“Psychic Kids – Children of the Paranormal”
Oh great. Just what we need. At a time when most parents should be helping their kids deal with dire real world predictions coming from economists and scientists, we get the thrill of learning from the “experts” about how to coach our kids on how to become the next wave of mediums and ghost hunters. It’s enough to make me sick. The blurb from the promo is unabashedly pro-medium. Notice how the word “Medium” reads capitalized as if to add more clout:
“When your child comes to you and says, “I see dead people.” What do you do with that information? There are parents who are scared and isolated with problems that they often keep quiet – issues dealing with their children’s paranormal abilities. Now, thanks to Medium Chip Coffey and renowned psychologist and Columbia University professor, Dr. Lisa Miller, help is on the way.”
Help? Really? Now we have a “reality” show hosted by a “Medium” who is going to guide our kids through the turmoil of having to have a night light on because they are afraid of the dark re-shaped into a prime-time endorsement by A & E stating to the masses that with their “help” every child who has a bogey-man under their bed will, “…learn how to cope with their gifts and to realize they are not alone.”
This is where we have come to folks. A & E should be ashamed. But they are not. And it’s a sure bet they passed on “The Skeptologists” long ago. We are doomed. …Or is it damned?
We shouldn’t be surprised if in the coming years we see a burgeoning clan of child super-psychics who will rise from suburbia like some zombie echo from past sci-fi classics like “The Damned” (1963), “Village of the Damned” (1960) and its sequel “Children of the Damned” (1963) into a new modern urban myth. Something is terribly wrong in the tiny village of Midwich…or is it West Hollywood? Don’t say I didn’t warn you it’s coming. I predicted it. Remember that. Watch for a new legion of wunderkind to march onto your “news and information” television screen courtesy of Larry King, Oprah and “The View.” Remember what happened to the kids in those films? It went like the promos said back then: “…When authorities try to take control of them, the children are compelled to protect themselves.” Super-powered offspring? With Hollywood’s known propensity for grooming the most strident Stage Moms, this may not be far from the truth of what might happen.
Kids say the darndest things!
Thanks to network executives who only see ratings gold from the latest flavor-of-the-month medium Chip Coffey, America is going to get what it deserves: more woo that you can shake a baby rattle at. What’s next, infant psychic’s? Will the Right Wing Nutjob Anti- Abortionists try to convince us of pre-natal precognition? I wouldn’t doubt that either…
Chip Coffey - Sounds like something you get at Starbucks
Thanks Chip. You’re the real deal right? Coffey’s website states that, “…He is also a certified paranormal investigator and frequently consults with victims’ families and law enforcement agencies on unsolved murder mysteries and missing person cases.” (my italics) What? Certified by WHO? Could the certifying agency be Sylvia Browne or ….what exactly? Don’t all psychics frequently consult with victims’ families? Isn’t the real truth that in 99% of these cases they just abuse the parents of missing children and aren’t those miserable people the real final victims? I won’t even go into Chip’s other “credentials.” They are all there on his website printed on a star-field backdrop. It will do no good to even attempt to go on the attack here. It’s too late. He already has “Paranormal State” and now “Children of the Paranormal” in the can. How can you argue with success like that without sounding a wee bit jealous? Sour grapes …right?
Truth be told. I am jealous. I’m also by turns furious, depressed, disillusioned, filled with daily anxiety and biting back on a growing feeling of dread. How can we hope to survive as a species with such rubbish piling up so high in front of our eyes? The lunatics are still running the asylum. Change America? Obama was right when he recently said that America is a culture of irresponsibility and as I have said before; we don’t need a pendulum to swing politically or otherwise, we need a wrecking ball.
