Derren Brown Exposes Fraudulent "Psychics" with Richard Dawkins

Derren Brown is one of our leading conjurers, specializing in mentalism, the illusion of reading people’s minds. I interviewed him for my Channel 4 TV documentary, Enemies of Reason. We talked about cold reading and how the technique is used by frauds who pretend to communicate with the dead, as well as by honest conjurers.
Derren himself is an honest conjurer and a sharp critic of charlatans who abuse their skills, lucratively pretending to supernatural powers, which of course, they don’t have. I have just listened to the interview again, and I must say I find it one of the more interesting interviews I have done. See if you agree.
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[@auturgicflosculator2183]

Thanks Prof, always nice to hear conversations with people who aren't railing against reality the whole time.

[@josmith9662]

Wow, the greatest living debunker of the supernatural and Richard Dawkins.... TOGETHER,

[@doneestoner9945]

Wonderful !

[@hilcro1]

Pity Randi couldn't have joined them from the afterlife 😂

[@carolinekuchta7509]

The easy targets are often vulnerable people who are also targeted by some religious groups too. Many people are desperate for ‘answers’ or comfort. Sad that charlatans target them.

[@hellabella8295]

It’s always people searching for answers and have issues in their lives.. ALWAYS.. People want hope and these disgusting people exploit them.

[@vls3771]

Millions of penticostal church people have been conned for many years thankfully the next generation are smarter and seeing through the scam ...

[@machtnichtsseimann]

@@hellabella8295 - Not always. Curiosity / Possessing a learning spirit / Being open-minded carries a humility and search grid that takes one to seemingly contradictory zones. At least to individuals who are more binary in their thought process.

[@hellabella8295]

@@machtnichtsseimannYou want to believe there is more out there than we know.. I guarantee you are scared of death.. if you think for one second ANYONE talks to the dead there is a problem.. the facts speak for themselves and ALL OF THE FACTS PROVE THEY CANT TALK TO THE DEAD..

[@troyroberts4196]

They are also targets of people who believe in that stupid religion evolution

[@zwerko]

I remember this interview. On the subject of comforting people - just because it comforts people doesn't make it right. Heroin can comfort people as well...

[@slotcarpalace]

If you have never seen it, I highly recommend watching Johnny Carson and the Amazing Randy absolutely destroy Uri Geller.

[@PLASKETT7]

The Truth about Uri Geller? Who can say? Here are Entries (30) (40) and (40a). (BUT please do NOT forget: "The plural of anecdote is NOT data!") james-plasketts-coincidence-diary.blogspot.com/2006/03/30-julian-barnes.html james-plasketts-coincidence-diary.blogspot.com/2006/03/39-two-knights-versus-pawn-for-first.html

[@dinkalicious]

James Randi embarrassed quite a few scam artists on Johnny Carson. Dude was a hero. I’m also a huge fan of Derren Brown.

[@doneestoner9945]

James Randi also proved the faith healer Peter Popoff to be a fraud. That was fabulous.

[@uk7769]

Randy cared about people deeply. Blessed are those who guide others thru the lies and darkness of religion mythology magic, con artists frauds and charlatans. All shared fantasy. Thank you Randy!

[@PLASKETT7]

And Randi, Prof. Dawkins and Derren Brown are amongst my forty dinner party guests, too!

[@MikeTheBizGuy]

Great conversation, really interesting. The camera was rather unpleasant though, made me feel dizzy 😂😂😂

[@skipintroux4098]

As long as I can remember when anyone asked me my star sign, I would always say one that wasn’t mine. Then invariably they would tell me a bunch of reasons why they can see why I am that sign, or read my fortune from the paper or whatever, and then when they are finished I sting them with “oh sorry wrong sign!” and then tell them my real one. 😂

[@bobmusil1458]

😂👍 I would tell them another wrong one because they might answer: “It’s so typical for [new star sign] to be such a prankster.

