does the rise of 'psychic' TV shows indicate that people are becoming more gullible?

Question

Thinking about drama shows like 'ghost whisperer', 'medium', 'supernatural' and 'Empathy', rather than the overt liar shows like '6ixth sense or 'most haunted'

by making these sorts of interesting drama shows, which show 'psychics' in a good light, is TV making it easier for people to believe in this sort of nonsense?

or, are there just more gullible people about, who think that these dramas have a basis in reality?

or do people approach these the same way that they view vampire films, or Dr Who?

Answer 1

I think the rise in psychic TV just highlights how lonely people feel, we consult psychics to see if our future will be better than our present, is that Mr (or Mrs) Wonderful out there for us, etc etc. Also, we all need help and companionship, it seems the world is too busy to sit down and talk to each other, its easier to sit here any type to strangers! Crazy! i believe we go to psychics, fortune tellers etc because we need to actually pay someone to talk about US for 20 minutes.

As for all those TV programmes, its like a new religion, those fanatical bible bashers (just look at some of the religious Qs here) are enough to drive 'normal' sinners away, with feelings of inadequacy, but its human nature to want to believe in a higher being, that its not just us alone in the world, we have our guardian angels looking over us etc etc. They are just tapping into a human need. that's all

Answer 2

My opinion is that you will find that there are cycles of interest in different topics or types of tv shows.

As shows like Survivor and Big Brother became popular and are fading from the headlines, people get interested in different topics and find them interesting for a time.

Besides that networks realize other networks are making money off of these shows and put more out there to meet the current market.

For all we know the next big thing on tv might be petcam tv or something. It doesn't mean people are more or less gullible.

Answer 3

Not gullible, just open-minded...

I think it's far more dangerous to confine your thinking to a small box that is made up of the infinitesimal fleck of what humans know about science and what you're told by your television/church/government.

If nothing else, the TV only supports the illusion that anything beyond our typical 5 senses is quackery.

And to the skeptics:
Why not try looking within your own heart and thinking with your own mind for a change?

Infinite universe means infinite possibilities and realities.

Stop trying to stamp out others' fantasies just because you've got a dead soul.

Answer 4

I don't watch the fictional supernatural shows you mention, as they are fake obviously, Sixth sense seems fake to me. Haven't made my mind up about Jonathan Edwards, he's interesting, but I'm not convinced.

I Have always liked most haunted and have watched it from the first series. They have had some interesting things happen over the years, and though I am always skeptical, there are a good few things that can't be explained, and we are talking over the years not in every show, sometimes absolutely nothing happens at all.

Derek Akorah is a complete charlatan in my opinion though. David Wells is very very convincing, and I can't pick one hole in him yet.

You don't have to be gullible at all, just open minded to possibilities.

I'm not lonely or seeking anything. I think you people are looking far too deep. I just find it interesting.

Just to add... I have been watching a show called 'sensing murder'. That is one amazing show . Australian. Psychics are used to try and solve murders, sometimes from 30-40 years ago. Bearing in mind the victims families are involved with the show, its no p*ss take. These people have actually come up with good evidence, as far as even naming the murderers, with names that actually check out. Spooky!

Answer 5

The show "Medium" is based on a true story of a real woman who has dreams that help police find murderers. The police hate using psychics because of people like you and the stigma associated, but they keep using the real ones because they help.

So while you're sitting on your snotty throne bursting pimples, psychic stuff is happening all around you. ;) These shows for the most part are just entertaining fluff, but there is a reality behind some of them. And personally I believe that people are becoming more aware of the psychic world, which is reflected in our entertainment.

Answer 6

Most of the TV shows are advertised as being fictional. It is those Christian Evangelical shows where God supposedly tells the Evangelical facts about people that are proving gullibility. Not so long ago one of the televangelist was caught with his in-ear receiver and information transmitting person backstage, by an investigative reporter.

Answer 7

No its more TV. There are more channels being added, so more junk is finding its way onto the box than even before.

In England I remember when David Attenborough would get a peak slot and we had four channels.(I mean not some people had 4, there were 4).

Now theres so much free "airspace" people have a lot more time for filler, and less productive television.

Answer 8

I think that people have always been gullible, it's just that we know have the ability to reach more gullible people at one time than at any other time in history. If you have one TV show, like John Edward (who is a cold reader, not a psychic), you then have knock off shows with different "psychics" doing essentially the same thing. Remember the pet Psychic? She's the English woman who claims she can read the minds of animals. People will believe anything, as long as you tell them that you're not lying to them. Stuff like the paranormal always attracts people as they want to believe in something beyond our normal existence. Give them an affable, friendly guy like John Edward to deliver the goods and you have yourself a hit. By the way, as I write this answer, I see the letter "R." Did you have any relatives, or friends, or anyone you know die who's name began with the letter "R" or had an "R" in their name? You see, I am a psychic too.

Answer 9

i must agree with your assessment. that said the reason wwe has changed so much is the perverted society in which we live. unforutnately the majority of viewers of these wrestling programs are younger males, thus they are more interested in sex, mocking god, attempting suicide and such. a great example of this is a show called jackass where the "actors" (term used very loosely) do stupid things for a cheap thrill and for the viewers entertainment. that said the wwe is interested in ratings and the direction it has gone is what is going to drive those ratings for the time being, and in a while it will change and find something else perverted to focus its attention on.

Answer 10

no ...just we find them interesting were not all gullible ..I like F1 on TV and lots of other diverse programs like the ones mentioned because I'm bored with the soaps house programs and others in fact TV can be so boring at times I even look at the retail channels never buy , and the quiz channels come on what a ripe of so there you go testament to how boring TV can be ..maybe that's why I'm on here ..give us some credit ..maybe I am a believer maybe not but its my choice eyes wide open ..... like the rest of us