Since some people don't understand what cold readings are, I will tell you.
Cold reading is a technique most psychics (expecially TV psychics) use. What the psychic does is use a vague statement that could apply to anyone. The technique works best with TV psychics, since when there is a large audience, there is a large chance the statement applies to at least one person. Usually, the statement seems specific, but really isn't. For example, see if any of these apply to you:
"I see a heart problem with a father-figure in your family, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a cousin... I'm definitively seeing chest pain here for a father-figure in your family."
"You had an accident when you were a child involving water."
"Your father passed on due to problems in his chest or abdomen."
# "I would say that you are mostly shy and quiet, but when the mood strikes you, you can easily become the center of attention."
And one I posted earlier:
Some of your aspirations tend to be pretty unrealistic. At times you are extroverted, affable, sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary and reserved. You have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. You pride yourself on being an independent thinker and do not accept others' opinions without satisfactory proof. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety, and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. Disciplined and controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside.
Your sexual adjustment has presented some problems for you. While you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them. You have a great deal of unused capacity which you have not turned to your advantage. You have a tendency to be critical of yourself. You have a strong need for other people to like you and for them to admire you.
I found these from Wikipedia and The Skeptic's Dictionary.
Full Version: Cold readings.
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Metaphysics, Psychology & Psychic Phenomena
I've been learning just this and faking that I am psychic to ppl its funny when you do it all and then inform them that its all fake especially when they are believers 
Perhaps the original poster, and others, have some comments on the overall performance of the cold reading thread that ran here at UM earlier this year (summer in the Northern Hemisphere).
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum...100080&st=0
Member Tannenisis volunteered, and gave a lot of her time and effort to this project.
The people whom she 'cold read' and who commented back were generally satisfied with the results, with some exceptions. Not everyone who was read wrote feedback. (And to save a little bandwidth, I do not need a lecture on how 'customer satisfaction' differs from accuracy. Thank you, though.)
I would be curious about people's reactions, especially now that some time has passed to let the experience sink in.
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum...100080&st=0
Member Tannenisis volunteered, and gave a lot of her time and effort to this project.
The people whom she 'cold read' and who commented back were generally satisfied with the results, with some exceptions. Not everyone who was read wrote feedback. (And to save a little bandwidth, I do not need a lecture on how 'customer satisfaction' differs from accuracy. Thank you, though.)
I would be curious about people's reactions, especially now that some time has passed to let the experience sink in.
QUOTE(secondhand @ Oct 16 2007, 06:42 AM) 
Have you never heard of Psychological Readings?
Have you never heard of "Plants" <-- Chris Angel - MINDFREAK, does this a lot w/"plants".
I'm sorry but take it out of the extraordinary - and put it into the ordinary and suddenly it all makes sense. I've actually done similar w/teen in a chat room a few years back. ALL teens especially girls, have relationship issues.
Seeting: ONLINE CHAT ROOM.
Girl comes in. We know this because they are greeted with A/S/L - Age 16, Sex: Female ....> I do not ask a question, I make a statement.
ME: "You are frustrated w/your boy friend, infact concerned.
G: "YES!"
ME: "You are wondering if he's cheating on you, with another girl."
G: "YES!! OMG!! Are you psychic??"
ME: "You think he is having sex with her."
G: "OMG! Yes, how do you know this? You are pyschic!"
-- I gave her some friendly advice. Talk w/her b/f and find out. Ask him to be straight and honest. If he is, then you know the relationship is over. Accept it, move on and seriously count your blessings.....
Now in this case, NO I did not know the girl - but I did know the Psychology of the age and new exactly how to 'work it'. I did this to show some other teens exactly what was going on because they were convienced psychics were real. They began to understand the scam in some cases and the trick in others. But it had NOTHING to do w/Psychic powers at all.
QUOTE(Jjbreen @ Oct 16 2007, 11:24 AM)
Have you never heard of Psychological Readings?