[@BearWith]

Couldn't they afford some chairs? I'm tired just from looking at this (and also from the shaky camera movements).

[@KrelianLoke]

Can these people who invite Richard Dawkins to a discussion at least provide chairs?

[@fullup91]

Show me the evidence! 😂

[@hellabella8295]

I know right.. my back was hurting watching this.. 😂😂

[@hellabella8295]

Oh and the camera man zooming into Richard’s face.. 😂😂😂 I think he fell asleep..

[@aardvarksteve1]

I was just about to make the same comment 😅

[@subcon959]

Luckily it was a number of years ago when they were both younger men.

[@maxmac7845]

Derran did a show a few years ago called 'Messiah'. It's on YT and is a fascinating insight into TV evangelism.

[@stephenbonner5620]

He also did a show on this very subject. He follows a real life stage psychic and tears apart his entire "act". It's basically this interview but you're seeing all the tricks they've discussed in private readings and in front of an audience. The "psychic" ends up coming across as a washed up Blackpool stage hypnotist, which is basically what he is

[@judithbaban5150]

“It comforts people”, just like blind faith. It makes people feel better so what’s the harm in it? Just like religion, and we know where that leads!

[@mrsmallpinky9041]

Yep, the take over of countries

[@roger_melly5025]

Fascinating stuff! I am reminded of that line from the X-Files "I want to believe"

[@bobmusil1458]

What's a different word for "fraudulent psychics"? Psychics!

[@nem447]

God...

[@harvinderrishiraj5901]

""fraudulent psychics"?" For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

[@bobmusil1458]

@@harvinderrishiraj5901 If you were trying to convey an idea - it did not work.

[@harvinderrishiraj5901]

@@bobmusil1458 Convey or not, is the line true in physics?

[@harvinderrishiraj5901]

@@bobmusil1458 So, if there are fraudsters, then it stands to reason, genuine ones are also out there.

[@jasonsmith4114]

I love Derren Brown, can't wait to watch this episode!

[@philgardiner6012]

Great chat but the camera work is making me seasick.

[@WORDTRIP1]

Close your eyes and just listen

[@davidstaffell]

A lot of Dawkins' interviews are like this - I've always thought the same thing - he must have employed the same person every time 😂

[@anthonycortez3423]

Im guessing this is because it’s kinda pulled from the raw footage of interviews without the editing or the post production. Imagine splicing up the angles + audio and b-rolls and narration

[@Boris194786]

After reading some of the comments i have no doubt that religions and superstitions have a common origin. Both appeal to the uneducated and gullible .😢

[@BeyondTheTwo]

Of course!

[@thrinethran2885]

Dogmatic prejudice of Mr Dawkins' tribe that (1) religion appeals to only the uneducated, and (2) recounts of supra - normal phenomena are invariably by fools or knaves.

[@JoC-bg3tf]

Well yes and no. I don't believe in either superstitions or religion but I know people who do and are intelligent and educated. I think it's more complex than 'only stupid people believe these things.'

[@HarryNicNicholas]

@@JoC-bg3tf superstition is an evolutionary survival trait, to give agency to things and react as if they are going to hurt you means even if you are wrong you survive, if you wait for more evidence, if you're "reasonable" and it turns out to be a lion, you get taken out of the gene pool, superstitious people, at least in hunter-gatherer times, survived longer. people are inherently superstitious (i hate it but i'm superstitious myself) but god and religion is organised and invented - it has to be taught.

[@SiRushBass]

It takes a fair amount of intelligence to hold unbelievable beliefs

[@stevefrith9924]

yes very good, I had psychic family and was taken to spirit readings. I noticed the way people fed the performer, and never saw a single instance of any powers. Yet had to listen to recantations of how good the readings had been. great video

[@kersplat12785]

I have a deeply religious family and they were taken in the same way by "prophets" (basically just psychics with a religious bent). I've seen a couple people upend their lives to fulfill a "Prophecy" that was made about them. Even as a religious person (at the time, not anymore) it seemed obvious to me that of course the "Prophecy" came true because they did everything humanly possible to fulfill it, then praised God for fulfilling prophecies in their life.🤔

[@hllok]

Q: How do you identify a fraudulent psychic? A: Find someone who identifies as a psychic.

