, fact of the matter is both of them would have been renown for their faith healing, for Nostradamus he helped plague victims and was considered a doctor in his own right, if their prophecies had never seen the light of day.

+ i responded directly to the OP and did not read any post before mine except their first one and my response is that people like Nostradamus are not as rare as believed, are still around, but stay well below the radar

Edited March 3, 2009 by Rosewin

[Raptor Witness]

[Rosewin]

What is up with the visual propaganda Raptor? It might be giving your position an unfair advantage because your images will make a stronger impact and resonate longer. If we all were to use your methods though we would end up like a chan board. I do agree with your messages though but disagree with your techniques...

[Raptor Witness]

What is up with the visual propaganda Raptor? It might be giving your position an unfair advantage because your images will make a stronger impact and resonate longer. If we all were to use your methods though we would end up like a chan board. I do agree with your messages though but disagree with your techniques...

Perhaps, but I use images to help paint a story of the future sometimes, in a way that words cannot. For example, I used a very special photo in that Mars Rover Blog hurricane thread on [August 18,2008 (see reply 25,)] to underline my prediction of where a certain hurricane was going to strike last year, according the [rhyme (see reply 12)] I had already used in that thread. One, two, buckle my shoe ... three, four, knock at the door ... five, six, pick up ...

[RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Trees near Silsbee, Texas lie bent after Hurricane Rita plowed through. The trees were in an area searched by the 349th Air Expeditionary Group. The search-and-rescue unit, made up of active-duty and Reserve forces, deployed to Randolph AFB, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Tudor)]

It turns out, that this photograph, which I used, and which I cited the original source of, came from a little place in Texas called Silsbee. It was an aerial shot taken after hurricane Rita passed over the area in 2005. In other words, I was saying that this exact place would be hit again in 2008, and it was. The right front quadrant and core of strongest winds, passed directly over Silsbee, Texas, as outlined by [where the power remained out] over a month after Ike made landfall.

When [the animals help me] to make a forecast, it's very hard to put this into words ... alone.

Edited March 8, 2009 by Raptor Witness

[Rosewin]

Interesting and I wish I could perfectly understand how your mind and spirit work. I definitely agree that some things, which seem purely accidental, are not.

[DigitalSentinal]

I also think too many people like Nostradamus - or perhaps even surpassing his abilities - are born today. Child prodigies, seers, visionaries - the gamut is simply too broad to elevate one person above all. Also, with this much talent about, it must make for great cover to help conceal one or a small group of extremely talented individuals.

[Rosewin]

A collective of talented individuals? That sounds exciting does it not but it also makes me apprehensive. A collective will usually form an ingroup ideology. To help or to harm....the odds are too much a risk. It is better in my mind that those with gifts use them to help others they come across in their daily life in very personal ways when they are able to help and their help is indeed desired. The Universe has a way of connecting us when the timing is right for specific reasons so maybe it will also form a collective but the potential for harm to result makes me highly cautious of such an ensemble.

[Mattshark]

A collective of talented individuals? That sounds exciting does it not but it also makes me apprehensive. A collective will usually form an ingroup ideology. To help or to harm....the odds are too much a risk. It is better in my mind that those with gifts use them to help others they come across in their daily life in very personal ways when they are able to help and their help is indeed desired. The Universe has a way of connecting us when the timing is right for specific reasons so maybe it will also form a collective but the potential for harm to result makes me highly cautious of such an ensemble.

Like a university for example?

Raptor you have shown nothing to suggest any supernatural ability what so ever.

[Eagle Eye]

Raptor,

Your point doesnt change the fact that Economists were predicting this since at least 2002- well before you- and that the information was widely available. Therefore as i wrote above, your powers are not of use to society if they only predict what has already been predicted by professionals working in the area. What use is a psychic who predicts things after they are predicted by other 'earthly' means? Theyre not useful. Period. End of discussion.

Similarly, natural disasters generally get predicted by meteorologists before a psychic claims it. When a psychic has claimed it as theirs, it usually is tied to a vague statement they made before the fact that has many different interpretations that can be ascribed to it. Dr Gray is wrong. Look at other meteorological sources. Natural disasters are regularly predicted ahead of time, including where they will hit. The problem is that (most) governments dont take notice and dont prepare in advance for these occurences. It has nothing to do with not knowing when or where they will hit.

Thats what nostradamus did. Nostradamus believers make excuses for him constantly. The only reason he is famous is because he was hired by the aristocracy to make predictions.

Rosewin,

I read the wiki-links, but those stories have nothing to do with Nostradamus or predicting the future. Guessing what a person did in the past is not the same as predicting the future. Thats a whole different topic.

Now, you've got to be kidding Mrs. V. Natural disasters are regularly predicted by meteorologists ahead of time? On what planet? As for Nostradamus, your comments clearly show you do not know what you are talking about (as well as on meteorology and on your comment that Dr. Gray is wrong.)

Must be nice to sum everything up in your nice, neat little boxed-up package, and then state "period" and "end of discussion."

[Mattshark]

Now, you've got to be kidding Mrs. V. Natural disasters are regularly predicted by meteorologists ahead of time? On what planet? As for Nostradamus, your comments clearly show you do not know what you are talking about (as well as on meteorology and on your comment that Dr. Gray is wrong.)

Must be nice to sum everything up in your nice, neat little boxed-up package, and then state "period" and "end of discussion."

Erm yes, there are such a thing as hurricane warnings. Ever checked the weather?

Must be nice to ignore reality.

[Raptor Witness]

It's easy to argue that what I have done isn't real or relative, because to understand it, you have to believe in the Power behind what I am doing.

There is a simply formula for how this works, so let me explain it in Biblical terms, because I may be throwing pearls before swine here.

[Mar 2nd, 2008, 3:15 PM]

The perils to come will be directly proportional to something which isn't taught in economics classes.

... to the denial of the power at hand.

"In the last days perilous times will come, for men shall have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim 3

Edited March 15, 2009 by Raptor Witness

[Eagle Eye]

Erm yes, there are such a thing as hurricane warnings. Ever checked the weather?

Must be nice to ignore reality.

Must be even nicer to ignore the entire length of the discussion Mattshark. Listen, if you must have a 3-second mentality, at least do it with some class rather than with pithy comments like that, ok? Prophecy and forecasts come long before such things as "hurricane warnings" which are already issued because meteorologists can see the storm on their short-range radar models.

[CausticGnostic]

You begged your question right off the bat by saying, "as good a prophet as Nostradamus, or even better." Well, it would have to be "better," since as a prophet, N. sucks. And if you're still waiting for the other 99.9% of his "prophecies" to come true, four centuries after they were penned as obscure and second-rate poetry, that's your problem. If there were such as thing as "real prophecy," which is isn't and never has been--it's all after-the-fact gerrymandering--what good would it do, since none of the supposed "prophets" in the past ever helped anybody avoid anything dire or attain anything worthwhile? And thumpin' your Bible is no help, since you're still waiting for most of its "prophecies" to come about--THOUSANDS of years after they were penned, as obscure and second-rate poetry! I suggest that you assign a "cut-off date" to verify your so-called prophecies, because after a couple of years, they're pretty much useless.

[Godsnmbr1]

What a fascinating thread. Good show!

Any ideas when the collapse will happen Raptor? If you could call something like that, people would have no choice but to listen. And then if the day goes by uneventfully... Raptor Goodchild?

[Shadowmalerenamon]

I really don't get most of Nostradamus's "predictions"