Tony Stockwell: The Psychic Detective

[Mighty_Emperor]

Third eye blind

Charlie Brooker
Saturday September 10, 2005
The Guardian

"Hey, Channel 4 - pay attention to me! Because I've just seen Balls Of Steel right, and it's given me a great idea for a new TV series, yeah? It's a comedy show called Ha Ha You're Grieving, and it stars me as a wizard, yeah, in a hat and everything, and what I do is I go up to people who've been bereaved, not actors, but real members of the public, and I tell them I've got, like, "magic information" about how their dead relatives died! And they get upset, so we zoom in on that quite a bit, but the funny thing is I'd be, like, totally straight-faced and serious throughout? Cos I reckon I can do that. Cos I'm, like, heartless and reprehensible and that?"

Yuk. But Channel 4 wouldn't actually broadcast the above programme. Partly because it would be revolting. And partly because it's already available on Living TV, albeit in a slightly different form and going by the name of The Psychic Detective (Tue, 9pm).

"Who do you turn to when the case is closed?" asks the blurb. "Tony Stockwell is the Psychic Detective who uses his extraordinary psychic gift to help ordinary people investigate the unexplained and mysterious deaths of their loved ones."

Now, I'm not calling Tony a liar. I can't do that unless I want to get sued, so I won't. I can, however, point out that if Tony really does possess a "psychic gift", it follows that the rules of science will have to be rewritten.

This is usually the point where some bleating moron emails me to say that "science doesn't know everything". You're right. It doesn't. I mean, what is science anyway? Only a rigorously-tested, peer-reviewed, continually evolving system of knowledge about the way our world works, built up over centuries - that's all. It's not a patch on mindless superstition, which has been around far longer, and is responsible for bringing us such exciting gems as ghosts, demons, witch trials, the tooth fairy, and the Psychic pissing Detective.

Another thing the blurb doesn't mention is that Tony's a fat-faced Prince William lookalike, which is the first thing to strike you when you tune in. He's also got one of the weirdest accents I've ever heard - a cross between cockney and Klingon. And he's incapable of pronouncing the letter G: rather off-putting in a psychic.

"I'm connectin' to the spirit world now - I'm pickin' somethin' up - your grandmother's tellin' me somethin'..."

If you're going to exploit my grief, you could at least make an effort to speak properly.

Mind you, maybe that's how dead people speak in the spirit world, and Tony's just picked up their mannerisms. That would also explain his corpse-like facial expressions: he continually flops about with his gob hanging open, like a dim cartoon yokel trying to work out an optical illusion. Perhaps they should've called it The Psychic Farmhand instead.

This isn't the first time I've had a pop at psychics, and regular readers could be forgiven for thinking I'm obsessed. But I'm attacking them because they're an easily-identifiable symptom of a far deeper malaise - the widespread rejection of rational thought in favour of emotional response. That's what's messing the planet up for everybody at the moment, if you stop and think about it.

In other words: people like Tony may be microscopic fleas drawing blood from a big dumb backside, but having claimed the moral high ground, I can do what I like, stupid.

See also:

www.forteantimes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11275

The show's homepage:

www.livingtv.co.uk/psychicdetective/

 

[Anonymous]

rather vicious i feel, but i guess thats a privilege of being a 'rational' human being in Mr Brookes world. very sad

edit for typo

 

[Anonymous]

Third eye blind

"Who do you turn to when the case is closed?" asks the blurb. "Tony Stockwell is the Psychic Detective who uses his extraordinary psychic gift to help ordinary people investigate the unexplained and mysterious deaths of their loved ones."

But murder cases are never closed until somebody is convicted.
I don't think Brooker's criticism goes far enough - families of murder victims and missing children have enough grief and trauma to go through without some self-styled psychic - however well-meaning - dangling hope in front of them.
When has any 'psychic detective' ever solved a crime, or even unearthed a body?

