FERRYING ACROSS THE MERSEY
As you do. First day of filming, and I shall be meeting our Liverpool medium a little later. We’ll be spending the week together and I’ll be looking at to what extent his quite serious claims really stand up. He’s made a small name for himself, and is typical of many mediums working in the UK. I, as ever, would love it to be true and am hoping he’ll show me things I can’t explain. But his involving himself in murder cases makes me uneasy. I imagine there’ll be some sequences with bereaved parents that I’ll find excruciating. Yet clearly they take much comfort from him. Much to learn, observe and discuss.
X
bad weather in britain to day
damn you’re handsome
I think you may be treading on dangerous ground! But as always, you handle it carefully and with consideration of others. I have a friend in Liverpool at the moment working on Most Haunted. I find this all very suspicious. Could your Medium be connected with this programme?
Also you have a very evil, featureless silhouette in that picture!
Welcome to Liverpool… you just missed our city of culture year by a whisker, so you’ve got the job of sustaining the cultural bit by yourself for the next week!
I must admit this could well be the sort of thing I was hoping you’d take on, as you know. Now I’m very interested in the new series.
Oh and to keep up the theme that seems to be appearing in the responses, may I say your left eye is looking particularly squinty in that photo.
How lovely – a lovely sexsy pic of you Derren, and then Evening of Wonders tonight also – hell you are spoiling us aren’t you. ;o)
Am also very intrigued by what you are doing in Liverpool with this Medium and how you are going to approach/show the murder case side of his work will be interesting.
…As I follow your work and beliefs, and since watching your shows and reading your books have also become a non-beliver, I don’t think for one second that this person will convince you otherwise.
xx
FERRYING ACROSS THE MERSEY. As you do.
Hm … so “you” is slang for liverpoolers …. okay, good that we know of that .. *grinning* .. (wondering what we will be named then…. AHA, that’s our evening of wonders)
On your way to maybe converted to becoming a psychic yourself as well. Or hopelessly disappointed ..
The murder stuff .. yes, I really dislike watching those on tv … but psychics’ tips might be just as good as the anonymous tips the police will get from tons of people .. maybe at times even better.
They probably will not name names or such .. although they can lead the investigation into the wrong direction as well I guess .. but then again, the minds of policemen into this type of research will not always see it right either. But they do have the experience (we hope at least).
Being a parent you probably will try more things .. especially in cases of missing childeren .. (or let someone else take care of all that stuff).
I’m sure 99,9% of all psychics do have the right intentions in this area.
It’s not a fun business to work in (murders etc). And they probably will not get nice stuff on the inside either.
You look disgustingly awake and clear (profile on boat) … today I’m not so up but hey .. I’ve got myself to blame for .. but I def. don’t look 247 years old .. 246 years perhaps, but not 247 ..
Have an interesting time and discussions and such!
Any skeptic that does not want to be proven wrong is, well, not skeptical enough. Because that would make them biased toward thinking it CAN’T be real. Of course it could be — would be great if it was — it’s just very unlikely.
It’s a strange ethical dilemma, psychics talking to dead people. I see it as preying on the bereaved, but yes, it does make said bereaved feel better. Though that feeling is probably based on false hope, which seems wrong… and if they ever found out it WAS false, they’d feel even worse, I think.
Most psychics are just showmen, and it doesn’t bother me too much that they call some obvious trickery ‘supernatural’. Just a good show, mostly. But when they start messing with people´s feelings of loss, when they pretend to be able to contact the dead and missing — THAT pisses me off. A lot.
Hm Hm Hmm interesting topic once again…i find it always quite disturbing when people who want to help talk so quick …it makes me think firstly of as if they have something to cover up it´s so totally not relaxed….(not that this proves anything negative)
Anyhow having premonitions or being sensitive to this not so visible world (which i think everyone is to an extend) or using it for monetary gain under the guise of giving comfort are still two clashing worlds in my view….it´s almost like a parent who wants to give their kid love and comfort but…the kid has to pay for it…..
No matter to what extend these people are tapping into the real thing or not it probably wont take long before they are being hated for it as there is someting not sitting right´….my my wonder what that is´…
Btw Derren, you look abs. fab. and on that piccie! …the jacket gives an edge to your chin silhouette…
Yes, I’ve crossed the mersey many times but never with this .. mission on my mind .. and never felt that ‘sea’-sick .. (well, maybe it is the flu, not sure .. there were not real waves here today that’s for sure)
If I don’t make it .. If I fail to fullfill my mission .. than you might find me slushed in some bar …. (nerves .. not the flu .. nerves ..) and I do hope you then will forgive me, Derren, for not giving you the ride of your life .. (french kiss that is .. we will not get ahead of things ofcourse .. that would be delightfull but not recommended .. the magic would be gone too fast .. and magic that is all that counts, isn’t that the case .. )
So, now then .. let me see, where am I, …. aha, Spaceport .. maybe you’re there … I’m going in .. .. BBL
One wonders why if people really can talk to the dead that they would charge people for the use of such a gift. If you could ease the suffering of heartbroken relatives what kind of a person would you have to be to exploit that suffering for the sake of a tv show or an hourly fee. If it were up to me I would get rid of all these psychic phone lines and tv shows.