[@a_net5610]

Wonderful conversation, thank you

[@michal88gno]

Old good interview. Derren was z person which I was watching on BBC with his tricks and he provoked me to search deeper and then I found „God delusion”. Now I am finally an atheist. Hope buying cup helps spreading this channel into world;) Greetings from Poland!

[@jackwhitbread4583]

His name is Derren not Darren.

[@michal88gno]

@@jackwhitbread4583 corrected;)

[@geoffh2560]

Very enjoyable interview, however I feel all of these videos would benefit greatly from including the date of the interview, as they are generally some time ago now.

[@alisonauchterlonie8212]

Many prefer comfort and do not want the truth in many different walks of life. Emotional reactions don’t require critical thinking.

[@iainrae6159]

As Ronnie Scott would say, 'lets hold hands and contact the living'.

[@FrictionFive]

Ronnie Scott of the legendary London jazz club?

[@alankirkby465]

​@@FrictionFiveYes, Ronnie Scott, Jazz Musician/ Club owner, Peace to all.

[@SuperTerminator50]

Excellent, thoroughly enjoyed...

[@kimbye1]

Such a great discussion. Derren is such a great guy.

[@unknownknowable]

Great talk. The camera, if intentional, is... I must remain polite here - less than ideal.

[@headlesschicken99]

Knowing what isn't possible vs believing in psychics is like knowing the true shape of the Earth vs believing it's flat. "Believing" is the key word.

[@photographyandthecreativeyou]

Seen that one years ago. Thanks again!

[@qbarnes1893]

All of those who profess to ‘read’ must be so rich, knowing exactly each lottery or gaming results in advance, but ...no...

[@juaneduardoherrera8027]

Dr Dawkins is a busy person . Somebody has to do it for us. Thank you

[@adamjamir2212]

Waiting in anticipation for R.D

[@JoC-bg3tf]

I have friends and family members who will buy into - literally - this crap. If I was an unscrupulous person then I might go into it.Happily, I am not.

[@annduchateau4088]

Great explanation of how those charlatans operate. You might want to ask your camerawo(man) to keep the camera steady and from a bit more distance. This was the most nervous video to watch 😄

[@eddie4324]

Unfortunately this camera work was a bit trendy in the 2000’s.

[@seang3019]

Richard, your shirt in the intro is superb.

[@hellabella8295]

The show THE MENTALIST was fantastic.. especially the episode showing his childhood scamming a dying girl..

[@trickydickyjoe]

It should be classed as fraud and deemed criminal!

[@datanewsanalysis]

Well, saying “psychic” should be enough….

[@alsecen5674]

50:08 I saw the 60 minutes episode of the preacher in an American MegaChurch using the earpiece. The crowd completed information cards as they entered the church and handed them in to attendants.. The backroom was reafing them and feeding information from the cards to the preacher. In this way he was proving he had divine powers. Just another example of the lying that religion does so well.

[@PurpleChevron]

I love Derren Brown. He would be a perfect candidate to pick up where James Randi left off.

[@helencahn7293]

This phenomenon is why people support crazy politicians no matter what they do.

[@Bensp88]

Is there any other kind?

[@Whenallwozkool]

Ask Derren about withcraft, satanism, "magick", and the spiritual realm.

[@weirdmonkeyfish]

Cant help but think of James Randi. I miss him.