 

[Anonymous]

not having a very thorough knowledge of the law i cannot say for absolutely certain, and i am sure someone in the forum will know, but i do not think that the closing of a case demands a conviction, even if a suspect is known and generally regarded as the guilty party. example in point, the tragic case of Rory Blackwell. i am myself of the opinion that this 'closed cases' blurb is just part of the advertisement.

generally speaking, tho a believer in the ability of some in the area of psychic/mediumiship, i am not fond of the idea of psychics taking on the responsibility of trying to solve crimes, esp when the crime is so recent. however the crimes featured in The Psychic Detective are decades old, and the people in the show went to him, with their own requests to have these cases reviewed from a different perspective, ie the mediumistic/psychic approach.

now there are people who are sceptical of psychics/mediums, and i respect their opinions. but these people are capable of making their opinions clear without resorting to the frankly disgusting language that Mr Brookes used.

In other words: people like Tony may be microscopic fleas drawing blood from a big dumb backside, but having claimed the moral high ground, I can do what I like, stupid.

IMHO that is just not cool! not one bit. i would have expected better than that from the guardian, even from a legalistic, potential libel case point of view.

 

[Anonymous]

Conmen/women raking in money form those who are grieving. Bastards. Hell, having just studied Offender Profiling...and my TV and films lied to me about this... I now know exactly how much of an art it is; and not science. If the science of deduction is pretty much pants, what hope is there in turning to either a liar or misguided fool for advice? Psychic detectives...pah.

 

[Anonymous]

i think that it may be a rather gross generalisation that all psychic detectives are all money grabbing conmen. there are a lot of psychics/mediums who will not accept money for their services. a hard concept to get hold of yes, but try and keep up with me.
again a lot of the time the people involved in the case will go to the psychic as a last resort, it's not as if psychics go around peoples houses, knocking on the doors and offering to find people's lost pets or children.

 

[Anonymous]

True, but the preying on the bereaved is just as vile whether advertised in a village hall or a card in a shop window. I have never seen/heard/read anything that will convince me that psychics are nothing but 1) deluded or 2) conmen/women - hey perhaps a bit of both. Cold reading, natural psychology and parasitic. I know the argument about it offering succour or a form of grief management, but those are ultimately explanations by those with vested interests and not those who have any knowledge of mental health or psychology proper. Though that's not to say that there isn't an amusement value in it...however, it should be treated in much the same way as professional wrestling: suspension of disbelief and light entertainment (c.f. bread and circuses)

 

[Anonymous]

okay to a certain point i agree. i am not saying that there is no such things as conmen in psychic circles, it would be bloody stupid never mind naive to say otherwise. it is the generalisation that they are all conmen that i disagree with. each psychic/medium should each be judged individually on the work they do.

 

[Anonymous]

One doesn't always have the time for the niceties of individual judgment, hence the use of stereotypes and heuristics. Sadly, due to political correctness, the word stereotype has been hijacked and co-opted to infer some form of 'ism' - and this is incorrect. As I said, I believe Psychics are either deluded or conmen/women. My sceptisism wouldn't stop me listening, watching or learning about new psychics or any experiments thereof, but it would make me keep my guard up and play devil's advocate. However, there aren't any psychics that I have ever heard of that even remotely appear genuine...indeed, Derren Brown is one of the best at exposing this fraud for what it actually is.

 

[gridban]

Sadly, due to political correctness, the word stereotype has been hijacked and co-opted to infer some form of 'ism' - and this is incorrect.

I know it's a bit off topic but could you explain more about this? I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[Anonymous]

No probs. It is posited that, in regard to thinking, we are cognitive misers. Basically, this means that we use short cuts in thinking as it saves energy and the use of complex systems. It is adaptive, but in modern society can be somewhat lazy. Stereotypes are absolutely fine things to have - and indeed, they most certainly exist. However, knowadays when one uses the word stereotype there are negative connotations. This co-opting of words is part and parcel of political correctness and the other bastard offspring of social constructivism, multiculturalsim. While any sane person freely welcomes diversity and open borders to skilled transients and political refugees - thus enriching one's society, the mad notion that society constructs thinking and that all cultures are equally valid has meant that one can no longer criticise anybody without some form of 'ism' being labelled upon the critic. Indeed, so when the term stereotype is now used, it is used to suggest an outmoded and prejudiced way of thinking about people (usually of other races). So I say use stereotypes and judge for yourself if you are being offensive or not. Sometimes some people are too sensitive and that is prejudiced to the way that I think and the subjects I wish to discuss. Off the top of my head, I seem to remember an old Allen Dean Foster book (one of the spellsinger?) that has a character accused of sexism. This character turns round and says something along the lines of 'sexism eh? just a clever word invented to disguise uncomfortable truths'. :lol:

