July 2010 Crossword

By Ken Greatorex

Here’s a new skeptically-oriented crossword. Let us know how you get on!

The Australian Skeptic’s Guide to Cold Reading

This article first appeared as a Vic Skeptics discussion pamphlet.
The full range of our discussion pamphlets can be downloaded here: http://www.skeptics.com.au/resources/educational/

or by clicking on the “Useful Info” link at the top of this page.

Have you ever bought something that you didn’t really want, because the salesperson was so nice, so persuasive, so helpful? Chances are that the salesperson (whether they knew it or not) was using some of the techniques of a skilled Cold Reader.

“Cold Reading” is a term invented by stage magicians. It refers to psychological techniques used by certain people to influence the beliefs and behaviour of other people.

James Randi on TED

Yes, I know just about every other Skeptical blog site on the planet is showing this, with good reason.

Mal.