Don’t misunderstand me. As I spoke about with the Colorado Skeptics Brian Bonner and Matt Baxter on a recent podcast of their show WARNING RADIO; I grew up watching Boris Karloff’’s “Thriller,” Serling’s “Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits” and years of “Dr. Who.” I have always watched supernatural films and television with the greatest interest. My books and writings are chock full of references to them and the influence they have had on my work – which has been considerable. It’s okay to be influenced by what we see, hear and read to a certain degree. But I pride myself on being able to differentiate between fact and fiction. I wouldn’t plan my day around what Dr. Who says. He and other entertainments are clearly characters in fictional dramatic presentations. In today’s daily deluge of dark super-naturalism, I don’t see any critcal ability to do this separation at all. It’s all pretty much taken for granted that such things as demons, ghosts, possessions and exorcisms are all a socially accepted part of reality and not unreality. How did we get here? How stupid can people actually be? Is it something in the water? Poor education? Drugs? How do people who let their lives be ruled by these images and beliefs manage to get home at night? As one quoted “Hollywood Producer and Film Maker, ” Nichol Simmons proudly states on Coffey’s site: “My film company never makes a move without first consulting Chip.” No wonder we are in such a sad state of decay.
Since we hit the high (or low depending on your stance here) water mark of “The X- Files” back in 1999, I think it’s fair to say that we have now reached saturation point in regard to material that reaches way beyond fictional supernatural drama and deep into territory where fiction is so blurred into reality that what once would have been laughable as a ”ghosthunter” show in the 60’s is now taken by many as gospel if I may cautiously use that term. The laugh-track has been removed from “Bewitched”and has been replaced by a fourth season of “Ghost Whisperer.” Our culture has unleashed so many fantasies upon the world, it’s no wonder nobody can tell what is fact and what is fiction anymore. We desperately need someone or something to help clear away the cobwebs. Enter: The Skeptologists.
On a brighter media note: Fellow investigator into the realms of psychic quackery, Paul T. has advised me to pass on the news that PBS will be opening its new season of “History Detectives” on June 22nd with an investigation into the ”PsychoPhone” and Edison’s supposed involvement with its creation. His own extensive material on the subject will be featured. From the PBS website blurb:
“A couple in Cincinnati acquired a peculiar phonograph at an antique auction. The machine was labeled “PsychoPhone” and included four, grooved wax cylinders. Their research makes our contributors think Thomas Edison invented the PsychoPhone to record messages from the afterlife. As early as the 1870s, Edison and other scientific minds explored psychic phenomena like mediums. They believed every living being was made of atoms that could “remember” past lives. Did Edison make a machine to unlock the secrets of the dead? The wax cylinders could hold the answer. History Detectives travels to the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park in New Jersey to find out. “
Have you registered for the up-coming TAM 7 yet? Better hurry. I will be there from Wednesday night July 8th through Sunday night July 12th. Be There! I have been invited to participate in the live Sunday afternoon JREF Million Dollar Challenge of Danish psychic Connie Sonne. I have asked for a private interview with Ms. Sonne after the outcome of the challenge and will write a full detailed report of my own investigations on this blog when I return. This should be a sensational event. Maybe even sensational enough to attract the attention of Anderson Cooper? Hey Cooper: Man Up! I look forward to meeting those of you who share my angst:
Guerrilla Skeptics Unite!
Interesting post. I had to go check Psychic Kids out on YouTube.
I have to admit that when I was about the same age as the girls in the first episode, I, too, thought I had psychic abilities and could see dead people. It didn’t help that I grew up in a family that believed in that crap. Eventually, though, I grew a brain and stopped believing in all that nonsense.
Now as I look back on that phase of my life, I see a connection between the emotional turbulence in my real life and the “ghosts” I “saw” everywhere. So I wonder whether the “psychic kids” have emotional issues that are too big for them to process consciously, or too confusing for them to explain, so they use “ghosts” to explain the negativity they feel.
If the adults and the culture around you — a young, confused child — promote belief in ghosts, then of course you’re going to think you’re being haunted, not that you have some issues to deal with.
And so-called psychic kids really do believe they see and hear ghosts — what they experience feels real to them — so calling them stupid or crazy or whatever only makes them more firmly grasp their delusion.