Or else they should all be rich from blackmailing the living with dark, carried-to-the-grave secrets, and digging up treasure intended for Auntie Maud. Here’s hoping Derren finds awesome ghosts.
This takes me back. Used to spend every school holiday in Liverpool visiting my vast number of relatives. Remember being mocked in any kids’ playground for sounding posh (ie from down south). Haven’t been back for a while as no one has got married, had a baby or died recently. Should really find another excuse to go.
Do they still play “Ferry Cross the Mersey” on the ferry?
The medium that you are interviewing must really believe in himself, either as a true psychic or a top-notch conman, or have spent the last few years with his head firmly in the sand and thus have never heard of Derren Brown. Look forward to witnessing the results when the program airs.
Also, just noticed it’s that nice brown coat from the bus again.
The nice picture is only slightly ruined by the coat collar giving DB a Lucifer type beard which is really most disturbing.
Personally, I love the pointy chin/Lucifer beard.
I agree with Berber Anna about scepticism, so I am glad that you haven’t gotten overly cynical about the potential for this to be the real deal. James Randi is really cynical about the subject, I respect Randi, and his cynicism comes from just seeing the same old methods to fool people over and over and over again, so I understand why he is that way, but hypothetically *if* the real deal was to come his way he might not be able to see it and just keep looking to prove it doesn’t exist. But by and large this medium is almost probably using the usual methods we have all seen time and time again. Overly emotional individuals who feel they owe a debt to him however can really interfere with any sort of critical analysis however. Good luck and make sure the apple cart is facing AWAY from you when you upset it, if such a thing can be possible when dealing with such chaotic elements. Nice picture BTW
Comforting the bereaved isn’t enough of an excuse, sadly. If you provide fabricated evidence for the afterlife, you are having a major effect on an individual’s beliefs and world views.
I am very interested in mediums and psychics in general (apart from Derek Acorah as he is neither) so will look forward to this.
what a day! you look really charming in this picture, and cannot wait to watch the Evening of Wonders tonight.
I would be deeply interested in you describing your attitude towards Atheist buses. i know that you are an atheist, and so am i but i just want to know if you consider this whole idea too fighty, or just nice?
Look forward to this immensely since have had family members duped by people like this.
Oh my days, ii am such a biig fan!!
i have watched like all of your shows and looking forward
to watch an ‘Evening of Wonders’ tonight =) but on Channel 4+1
since i’ve missed it at 10. Wooops! XD
ii cant wait till you to come to Newcastle, im definitely going to
see you at the theatre! yaayy =)
Much Love
Derren, come back to Bristol. You know you want to. We probably have some mediums round here too.
Simply can’t wait for the next series, Evening of Wonders knocked my socks off.
xx
PLEASE book some shows in Liverpool so that I can come and bring my children, we are all intrigued by your tv shows, absolutely staggering stuff Mr Brown. I can’t believe you are in Liverpool right now while I am in my home on the Wirral!!
Have watched your show on tv tonight with my youngest (14) absolutely amazing, thank you for making our minds work overtime!!!
That sounds exciting! Will he be with Myleene this time?
I haven’t seen the show yet (but recorded it for tonight 🙂 )
I’m getting more and more excited though, as everyone’s talking about it at work. I have it on good authority (OK, a colleague who has just informed me that she can see and talk to the dead) that Derren is lying about not being a real medium. I tried to explain about cold reading, idiomotor movement and all the stuff Derren has actually explained, but no… she’s seen REAL mediums at work and he has the gift.
Hear that Derren? You’re fooling youself mate. The dead are messing with your head!
I now have to deal with the knowledge that not one but TWO of my colleagues (another one stood up during this conversation) believe they regularly hang out and chat with dead people. This is seriously messing with MY head!
I do know another person who “sees dead people”, but he is very happy to consider the possibility that he has some weirdness in the brain which is causing him extremely realistic hallucinations.
Keep up the good work, Derren… you have some new fans among the “psychic” community, so hopefully they’ll watch your new series and be enlightened!
Heh, yeah, people will do that — if they’d admit that it can be done by non-supernatural means, it would shatter their worldview, so they work their way around by claiming the magician/mentalist is lying.