Have you never heard of "Plants" <-- Chris Angel - MINDFREAK, does this a lot w/"plants".
I'm sorry but take it out of the extraordinary - and put it into the ordinary and suddenly it all makes sense. I've actually done similar w/teen in a chat room a few years back. ALL teens especially girls, have relationship issues.
Seeting: ONLINE CHAT ROOM.
Girl comes in. We know this because they are greeted with A/S/L - Age 16, Sex: Female ....> I do not ask a question, I make a statement.
ME: "You are frustrated w/your boy friend, infact concerned.
G: "YES!"
ME: "You are wondering if he's cheating on you, with another girl."
G: "YES!! OMG!! Are you psychic??"
ME: "You think he is having sex with her."
G: "OMG! Yes, how do you know this? You are pyschic!"
-- I gave her some friendly advice. Talk w/her b/f and find out. Ask him to be straight and honest. If he is, then you know the relationship is over. Accept it, move on and seriously count your blessings.....
Now in this case, NO I did not know the girl - but I did know the Psychology of the age and new exactly how to 'work it'. I did this to show some other teens exactly what was going on because they were convienced psychics were real. They began to understand the scam in some cases and the trick in others. But it had NOTHING to do w/Psychic powers at all.
Have you never heard of "Plants" <-- Chris Angel - MINDFREAK, does this a lot w/"plants".
I'm sorry but take it out of the extraordinary - and put it into the ordinary and suddenly it all makes sense. I've actually done similar w/teen in a chat room a few years back. ALL teens especially girls, have relationship issues.
Seeting: ONLINE CHAT ROOM.
Girl comes in. We know this because they are greeted with A/S/L - Age 16, Sex: Female ....> I do not ask a question, I make a statement.
ME: "You are frustrated w/your boy friend, infact concerned.
G: "YES!"
ME: "You are wondering if he's cheating on you, with another girl."
G: "YES!! OMG!! Are you psychic??"
ME: "You think he is having sex with her."
G: "OMG! Yes, how do you know this? You are pyschic!"
-- I gave her some friendly advice. Talk w/her b/f and find out. Ask him to be straight and honest. If he is, then you know the relationship is over. Accept it, move on and seriously count your blessings.....
Now in this case, NO I did not know the girl - but I did know the Psychology of the age and new exactly how to 'work it'. I did this to show some other teens exactly what was going on because they were convienced psychics were real. They began to understand the scam in some cases and the trick in others. But it had NOTHING to do w/Psychic powers at all.
How do you know that it wasn't a police officer indulging you while conducting a "sting" operation?
QUOTE(St Q @ Oct 17 2007, 07:32 AM)
How do you know that it wasn't a police officer indulging you while conducting a "sting" operation?
St. Q - I find your humor refreshing. Totally refreshing.. Thanks!
QUOTE (inkblot @ Oct 15 2007, 07:14 PM)
Since some people don't understand what cold readings are, I will tell you.
Cold reading is a technique most psychics (expecially TV psychics) use. What the psychic does is use a vague statement that could apply to anyone. The technique works best with TV psychics, since when there is a large audience, there is a large chance the statement applies to at least one person. Usually, the statement seems specific, but really isn't. For example, see if any of these apply to you:
Cold reading is a technique most psychics (expecially TV psychics) use. What the psychic does is use a vague statement that could apply to anyone. The technique works best with TV psychics, since when there is a large audience, there is a large chance the statement applies to at least one person. Usually, the statement seems specific, but really isn't. For example, see if any of these apply to you:
I've seen many of these things before. However, that's not the definition of a cold reading that I'm familiar with. Cold reading is reading someone without knowing them or having any information about them at all. And although I've seen your definition among atheistic and skeptic circles, that is not the definition I've encountered within my own journey.