Or something. I’m no shrink. Sorry for the long and rambling comment.
Come now Xplodyncow,we all know that you really DID have psychic abilities and now that you’ve grown into the sad cynic you are,your soul-crushing skepticism has blinded you from seeing the other side.Remember,you have to REALLY,REALLY want to see these things before they manifest themselves to you.
You,my friend,have just been Poed.Did you figure out before you read this?LOL,it’s sad but true that some people would actually tell you that.
Ah, yes, it’s all coming back to me now. I see that when the moon is in the seventh house, and also when Jupiter aligns with Mars, peace will guide the planets. And I am getting a sense that love will steer the stars. Could this be the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? Only Jenny McCarthy and the Indigo Children know.
“Jenny McCarthy and the Indigo Children” would be a great name for a band.
I can see dead people and even talk to them!
Mortitions and crime scene investigators do it all the time!
I stumbled into a Psychic Kids show while channel surfing and was absolutely appalled. Basically, it’s a cooperative effort between the show’s producers and the kids parents to exploit children for profit by taking advantage of their youthful credulity to instill nonsense beliefs even to the point of causing long lasting psychological problems of which at some will prove irreparable. In other words, it felt to me to be nothing less than child abuse.
“…of which at LEAST some will prove irreparable.”
I know this is off-topic, but I cannot view this topic’s comments in Firefox.
When I click on the “continue reading” or “comments” links I get a page showing a short list of allowable html tags, no white background, and no comments.
Is anyone else having the same trouble?
Could the webmaster, or whatever they have here in that arena, look into this. Please.
I’m having the same problem!
Sorry, not me, but I’d like to pile on with a ‘pet peeve’ request to move the Add On boxes away from the “comments(21)” links beneath and on the left of each story on the home page.
Maybe it’s just my clumsiness with the mouse (hey, I’m 6′6″ and 270 lbs, with ham-hands to match), but I have a hard time clicking on the comments link without rolling over the Add On box. Rolling over it brings a pop up just as I’m trying to click ‘comments’ and … argh… try again.
I’m bummed you never referenced “The Bloodening,” but oh well. This is bad enough on its own.
Personally, I’d rather see kids sit in front of the XBox downing Doritos. Way more beneficial than instilling the belief of mystical powers.
You know, I see this as yet another attempt to make children feel “special” (much like the Indigo Child movement). I mean, what would be better than telling your child (or the parent of said child) they have unique, special abilities/senses only they possess? This strikes me as being a trifecta of sorts:
1. The producers and A&E (I do agree they should be ashamed of themselves) make tons of money off of it.
2. Chip Coffey and Dr. Lisa Miller (who should be ashamed as well) are getting fame and money.
3. The children are being told they are special and the parents are getting their egos stroked (or bragging rights). I would also agree with Devil’s Advocate on the child abuse aspect; this is yet another way of enhancing the child’s esteem in the worst possible way and ultimately sets them up for failure.
All of this is quite revolting and rather disgusting. It is a blatant attempt to capitalize on the spiritualism trend (shame, shame, shame on you A&E) and make people feel better, albeit in a non-healthy, artificial sort of way.
Gag me with an ectoplasmic tendril.
I do not watch TV and this is yet more evidence as to why. I refuse to become absorbed in this trash and I do whatever I can to dissuade people from doing the same. It is a difficult battle, but it can only be done one at a time. We just have to keep pointing this crud out and hope for the best.
As an up-date to this whole mess, Dan Mewhinney, who was the leader of the “ghost hunter” team we worked with on “The Skeptologists” pilot, just sent me the following website info from his latest “project.” This is yet another very shrewd marketing ploy the paranormalista are taking. Here’s their manifesto:
“DANGERS OF THE PARANORMAL” So who is to blame here?