That’s how Conan Doyle and Houdini lost their friendship, too. (Yay for irrelevant facts 😛 )
Sensitive subject matter. (psychics and death, not the photograph)
Quite obviously, and forgive me for pointing out something so banal, people who use psychics as a means of contacting dead love ones, find comfort in doing so. They may also find reassurance in the *fact* that this provides an *answer* to the question of life after death, and thus, our ultimate purpose or ultimate reality.
Leaving aside the questionable ethics of ‘psychics’ who charge money to provide this service, there is an interesting effect of this on our ethical lives.
If those who ‘spoke to the dead’ only took momentary comfort from these situations and did not allow it to dictate their views on lives, their would be little issue and psychics and believers could carry on without due criticism. However, there are critiques aimed at the impact upon the ethical life of life under law; a system of rules that is so authoritative, it can begin to monopolise our reason and leave our own development in tragedy. If this is quite reasonably aimed at the law, it must be more so at an ‘industry’ of psychics, whose supposed ability to provide comment on the big question of life, ie there is life after death, cannot be paralled in terms of the effect upon us. If the law provides authority in answering our questions, the impact of this ccan only be marginal in comparison the the questions that they claim to answer. They take the largest and most profound question possible, answer it and thus, act as an authority on those who believe.
The problem then arises when believers allow this authority to dictate their views on life, and even more so, their decisions. Their ability to an access to reason is diminished as their thoughts are consumed. Basically, your mind is closed.
Whilst this has obvious effects on the life of the individual, it does so on a wider societal basis also. If the idividuals, lose that individuality stemming from free and rational thought, society is comprised of mere products of collectivism of belief and no individuality. The individuals become the collective, and paradoxically, the collective an individual.
Whilst this criticism can be open to any belief system or authority upon us, it is possible to balance that, very crudely, with acknowledgemet of this. However, I dont believe this is possible with this very sensitive authority, because of the nature of the comfort it gives and feelings it stimulates.
Its more dangerous than someone being charged for a falsely specified product.
This ofcourse is a very crude description, probably full of spelling and gramatical mistakes, of what is worthy of an entire doctoral thesis. Anyhoo…
What really bothers me is that if I was to sit here in the office and say I could see a fairy, or a pink elephant, I would be taken to a quiet room and the possibility of referral to the mental health services would be discussed. As i would expect, and hope for, in a supportive professional environment.
So WHY is it that 2 people can stand up and say they see dead people – one of them being my SUPERVISOR (sort out italics on here Coops, there’s a love, I’m struggling to express myself!) and people don’t bat a bloody eyelid?
I’m a bit stunned that this has bothered me so much… I probably spend almost as much time as Derren obsessing about this stuff but I really was absolutely lost for words today…
Anna – I love irrelevent facts (lucky for me as I live with an Aspie!)
Derren, i would love to see you have a tie in with Most haunted. I’d love to see your input on one of the live shows. Especially with regards to the seances that they hold for example?
I, for one, thank Derren for pointing out how so called “mediums” work. One told my sibling our Dad was trying to talk to us and took my sibling for a ride doing cold readings. Keep doing what you do Derren.
hello there you, hop feilming is going well I look forward to seeing what it is you’ve done for the new series it’s always fascinating to see what you come up with
have fun down in liverpool
take care
much love & bug hugs
chantelle ; )
I have saw Derren’s show at Leicester University. It was brilliant and I highly recommend it to anyone. I am still trying to work out how he did some of the stuff.
I tried to meet him afterwards, but I chickened out due to the marauding hoards of young hormonal females all wanting a slice of him too – oh well maybe next time. Seats have nearly sold out for Northampton, which is close to me.
Derren have you any plans to to Warwick or Coventry University please ?
Keep up the briliant work by the way and thanks for the blog Coops,
John W. (Kenilworth – Yes me again)
Does kinda make you question your faith in a police service which would allow a “medium” on murder cases huh or is that just me? thought having “psychic” help on cases was a big thing in America, never realised they did it in the UK too…hehe you learn something new every day 😀
p.s More Derren Brown shows in Scotland
Hello 🙂
Are you actually Derran Brown cuz i jst thought id say i think u are the nicest looking guy in the world. I dont know if ur gay, straight, bi but i wud hav ya any day, although i am 16 so you probs wudnt hav me.
but i jst thought id say that.
tabs yaaa x
You really need to watch psychic detectives… It is an American programme and they reguarly use proven psychics in cases and they are incredible. Watch and observe it will amaze you how they play a massive role in solving these cases. I am a psychic medium myself but i do not charge money. Like anything else you have to experience personally before you can truly believe. What i have experienced leaves me without a doubt that i can communicate but i dont expect you to believe it. I hope one day you will have your own experiences and then you will understand.