 

[Graylien]

No amount of impassioned ranting or, for that matter, rational analysis will dissuade people from believing in psychics. Even if you conclusively prove that a certain psychic is a fraud, they will simply tell you that that's just one bad apple - all the other psychics are the real thing. And if a psychic comes up with information later proved false - well that's because he was mislead by a malicious spirit. And if he stands on stage gasping like a fish out of water - well, the spirits just don't want to come through tonight. You should have seen him at Blackpool last year...

Personally, I believe that most psychics are sincere people who really do believe that they are putting people in touch with their loved ones. I also believe that they are deluding themselves, and their clients. But if people find that visiting a psychic helps them through the grieving process, is that such a terrible thing? Saying that psychics "exploit people's grief" is like saying that doctors exploit people's illnesses, or that psychologists exploit people's mental anguish.

 

[gridban]

Stereotypes are absolutely fine things to have - and indeed, they most certainly exist.

Why? I don't know if I agree with you here.

Indeed, so when the term stereotype is now used, it is used to suggest an outmoded and prejudiced way of thinking about people (usually of other races).

Oh. I thought that was what stereotype meant - what does it mean then?

This character turns round and says something along the lines of 'sexism eh? just a clever word invented to disguise uncomfortable truths'. :lol:

So you don't think sexism exists?

 

[Anonymous]

Erm...the answers are in the post Gridban - however...you don't agree about stereotypes? They are cognitive constructs and as such do not exist as modules, however as cognitive constructs they have been tested and though knowledge of categories, concepts, prototypes, exemplars etc overlap, the essence of these ideas (in a basic way) is similar..Perhaps see such preliminary textbooks as Gross (fourth edition?). Secondly, a stereotype is a broad representation of something or someone (c.f. prototype and exemplar). Thirdly, my last point was humorous - sexims is now an overplayed hand and there is (in the west) much equality under law...which is a good thing - however, equality under law is not the same thing as equality extand. Indeed, there are differences between the sexes, and highlighting these differences for humorous effect or even for the best man/women for the job is not sexist. It is usually over active, vocal and ill educated socialists that harp on about 'isms'...I suppose it gives them something to do with their sad lives

Hi Greyalien - I disagree with your assessment of psychics and mental wellbeing. It is a false piece of logic to try and map doctors and psychologists with what psychics do...c'mon be reasonable. Psychic 'help' is irresponsible and offers no long term care, nor are there any laws re: negligence. Nice try, but no dice

 

[Graylien]

Psychic 'help' is irresponsible and offers no long term care

It may perhaps be irresponsible, but it certainly does offer "long term care". There are people who have spent years going to psychics and fortune tellers, and claim to be much the happier for it.

And, as a previous poster pointed out, not every psychic is a cynical fraud who is simply in the business to fleece their customers. You can join your local spiritualist church and get your weekly fix of dead relatives without having to pay a penny for the priviledge.

Now, you may well think that a bereaved person would be better advised to visit a bereavement counsellor or qualified therapist. But suppose that they simply derive more comfort from visiting a medium? Surely the important thing is that they find a way of dealing with their loss - rather than that they deal with their loss in the approved 'rational' manner?

As Fort said, "I can conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is anything more than the proper thing to wear, for a while". In many indigenous societies, communing with your ancestors is regarded as a normal part of everyday life. In the Western world, psychology is currently the "proper thing to wear". In a few generations, some new fiction will probably come along and supersede psychology.

The only thing which never changes is the inherent irrationality of human nature, and our naive tendency to believe in anything which promises to make our lives less painful.