I've done cold reading before and seen others do this as well with pinpoint accuracy about specific events. While I am not always able to give exact answers of this type over the internet (I am still fairly new with this medium and hoping to gain more practice with internet readings), I have in the past told people things that will occur before they happen. Such as telling someone not to spend any purchases because there was a problem at their bank. They went to bank as I suggested and found the bank had mistakenly overdrawn their account by about $70 but that it hadn't gone through yet, which would have allowed this person to make purchases and get a $35 fee per transaction.
Like all things, it takes practice and must be used regularly in order to get that type of reading with people one comes across. Even then, there are people who are hard to read because they have "shields" of some sort. It's like hitting a mental wall when trying to "see" things about them. Jibreen is one such person. Another is my husband.
As I've said, I would like to gain more practice on the internet because there are interesting things that occur when I try to do readings this way. So I'm open to exploring those avenues when I set aside a block of time to do so.
QUOTE (Tannenisis @ Oct 19 2007, 03:52 PM)
I've seen many of these things before. However, that's not the definition of a cold reading that I'm familiar with. Cold reading is reading someone without knowing them or having any information about them at all. And although I've seen your definition among atheistic and skeptic circles, that is not the definition I've encountered within my own journey.
I've done cold reading before and seen others do this as well with pinpoint accuracy about specific events. While I am not always able to give exact answers of this type over the internet (I am still fairly new with this medium and hoping to gain more practice with internet readings), I have in the past told people things that will occur before they happen. Such as telling someone not to spend any purchases because there was a problem at their bank. They went to bank as I suggested and found the bank had mistakenly overdrawn their account by about $70 but that it hadn't gone through yet, which would have allowed this person to make purchases and get a $35 fee per transaction.
Like all things, it takes practice and must be used regularly in order to get that type of reading with people one comes across. Even then, there are people who are hard to read because they have "shields" of some sort. It's like hitting a mental wall when trying to "see" things about them. Jibreen is one such person. Another is my husband.
As I've said, I would like to gain more practice on the internet because there are interesting things that occur when I try to do readings this way. So I'm open to exploring those avenues when I set aside a block of time to do so.
I've done cold reading before and seen others do this as well with pinpoint accuracy about specific events. While I am not always able to give exact answers of this type over the internet (I am still fairly new with this medium and hoping to gain more practice with internet readings), I have in the past told people things that will occur before they happen. Such as telling someone not to spend any purchases because there was a problem at their bank. They went to bank as I suggested and found the bank had mistakenly overdrawn their account by about $70 but that it hadn't gone through yet, which would have allowed this person to make purchases and get a $35 fee per transaction.
Like all things, it takes practice and must be used regularly in order to get that type of reading with people one comes across. Even then, there are people who are hard to read because they have "shields" of some sort. It's like hitting a mental wall when trying to "see" things about them. Jibreen is one such person. Another is my husband.
As I've said, I would like to gain more practice on the internet because there are interesting things that occur when I try to do readings this way. So I'm open to exploring those avenues when I set aside a block of time to do so.
I have seen your reading thread tannesis and i was impressed with your efforts . i wouldnt say what you did was cold reading at all . i work with a lot of psychic mediums in my job and for any of them to be told they were cold reading would be an insult to them . cold reading where i come from implies fraud , biody language reading and suggestion on the part of the reader . maye its just a different use of terms dependant on where you live but cold reading isnt seen as a good thing where i am and when i read your other posts where you said i have done cold reading for many people this way. i instantly thought you were selling yourself short . but ike i said maybe it means diiferent things to different people but ive never known any reader who has taken it as a compliment . so just be aware that when you tell someone your going to cold read them they might not be best impressed , LOL . well i woudlnt anyway due to what it implies for me .
blessings SS79 x x x
good luck on your journey xx
Well you learn something new everyday. I've been in the Southern US, MA, NY, and other places and no one has this connotation with cold reading. Maybe I need to get out more or something because I only came across it when I started hanging out with atheists. 
Well, just to be clear...