[@hellabella8295]

I kept an open mind and of course had some serious issues in my life so sought out psychics. People I knew RECOMMENDED THEM to me because they were so accurate.. ABSOLUTELY NONE OF THEM GOT ANYTHING RIGHT and I always knew why they got things wrong.. For example I was so broke but drove a flash car so one well known psychic said ‘you don’t have money problems’.. I never reacted when they spoke and they got ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WRONG.. EVERYTIME.. Then I went to see a few who did performances and again, THEY WERE ALL SCAMMERS and even I knew why they guessed things about the audience members .. for example a woman was EXTREMELY WRINKLY and it was obvious she had been a smoker and EVEN I SAW THAT.. and the psychic saw that as well.. 😂

[@trevorbaldwin2935]

Who was it that said, "You can tell the intelligence of a person by how much they are happy to talk about something they know little or nothing about"?

[@user-qk2rt1cn2s]

'You know a John... a john, yes? John? James, maybe? Yes yes. A James. James. Thats right. James is a man, yes? Yes yes. Now James said something nice to you once, didn't he? Yes yes. And you liked that didnt you? Yes yes. And sometimes James would eat food, wouldn't he? Yes yes. And he'd chew the food and swallow it, yes? Yes yes. He wants me to tell you that something good is going to happen to you, and to be happy when it happens. Yes yes.'

[@mr.d.8121]

Two very interesting people having a very interesting conversation. Spoilt though by the camera moving as if it were a Batman episode from the 1960's.

[@RandomGuyyy]

That's the 2000s British Documentary camera style. Just think of the cameraman as a third actor!

[@souxcasa]

The example he gave of the psychic asking "you either live on your own or with other people" reminds me of so many conversations I've had as a person with ASD with neurtypical people. She seemed to have been taking advantage of NT communication which is not about facts but how each of you feels about the conversation. He was asking for clarification which is fact based communication. She was angry because it meant she could no longer guide the conversation to where she wanted it to go. This is exactly what it feels like having conversations with NTs when you are autistic, they get angry when you don't respond exactly as they want you to

[@thatdudeinasuit5422]

Would love to watch live but it's just going 0030 in my part of the world so its bed time.

[@owennoad-watson2820]

A psychic makes a vague prediction, the prediction convinces my friend that the psychic is genuine. I spend my next few months trying tobreassure my friend about a prediction she interpreted in a way that very much upset her (to do with her child and death of said child's father before all this). How do you reassure someone in this instance without insulting their belief in this time of mourning? So I shit on anyone that says this "practice" is harmless

[@DBCooper3]

"Believing that something doesn't exist even without proof of it not ever existing, is the same as believing it exists with no proof." Some rational person you just met

[@Babesinthewood97]

If you ever come to Sweden, consider visiting Uppsala or Lund. Maybe Gothenburgh or Stockholm too. 😊😊

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

Its like the old fortune tellers it all works on the same principle , the end result, to cross the palm with silver , better than working for a living!

[@Boris194786]

Religious fanatics remind me of those insects stubbornly attemmpting to fly through the glass wimdow of reality. A roach may find a crevice around the frame but a theologian wiil die ignoring the laws of physics.

[@JhgffjPoubelle]

Merci !

[@DexterDexter123]

looking fwd to seeing you in Cambridge Richard.

[@oliverjamito9902]

From HIS SIDE. Who can bring forth clarity, coherence, adequacy, evidence, and witnesses! A little child as commanded to come forth in FRONT of all! Why?

[@hannelorelaishley]

I'm a tarot reader and I've never heard of spirits being involved, in fact I don't believe that.

[@stardust_memories2260]

What about the so-called psychics that supposedly solved crime or found missing people, particularly working with law enforcement? I remember that was a big thing back in the 70s & 80s.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Yes and those predictions always turn out to be super super vague, like the body will be found near water. Honestly it's completely laughable and gross

[@Boris194786]

I saw Elvis but under close scrutiny it was a wax mannequin. How about that?

[@Bensp88]

Yes but they dont need them CUZ mobiles and social media.