Shall we blame those who are of legal age and pursuing ghosthunting without realizing it can be dangerous? Shall we blame the new onslaught of TV shows that portray paranormal investigating as fun and exciting and do not address the dangers to the general public? Do we blame the shows featuring under-age children that are marketing ghost hunting to adults and (gasp)underage children? Who is to blame if the kids are affected? How about the adults? Shall we blame the adults who let their kids watch the shows without discretion or explanations? Many adults watch with their kids, have no idea of the dangers themwselves. Do we blame them for not researching the dangers for themselves? Do we blame them for not being informed? Shall we blame the current television media that is so hell bent on making ratings and jumping through the hoops to find the next paranormal ratings super-star? Do we blame the editors, the production companies and the decision makers for refusing to add disclaimers of these dangers to the shows themselves? Who would you blame? This is an epidemic that is only getting worse! We will tell you of the dangers and let you decide for yourself.”
Brilliant! What a concept! Who is to blame indeed. I would say ALL OF THE ABOVE – INCLUDING THIS GROUP! How nice of them to offer to tell us of the dangers involved in investigating the paranormal. There’s only one problem: THEY ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM! This is a prime example of how believers can turn something around and make it seem like they are helping the public, when in fact they are simply adding another level of woo onto a plate that is already overflowing. They are dangerous. Thanks Dan, but I didn’t see anyone from any skeptic’s group included on your video.Why didn’t you invite me to participate? Hmmmmm. Maybe Dan and his sort are content to wait for “The Skeptologists” to hit the airwaves. Maybe NOT. You can see his whole deal at: http://www.thedotpproject.com/05htm
Shame, Shame, Shame…
I believe it was these same people (Dangers of the Paranormal) who fell, hook line and sinker, for a prank phone call perpetrated by a podcast recently. They were told that they were being considered for a pilot, which would utilize 21st century technology in the form of the Text Messenger to the Dead. He was all for it until he was told that teenagers would be utilized, because, as we all know, teens can text much more rapidly than adults. He then launched into an all-out diatribe about how dangerous this would be….Nevermind that the concept of a Text Messenger to the Dead is…well…about as idiotic as a Telephone to the Dead.
There is a whole new generation of ghost hunters referring to themselves as “Extreme” or a “Task Force,” in an effort to make the “paranormal” seem menacing and dangerous. It disgusts me as they parade around in their black t-shirts and camouflage pants to combat the evil demons that are, apparently, all around us.
What do you mean Tonya? Evil demons ARE all around us! They are dressed in black t-shirts and camo pants and perpetrate the kind of bull crap we are talking about here. No need to look much further for true evil than A & E, Chip Coffey and Chris Moon these days. And let’s not forget that everybody’s favorite babe Nicole Richardson has now publicly touted John Edward as her personal medium and has expressed her delight that he will be helping her keep in touch with her dead mother. This will all be a part of Edward’s new season of fun-filled woo and joyessness that will find him crossing the country and doing his thing in a “road show” format. What must we do to stop the madness? Arrrrggggghhhhh! We need to find out their show schedule and somehow road block him at every turn. Is not this kind of guy the real evil in our time? Tell me there’s something worse out there except maybe “enhanced interrogation” or “acceptable radiation levels.”
When I was a kid we played Army. Now they play Army Of Darkness.
And let’s all applaud the bravery it takes to willingly step into battle without regard for their own safety against an enemy that doesn’t exist. If I had an army of such men, I could conquer… um… Atlantis.
When can I enlist? I have an imaginary friend who’s also interested.
Too late, Jose. The conquering of Atlantis went quicker than I thought.
Darn! Now I’ll never know the feeling of glory in battle.
Cheer up, Sir Jose! The next time you don’t see your invisible friend, bring yourselves to the armory, for tomorrow we march on Oz!
Two arms! Two arms!