When I used the term cold reading in my recent post, I understood it in the sense that Tannenisis described in this thread.
I didn't interpret inkblot's original post as offering a different general definition of cold reading. He(?) seemed to be explaining how entertainers managed to put on a certain kind of show for their audience, or perhaps something more sinister, but in either case, the illusory simulation of a cold reading.
I suppose logically, if you just knew there could not be any such thing as a real cold reading, then the illusion would be what the term meant to you. That wouldn't seem to prevent a more open-minded person from using the same term in a neutral or affirmative way.
But which meaning appears in general everyday speech?
SS79, you are from the UK. Tannenisis and I are American. Could the differences in local general meaning be another case of two great peoples divided by a common language?
When I used the term cold reading in my recent post, I understood it in the sense that Tannenisis described in this thread.
I didn't interpret inkblot's original post as offering a different general definition of cold reading. He(?) seemed to be explaining how entertainers managed to put on a certain kind of show for their audience, or perhaps something more sinister, but in either case, the illusory simulation of a cold reading.
I suppose logically, if you just knew there could not be any such thing as a real cold reading, then the illusion would be what the term meant to you. That wouldn't seem to prevent a more open-minded person from using the same term in a neutral or affirmative way.
But which meaning appears in general everyday speech?
SS79, you are from the UK. Tannenisis and I are American. Could the differences in local general meaning be another case of two great peoples divided by a common language?
QUOTE (eight bits @ Oct 19 2007, 09:03 PM)
Well, just to be clear...
When I used the term cold reading in my recent post, I understood it in the sense that Tannenisis described in this thread.
I didn't interpret inkblot's original post as offering a different general definition of cold reading. He(?) seemed to be explaining how entertainers managed to put on a certain kind of show for their audience, or perhaps something more sinister, the illusory simulation of a cold reading.
I suppose logically, if you just knew there could not be any such thing as a real cold reading, then the illusion would be what the term meant to you. That wouldn't seem to prevent a more open-minded person from using the same term in a neutral or affirmative way.
But which meaning appears in general everyday speech?
SS79, you are from the UK. Tannenisis and I are American. Could the differences in local general meaning be another case of two great peoples divided by a common language?
When I used the term cold reading in my recent post, I understood it in the sense that Tannenisis described in this thread.
I didn't interpret inkblot's original post as offering a different general definition of cold reading. He(?) seemed to be explaining how entertainers managed to put on a certain kind of show for their audience, or perhaps something more sinister, the illusory simulation of a cold reading.
I suppose logically, if you just knew there could not be any such thing as a real cold reading, then the illusion would be what the term meant to you. That wouldn't seem to prevent a more open-minded person from using the same term in a neutral or affirmative way.
But which meaning appears in general everyday speech?
SS79, you are from the UK. Tannenisis and I are American. Could the differences in local general meaning be another case of two great peoples divided by a common language?
Hi eightbits
Which is what i said really that maybe its just a language thing. However i have many friends and colleagues around the world who are mediums predominantly though in canada and america . and whom i have to communicate with on a regular basis. through work and it is commonly thought amongst these as well that cold reading is what people who dont believe in psychics or mediums claim that a lot of them do, and i have to agree that yes some do . theres a lot of fakes out there who will use simple cold reading techniques to read someone and yes anyone can do that, theres even a guide on the internet on how to do it . . But i dont think all psychics /mediums do . but thats my opinion and from what i have seen over the years .
The only reason i responded was that due to this difference of some knowing that cold reading was what entertainers and fakes do , I hoped to point out to tennesis that by saying she was cold reading some may interpret what she is saying the wrong way. and therefore judge any reads she may attempt in the future as a trick or her just trying to show how cold reading is done . rather than her honeslty picking things up and feeling it in a genuine way . this imo would do tennesis a disservice really .
blessings SS79
Well, I thank you for the heads up, in any case.