 

[Anonymous]

Fort's epigrams are always amusing, but they are just that - epigrams. Ancestor worship etc does occur in other cultures, and hopefully it has been superceded here in the West. I fully disagree about your point of longterm care - at best it would be like going to a counsellor...of which I can't think of anything worse (it ties with mediums) for somebody in distress to do. Counselling, by and large, is another piece of mumbo jumbo masquerading as a form of clinical psychology or even less well thought out psychoanalysis - avoid counsellors...they are crap.

If memory serves me, doesn't a collection plate come round in the Spiritualist Church. It seems to me to be a truly modern sign of poor manners if people were to regularly go and not feel obliged to put in 'a little something'. Indeed, I would suggest that most regulars would feel obliged - basic psychology. If someone gives you something, then you feel as though you should give something back - indeed, this is why when you go to a restaurant you will often be given chocolates with the bill or a complimentary glass of brandy after pudding.

Further, I think if you start to look at the vast range of subjects that behavioural sciences covers, it will be more than something fitting to wear for a while. Do you believe that physics in the near future going to be superceded? Most scientists think that the current state of psychology is analogous to the Faraday stage in physics - they are waiting for the Maxwell breakthrough (in terms of dealing with the binding problem - or how all the different systems link together to form consciousness).

Moreover, as I have now said a number of times - I believe that psychics take two forms: 1) DELUDED 2) Fraudsters.

However, going back to your post for a sec; no, your view that how they, the bereaved, deal with their problems is badly flawed. Grief is a process to be worked through - going to mediums and getting 'real time, interfaced messages' only prolongs the grief process. Any slight relief at believing you are hearing messages from the dead is tempered by thinking about the dead more. As I've said, as entertainment only, the whole show is quite fun - however, to continue as a practicing psychic is either an act of great vanity (as most people who claim sensitivity often are self-centred and have not a lot to say outside their being sensitive and their alleged experiences...yawn) or a manifestation of criminality/human evil.

 

[Graylien]

Your view that how they, the bereaved, deal with their problems is badly flawed.

It's not my view. It's their view. I wouldn't go to a medium myself, but nor would I wish to deny others that option if they find it comforting. You can't deny the value of someones personal subjective experience just because it doesn't mesh with your own view of reality. The way all of us deal with our problems is "badly flawed". None of us are capable of seeing the world as it really is, or ourselves as we really are. We all rely on convenient fictions to help us through the day - whether it be belief in a particular religion, or in a particular political ideology, or in the concept of romantic love, or in the importance of our jobs, or even in mediums or little green men.

As far as scientific progress is concerned, Faraday would find himself quite baffled when faced with the cutting edge physics of today. Similarily, today's psychologists would probably find the theories and practises of their descendants a hundred years from now equally alien. The discipline may still be calling itself 'psychology' but it will be a very different kettle of fish from the set of beliefs which currently masquerades under that name.

I believe that Fort's epigram is worth taking on board because it encourages us to take the long view. Science is an ever evolving collection of knowledge and theories which forever holds out the promise of solving all our problems, yet never does. In the meantime, we have to live out our short lives as best we know how. As far as I'm concerned, if visiting a medium makes you happy, then visit a medium. If standing on your head for an hour a day makes you happy, then stand on your head. And if faith in the current scientific worldview makes you happy, then by all means keep the faith. Each to his own.

 

[gridban]

Amen to that Graylien. If we can't know for certain what the truth is, we may as well believe whatever makes us happy.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think greyalien has a different point of view from me, just a different way of phrasing it. Look again at my post and at GA's - perspective merely. However, I can deny the value of many opinions because I do not follow the egregious creed of social constructivism and thus I state that all opinion is not valid nor equal. I do agree to the each is to his own philosophy but, I believe in presenting evidence and arguments that may destroy these views for some people. What I don't like are the false philosophies, conning, lies and head in the sand approach to life. So rather than sit back and moan at the vagries of fortune or whatever outside locus of control some people adhere to, I fight for the right of the individual and of the intellect.