Speaking of Oz, who all will be at TAM7? I would love to meet you clever funny people.
children with paranormal psychic abilities are a common theme in the debut book just published by Canadian author Eugene Kachmarsky. the book is an anthology of short stories in an urban fantasy legend style that fuses a variety of other genres as well. check out the video promo on YouTube, search the book’s title, Let Slip the Dogs of Love. if that grabs you, go to the publisher’s website for a write up and author bio: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/LetSlipTheDogsOfLove.html. it’s available at amazon and barnes & noble. if you like psychic kids, you’ll love this.
I see things like this too and may need help.
hey people if there any psyisc kids or teen it would be cool if i would see them post a reply on this because i can see ghost and people that are dead but i don’t know if i have a gift but i have to find my gift. i started see them sense i was a baby i think but i do know i saw them when i was little..and i had saw one in decemeber.and i was scared a little….but i tell my family but they think i am crazy but i am because my mom,my sister,and me could see them but i am not sure if my little brother can he is only one years old..
Hopefully Chip Coffey, the Paranormal Research Society (no actual research required or performed), and others will soon be out of business.
And as for sites that are pro woo disguised as being skeptical, you can add Ghosttheory.com . It seems that Chip Coffey gets cozy with these sites, offers them who knows what, and they fawn all over him. They delete posts that question him and his educational credentials (he claims he has an “advanced degree”/”masters degree” in psychology but no one can find it and he won’t say where he earned it).
These psychic frauds as well as these fake skeptical sites need to be exposed now!
You are a disgrace. U are prejudice to those with a gift because you are either jealous or afraid. Open your eyes to things out of the normal, and you might get less responses as this. Think about if a gifted child sees this. Do u want a kid with already challenging life to cry? R u horrible? Good bye
The media circus thats surrounds the indigos has yet again blown something special into a joke, and boy have you all bought into it, just like you buy into everything else thats speculated. Well this is a message from an indigo the joke is on you more fool you.
The indigos have skills that are not for the faint hearted or the meek and fickle minded, i just know the strongest bloke would buckle, at the entities and level of dark that we see are not fro the faint hearted im shown this at any time or anywhere no matter what, so lets give a little respect here the young ones because god they are going through it,… they need dedicated support love.
Do not understimate our skills or intellegence.you are only kidding yourself,thats to you out there who like to manipulate from afar.
This is a message for the children dont be afraid the entities feed off this, ask for help no matter what, find someone who is a trusted healer or teacher who will help you protect yourself i started with Raiki healing to understand my energies and others, talk openly to your parents but understand they are afraid and dont know how to deal.There are lots of children who are the same and you need to find the confidence and get together, you wont fell so isolated because i know how this feels its lonely on the human level but all that is about to change have faith.
This is a word of advice for the parents, you love your child right?…then help them,the levels of darkness is seriously stressful and trust me they see it all from “everything that is to all that has been” so gentlness and integral understanding is vital here, your child has a mission and god blessed you with this child who in time will heal and help you, along with many others,because we are the guinnea pigs so to speak, but as long as you have the fear the fear will control the situation,and as you know there are people who initiate fear as a weapon of control right!… im talking all levels and positions on this planet right, and all this your child knows and feels heavy load right!…Now know that your child is safe within your loving bond protect them with your love, until they can manage those entities on there own… you will soon understand the power of love pour it in over and around your child as much as you can give from a pure heart, and know this is powerful, this will help them because your taking the first steps of beginning to understand them.
All humans have these in built skills like us, its just been “terrorised” out of you because fear is a form of control.And as you know things are coming to light very fast i think you can guess we im coming from.Be postive and trust yourself and your instincts and dont stress about what onlookers think you have more than enough to deal with. go steady and straight, love L.A
To The Following Haters:
1. The Show Changed And My Life And Helped Me Realize That Taking Control Over Something You Have A.K.A A Specail Ability Is A Privelage.
2. People Who Dont Believe Are Just Afraid Of What They Are Not Familiar With And Are Insecure In Their Own Sad Lonely Hearts And Usually Argue Only To Get A Rise outa People Therefor Getting Themselves Some Attention.