QUOTE (eight bits @ Oct 16 2007, 09:07 AM)
Perhaps the original poster, and others, have some comments on the overall performance of the cold reading thread that ran here at UM earlier this year (summer in the Northern Hemisphere).
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum...100080&st=0
Member Tannenisis volunteered, and gave a lot of her time and effort to this project.
The people whom she 'cold read' and who commented back were generally satisfied with the results, with some exceptions. Not everyone who was read wrote feedback. (And to save a little bandwidth, I do not need a lecture on how 'customer satisfaction' differs from accuracy. Thank you, though.)
I would be curious about people's reactions, especially now that some time has passed to let the experience sink in.
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum...100080&st=0
Member Tannenisis volunteered, and gave a lot of her time and effort to this project.
The people whom she 'cold read' and who commented back were generally satisfied with the results, with some exceptions. Not everyone who was read wrote feedback. (And to save a little bandwidth, I do not need a lecture on how 'customer satisfaction' differs from accuracy. Thank you, though.)
I would be curious about people's reactions, especially now that some time has passed to let the experience sink in.
Even though I got a reading and was quite impressed by it's level of accuracy I still won't make the claim something paranormal was at work because there really isn't any evidence to say this.
I was impressed but I'm skeptical.
Hi, AtheistGod, thanks so much for your answer.
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts
.
When I had used the term about T's thread, the farthest thing from my mind was that there were people who put others down that way. I had never heard of such a thing. I was relieved that T herself was OK with the term.
It's short of a shame, though. There really ought to be a simple, neutral term for something like this, and cold reading sure sounded straight-up.
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts
.When I had used the term about T's thread, the farthest thing from my mind was that there were people who put others down that way. I had never heard of such a thing. I was relieved that T herself was OK with the term.
It's short of a shame, though. There really ought to be a simple, neutral term for something like this, and cold reading sure sounded straight-up.
QUOTE (eight bits @ Oct 19 2007, 06:27 PM)
Hi, AtheistGod, thanks so much for your answer.
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts .
When I had used the term about T's thread, the farthest thing from my mind was that there were people who put others down that way. I had never heard of such a thing. I was relieved that T herself was OK with the term.
It's short of a shame, though. There really ought to be a simple, neutral term for something like this, and cold reading sure sounded straight-up.
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts
.When I had used the term about T's thread, the farthest thing from my mind was that there were people who put others down that way. I had never heard of such a thing. I was relieved that T herself was OK with the term.
It's short of a shame, though. There really ought to be a simple, neutral term for something like this, and cold reading sure sounded straight-up.
Being born, raised and currently residing in the United States I will say that the definition of cold reading as defined by Inkblot in the OP, JJ and SS79 is the only one I have ever encountered. I had thought it was the definition as agreed upon by the whole paranormal society at large. I find it fascinating that anyone who has spent anytime researching this area of the paranormal could have acquired any other definition. Interesting....
But as those above has stated and I believe the accepted definition of cold reading is a fraud, trickster or magician. They use clues from your body language, tone or other hints to guide their "readings" of you. They also ask questions that when looked at carefully are nothing more than fishing for hints. Nothing supernatural about it. Just being perceptive and a decent actor, that is all. I supposes cold questioning would be a slightly better term.
I certainly would not call what you have done here Tann cold reading. You did not ask question or anything to help guide you. People asked, you responded and that was it. I believe this is how most tests for psychic abilities go. The psychic is not allowed to ask questions or can ask questions with limited answers, generally yes or no answers. This takes away most of the chance that cold reading could be used. I understand why you apply your own definition though. You do a reading and do it "cold" with no previous knowledge of the person.
On a side note my local AM radio station has an "angel lady" that comes on air now and then. Trust me here when I say it is cold reading at its best. You have people wanting to have a personal "angle" or "guide" or "keeper". People that want to know their loved ones that have passed away are doing well and waiting for them. They want all the warm and fuzzy feelings. They forget all of the angel ladys misses and only remember when she "hit" despite giving her the answer themselves. Funny in a way to know what she is doing, sad that so many people believe in her.....