 

[dreeness]

Marcello Truzzi wrote a book about police work and intuition called The Blue Sense . The book was irritating for believers in psi phenomena, and infuriating for doctrinaire skeptics. You can read Truzzi's reflections on the book and its varied critics at this location:

link

 

[Anonymous]

Tony Stockwell - psychic detective

Just seen an advert for Living TV promoting Stockwell's show with a clip about the death of non longer Rolling Stone, Brian Jones. Anyone see the show in question? I'm intrigued as to what was cobbled around this in order to make a programme.

If any spook-related tv type was the inspiration for Shirley Ghostman, it's got to Stockwell, Shirley? I mean, surely?

 

[Iamroachford]

Call me cynical, but I think the only activity that Mr Stockwell will be sensing in increase in his bank account activity, from the residual interest of viewers via Living TV.

 

[Anonymous]

So who'd win in a fight? Degsy or Stockie? Undercard match: Spirit guides slug it out...a true spooktikal....coat got and gone

 

[rynner2]

There's a New Age type shop near me which has an advert for a Pyschic Medium...

I suppose this is better than a non-psychic medium...

 

[Anonymous]

Looking at the crowds that attend MH gigs, it would seem that many there would be 'psychic large' - spirit guides don't seem to know much about diets...

 

[Timble2]

I suppose if they drink spirits rather that chat to them they'd be a Happy Medium.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Tony Stockwell - psychic detective

Just seen an advert for Living TV promoting Stockwell's show with a clip about the death of non longer Rolling Stone, Brian Jones. Anyone see the show in question? I'm intrigued as to what was cobbled around this in order to make a programme.

the conclusion that Tone came to was that Brian knew something that he shouldn't of (what this was i'm afraid i can't remember ) and was approached by two chaps who were hired to bump him off by two other guys. they approached him in his house, injected him with some drug and then left him face down in the swimming pool. apparently another person who had been in the house that same day witnessed this and was warned off by the chaps who killed him not to say anything.

If any spook-related tv type was the inspiration for Shirley Ghostman, it's got to Stockwell, Shirley? I mean, surely?

bit of Tony, bit of Del, bit of Colin Fry with a hint of Jonathan Edwards methinks. no Van Praagh tho! (boo!)

 

[Anonymous]

Ah...the old non verifiable story shtick! Nice one Tone - truly your powers are the equal of fake-aura... :lol:

 

[headnspace]

Verifiable story

Ah...the old non verifiable story shtick! Nice one Tone - truly your powers are the equal of fake-aura... :lol:

GadaffiDuck,
I have personally seen a medium verify information that could not have been known to them. I know the medium, and was visiting a family member and brought the medium with me. (it should be noted that the person is not a "professional medium", they just have the ability to sense things that others do not) This was the first time the medium had met the family member. The medium came out of the bathroom with a puzzled look, and asked if anyone knew who "kitten" was. My family member asked why (because my family member did not know the person was a medium), and since I knew that my friend saw someone dead, I asked the medium to explain what they saw. The medium explained that there was a man in the bathroom, rather clearly seen, who seemed to want "tell kitten goodnight." My family member was shocked, as her late husband called her "kitten."

For the medium I know, these episodes aren't voluntary. It is the "spirits" (for lack of a better word) that come to them and try to get messages across. From my reading books about mediums, most of them get messages that they do not understand, and look to the person coming to them for "validation" to see if the messages make sense, which would mean the message is for them. If it does not make sense, then the "spirit" isn't getting the message across, the medium is not sending the message across correctly, or the person getting the information does not understand the message.

GaddafiDuck, how many mediums have you met personally, and can vouch that they are delusional or a con?

 

[again6]

Groan. Certain sections of this thread gave me tension between the eyes !

All the 'thump-thump-thump' about psychics are this and that and ta dum.

Feel as if I've been half brow-beaten to death !

Graylien said it best and said it well. What people choose to do and believe is their own damn business.

Ancestor worship is practised in one form or another by many around the world. I no longer believe it's a hallmark of the uncivilised and under-educated. Nor do I believe there is any moral high-ground to be gained in attempts to discredit mediums or those who chose to go to them.

It's a wise man who knows his own father and there hasn't been born a man wise enough to dismiss 'all' mediums as deluded and or frauds.