3.I Myself Know Its Not What You Low Lives Call “An Imaginary Freind” Because An Imganinary Freind Cant Pick You Up And Throw You Across A Room. An Imaginary Freind Cant Wake You Up In The Middle Of The Night Crying Because They Cant Find Their Parents Or A Loved One.
When You Die I Believe You Go Somewhere. It May Not Be What You Call Heaven Or Hell, But Where Do You Go If You Need Something Before You “Pass On”? Thats Right.. I Am Not One For Churchy Comments But All You Devoted Christains In The Bible It States That People Who Speak In Tounges, Have Extra Receptive Eyes, And Other Things Of The Sort, Should Be Respected As If An Elder. And Lets Not Remember Why You All Came To Not Believe, Because You Were AFRAID! Not Of Your Own Shadow But Of What Youre Not Familiar With. My Eyes Are What I Call Old Souled Eyes. They Are Extra Receptive To Things You All Cant See.. Basically For The Main Fact Of Your Own Emotional Strength. You Are Not Strong Enough To Handle Facing Death Every Day. And Seeing The Souls Of Those Who Are Now Lifeless And In Need Of Help To Understand Exactly What Is Going On. You Are The Ones Who Should Be Ashamed Of Yoursleves, Bashing On Young People And Respected Men Like Chip Coffey. He Reached Out To Us When We Needed Him And Helped Us To Understand Exactly What Was Going On With Us. We Were Scared And Confused With Nowhere To Turn. And With The Rejection Of My Only Source Of Help And Knowlegde [Church] I Had To Turn To My Good Hearted Uncle Chip For Help. And He Opened My Eyes. And I Will Have You Know My Best Freind Brooklyn Coughran Has The Same Specail Eyes As Me. She Helps Me Out Through Alot And I Love Her Very Much So In A Way I Am As Well Sticking Up For The Only Freind I Had For Almost Two Years. You All Need To Put Yourselves In Our Shoes. And Realize How Brave We Were Being Doing This Thing In Front Of All Of America. Its Hard To Do This Alone. Thats Why Seeing Other Kids Like Me Helped Me To Cope With The Rush Of Publicity. Yes It Did Boost Our Slef Esteem, But Not Enough To Give Us A Big Head. You Must Realize How Low Our Self Esteem W
as Before The Show.
you people are pothetic and rediculous have you nothing better to do with your time than knock the best medium ther ever was have you meet chip you feel the strength and capabilities of him….and the not to metion vibe is outrageuos i have never meet someone so caring ,and willing to help young people in my life dont you think for one stinkin minute that its for fame and we are doing wrong to our children.you dont know what we go through and chip wants to help he doesnt have to thats what you people dont understand…….that he could do what ever he wants with his abilities but he chooses to help we dont pay him he doesnt pay us either….and people when you see a spirit you can tell me you dont belive still my husband was a skeptick not anymore…my daughter is the most beautiful and talented clarvoinet and psychic medium i have known other than chip.oh dont think im ranting and raving either..there are some people that are in it for the money jhon edwards is a jerk…..i was a fan for years and he disapoited me when we were on larry king but chip please rethink what you say about him what other person would take the time to help us knowone not even our church so just think about the other side not only yours my duaghter has gone through enough we dont need skepticks thanks for your critsium but we dont need it we are fine if you dont belive than your misses out on the wonderful part of paranormal always psychics and we belive so haters shut up and go somewheer eles !!!!!!!!!!
oh yeah that last comment was fro m jillians mother tamera
Jillian, you’re full of it. Your act is not convincing at all. Do you really think you fool anyone with your “gift”.
You should have taken a few acting lessons before appearing on the show.
“…every child who has a bogey-man under their bed will, “…learn how to cope with their gifts.”
a “bogey”-man. really? is a “bogey”-man one of those things in independence day will smith kept talking bout? or tom cruise in top gun? how about pearl harbor i think they were some bogey-men in that movie too.