If you dig around Im sure you will find more info about what I thought was the accepted definition of cold reading. Find sites that explain it and show you how to do it. Also there might be some tests that show how it works.
Kevin A.
QUOTE (eight bits @ Oct 19 2007, 11:27 PM)
Hi, AtheistGod, thanks so much for your answer.
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts .
When I had used the term about T's thread, the farthest thing from my mind was that there were people who put others down that way. I had never heard of such a thing. I was relieved that T herself was OK with the term.
It's short of a shame, though. There really ought to be a simple, neutral term for something like this, and cold reading sure sounded straight-up.
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts
.When I had used the term about T's thread, the farthest thing from my mind was that there were people who put others down that way. I had never heard of such a thing. I was relieved that T herself was OK with the term.
It's short of a shame, though. There really ought to be a simple, neutral term for something like this, and cold reading sure sounded straight-up.
To be honest eight bits i ididn't read the post you wrote regarding teneisis readings and my point wasnt thrown becasue of what you said, as i wasnt aware of it at all . It came about as i read two posts tennesis made in two different threads in which she said cold readng and in my view i felt she was selling herself short and leaving herself open to critisism, from those who use the term cold reading to mean. reading someones body language . asking round about questions. making general one fits all statements.( personally i have never heard it used to describe anything else )
I hope you dont feel like i was bashing you at all i certainly wasnt. i highly respect what you write and look forward to your posts . i wasnt even aware that you were involved in this thread until you responded to me directly.
QUOTE
Hi, spiritual_soul79 and Tannenisis. I didn't realize how broadly SS79 had cast her net, canvassing English speakers on both sides of the pond. My beautiful theory has been killed by a gang of ugly facts .
Is this sarcasm ?
forgive me if im misinterpreting it eight. I didnt canvass anyone . I converse a lot on the subject of readings with these friends in my line of work and we have had in depth convos regarding cold readings and other types of readings like mediumship and i just know they think of it in the same context as i do from previous talks . so i was just pointing out that some americans see it the same way that i do . thus leaving her open again to amercan skeptics maybe LOL who could then turn to her and say " ah but you said yourself you were cold reading " . i was just trying to help .
my original post was addressing this below what tan said . i was just saying not all view it this way
QUOTE
Cold reading is reading someone without knowing them or having any information about them at all.
Blessings SS79 x x x x
QUOTE (Kevin A. @ Oct 19 2007, 04:13 PM)
Being born, raised and currently residing in the United States I will say that the definition of cold reading as defined by Inkblot in the OP, JJ and SS79 is the only one I have ever encountered. I had thought it was the definition as agreed upon by the whole paranormal society at large. I find it fascinating that anyone who has spent anytime researching this area of the paranormal could have acquired any other definition. Interesting....
But as those above has stated and I believe the accepted definition of cold reading is a fraud, trickster or magician. They use clues from your body language, tone or other hints to guide their "readings" of you. They also ask questions that when looked at carefully are nothing more than fishing for hints. Nothing supernatural about it. Just being perceptive and a decent actor, that is all. I supposes cold questioning would be a slightly better term.
I certainly would not call what you have done here Tann cold reading. You did not ask question or anything to help guide you. People asked, you responded and that was it. I believe this is how most tests for psychic abilities go. The psychic is not allowed to ask questions or can ask questions with limited answers, generally yes or no answers. This takes away most of the chance that cold reading could be used. I understand why you apply your own definition though. You do a reading and do it "cold" with no previous knowledge of the person.
On a side note my local AM radio station has an "angel lady" that comes on air now and then. Trust me here when I say it is cold reading at its best. You have people wanting to have a personal "angle" or "guide" or "keeper". People that want to know their loved ones that have passed away are doing well and waiting for them. They want all the warm and fuzzy feelings. They forget all of the angel ladys misses and only remember when she "hit" despite giving her the answer themselves. Funny in a way to know what she is doing, sad that so many people believe in her.....
If you dig around Im sure you will find more info about what I thought was the accepted definition of cold reading. Find sites that explain it and show you how to do it. Also there might be some tests that show how it works.
Kevin A.
But as those above has stated and I believe the accepted definition of cold reading is a fraud, trickster or magician. They use clues from your body language, tone or other hints to guide their "readings" of you. They also ask questions that when looked at carefully are nothing more than fishing for hints. Nothing supernatural about it. Just being perceptive and a decent actor, that is all. I supposes cold questioning would be a slightly better term.
I certainly would not call what you have done here Tann cold reading. You did not ask question or anything to help guide you. People asked, you responded and that was it. I believe this is how most tests for psychic abilities go. The psychic is not allowed to ask questions or can ask questions with limited answers, generally yes or no answers. This takes away most of the chance that cold reading could be used. I understand why you apply your own definition though. You do a reading and do it "cold" with no previous knowledge of the person.
On a side note my local AM radio station has an "angel lady" that comes on air now and then. Trust me here when I say it is cold reading at its best. You have people wanting to have a personal "angle" or "guide" or "keeper". People that want to know their loved ones that have passed away are doing well and waiting for them. They want all the warm and fuzzy feelings. They forget all of the angel ladys misses and only remember when she "hit" despite giving her the answer themselves. Funny in a way to know what she is doing, sad that so many people believe in her.....
If you dig around Im sure you will find more info about what I thought was the accepted definition of cold reading. Find sites that explain it and show you how to do it. Also there might be some tests that show how it works.
Kevin A.
Kevin and again all I did in my "cold reading" -- was to know the psychology of the age and sex of the person I was dealing with. As you stated - Cold Reading are a "hunt and Phish" con job for 98% of all the people out there. They just do not choose to see it. They, as you articulated - are after the "warm fuzzy feeling" - not rational or intelligent dialog or insight.
Hi, SS79.
No, this is good.
I agree with Kevin. As I wrote earlier, anyone who has reached a conclusion about the matter would incorporate that conclusion into his or her personal definition. If there were a community of such people, then that would be the community's definition, too.
But I am not a member of that community. I am just a native speaker of American English. So, the activity is surely a reading. Among the many, many meanings of cold is "without advance preparation or introduction." So, cold reading looks like it means... just what Tannenisis said.
What Kevin reports is that the term has become jargon, cant, or a "term of art." A soft ware would make a nice pillow, but you can't rest your weary head on software.
Canvass just means to discuss the same subject with several people. It's a neutral word, and it is how we find out what any term means - canvass people who speak the language. In the other direction, you don't do bashing - the thought never crossed my mind.
I like language almost as much as I like animals, and I've learned something about the English language in this thread. Thank you.
No, this is good.
I agree with Kevin. As I wrote earlier, anyone who has reached a conclusion about the matter would incorporate that conclusion into his or her personal definition. If there were a community of such people, then that would be the community's definition, too.
But I am not a member of that community. I am just a native speaker of American English. So, the activity is surely a reading. Among the many, many meanings of cold is "without advance preparation or introduction." So, cold reading looks like it means... just what Tannenisis said.
What Kevin reports is that the term has become jargon, cant, or a "term of art." A soft ware would make a nice pillow, but you can't rest your weary head on software.
Canvass just means to discuss the same subject with several people. It's a neutral word, and it is how we find out what any term means - canvass people who speak the language. In the other direction, you don't do bashing - the thought never crossed my mind.
I like language almost as much as I like animals, and I've learned something about the English language in this thread. Thank you.
QUOTE (eight bits @ Oct 20 2007, 10:24 AM)
Hi, SS79.
No, this is good.
I agree with Kevin. As I wrote earlier, anyone who has reached a conclusion about the matter would incorporate that conclusion into his or her personal definition. If there were a community of such people, then that would be the community's definition, too.
But I am not a member of that community. I am just a native speaker of American English. So, the activity is surely a reading. Among the many, many meanings of cold is "without advance preparation or introduction." So, cold reading looks like it means... just what Tannenisis said.
What Kevin reports is that the term has become jargon, cant, or a "term of art." A soft ware would make a nice pillow, but you can't rest your weary head on software.
Canvass just means to discuss the same subject with several people. It's a neutral word, and it is how we find out what any term means - canvass people who speak the language. In the other direction, you don't do bashing - the thought never crossed my mind.
I like language almost as much as I like animals, and I've learned something about the English language in this thread. Thank you.
No, this is good.
I agree with Kevin. As I wrote earlier, anyone who has reached a conclusion about the matter would incorporate that conclusion into his or her personal definition. If there were a community of such people, then that would be the community's definition, too.
But I am not a member of that community. I am just a native speaker of American English. So, the activity is surely a reading. Among the many, many meanings of cold is "without advance preparation or introduction." So, cold reading looks like it means... just what Tannenisis said.
What Kevin reports is that the term has become jargon, cant, or a "term of art." A soft ware would make a nice pillow, but you can't rest your weary head on software.
Canvass just means to discuss the same subject with several people. It's a neutral word, and it is how we find out what any term means - canvass people who speak the language. In the other direction, you don't do bashing - the thought never crossed my mind.
I like language almost as much as I like animals, and I've learned something about the English language in this thread. Thank you.
ah i misunderstood you then. sorry about that eight . no worries
QUOTE (Kevin A. @ Oct 19 2007, 07:13 PM)
Being born, raised and currently residing in the United States I will say that the definition of cold reading as defined by Inkblot in the OP, JJ and SS79 is the only one I have ever encountered. I had thought it was the definition as agreed upon by the whole paranormal society at large. I find it fascinating that anyone who has spent anytime researching this area of the paranormal could have acquired any other definition. Interesting....
Well, then perhaps we have our solution to the variation in terms. I do not study the paranormal closely. I study religion, mythology, and symbology. The people I have come across on my path are versed in these subjects, not concentrating on the paranormal exclusively. So the terminology won't be technically accurate as those here are familiar with. For example, I have never had acupuncture or reiki healing. Last week was the the first time in my life I'd ever had my palm read by someone charging a fee. So I fully admit my ignorance on the topic.
QUOTE
I certainly would not call what you have done here Tann cold reading. You did not ask question or anything to help guide you. People asked, you responded and that was it. I believe this is how most tests for psychic abilities go. The psychic is not allowed to ask questions or can ask questions with limited answers, generally yes or no answers. This takes away most of the chance that cold reading could be used. I understand why you apply your own definition though. You do a reading and do it "cold" with no previous knowledge of the person.
It was the definition that I was given by others, but okay.
QUOTE (Tannenisis @ Oct 21 2007, 07:09 PM)
Well, then perhaps we have our solution to the variation in terms. I do not study the paranormal closely. I study religion, mythology, and symbology. The people I have come across on my path are versed in these subjects, not concentrating on the paranormal exclusively. So the terminology won't be technically accurate as those here are familiar with. For example, I have never had acupuncture or reiki healing. Last week was the the first time in my life I'd ever had my palm read by someone charging a fee. So I fully admit my ignorance on the topic.
It was the definition that I was given by others, but okay.
It was the definition that I was given by others, but okay.
Well we all learn something new every day. We have both learned that our definition and what we had thought was the accepted definition(perhaps in our own circles only) may not be the one everyone online has. This thread has served a good purpose and I thank Inkblot for bringing it up.
Also, as others have said, this keeps people from jumping all over you Tann or anyone else that may use the term "cold reading" to define something completely different than what most "skeptics" would. This is a good thing. There is enough confusion to go around in this world as is.....
Kevin A.
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