[@rianzog]

great conversation, but what maniac did the camera work on this segment?

[@franosbornblaschke3694]

"In the future the "psychic arts" will be put to practical use" -David Byrne: In The Future, from The Knee Plays : )

[@patrickmack7]

just a heads up for the viewers: great interview but this is very old, maybe 10-15 years.

[@PersonS6]

I was wondering if his hair had miraculously grown back haha

[@auturgicflosculator2183]

A bit longer, yup. From the video description: "I interviewed him for my Channel 4 TV documentary, Enemies of Reason...I have just listened to the interview again, and I must say I find it one of the more interesting interviews I have done. See if you agree." 'The Enemies of Reason' was released in 2007.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Well obviously, especially since Dawkins is now largely retired.

[@aaronlogan_music]

I was thinking it must be. Thanks for confirming

[@patavinity1262]

17 years in fact.

[@hoopoe_]

People believe in alternative medicine like Ayurveda and homeopathy for the same reason: they provide hope of a cure for conditions which modern medicine is not yet able to treat effectively.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Yeah and how many people have actually been helped by these crooks? Look at the data, giving someone false hope and even praying for them actually has a significantly worse outcome than simple chance. Giving someone false hope is not something you should ever be doing.

[@alabaster253]

Yes and energy healing, QHHT, theta healing, that stuff is HUGE right now

[@scottwheeler2679]

Derren Brown is awesome

[@teachedteach]

When was this interview done? About 20 years ago perhaps? Quite interisting though.

[@AnnDrogyne]

We need these people to be exposed. We need a new Randall.

[@Communist_Party_of_India.]

I am from India....Even today religion is very dominant in India.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

To the point where atheists are in grave danger, many have been murdered by the religious and the authorities refuse to press charges or investigate these horrific crimes.

[@Grokh]

Why the communist symbol? Arent you aware of what happened in the last 120 years or so thanks to that ideology? I mean more ppl got killed thanks to that then by nazis themselves.... they literally had a red flag lol is it a joke thing ?

[@theartfuldodger8609]

Religion is far less evil than the ideology you represent.

[@johnnewell5468]

Read nearly all of Richard's books. Brilliant scientist and someone who has influenced my thoughts since I read the Selfish Gene in the 1970s. Have pre-ordered the Genetic Book of the Dead on Amazon. Keep destroying the nonsense mongers.

[@marius6086]

Do it again!

[@oliverjamito9902]

A Child is born remembering.....

[@eznosnopes5276]

Someone reading this comment is sitting on a giant pile of unexplored creative potential. Their main job is mundane compared to the great wonderful ideas they dream about. It will cost you lots of money for me to finish this reading.

[@paulhoughton1691]

I'm was sat on the toilet, and as predicted, a huge pile of unexplored creative potential came forth. Thank you!

[@divided_and_conquered1854]

Trotting out the greatest hits, eh? I remember this one.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Say Wil say, without shared....fill in the blank!

[@TheFiddle101]

The great James Randi's job continue. Good!

[@oliverjamito9902]

Come all are not "ADOPTED"!

[@oliverjamito9902]

Students come here in front! Remind! No bastard!

[@mylarus]

My mother goes to see these people and gains a lot of comfort from them. I just think she gets a lot of affirmation that good things will happen even though we’re still waiting for those twins from the dark haired lady that supposed to appear.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Lord for many have came forth! Able to brings forth! Now FOREFATHERS smiles! Is worth more! Why?

[@scottandcoke1342]

Remember when dawkins did quality interviews like this? Instead of praising Christianity and obsessing about trans people

[@alexanderktn]

What a handsome man - even today!

[@winstonsmith8240]

Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out. (Some of the old ones are the best). 👍

[@Lordofthewhyz]

Interesting that cultural relativism in academic circles was brought up. The diluting of science/evidence/objective truth has only increased since this was filmed

[@oliverjamito9902]

Many FOREFATHERS GIGGLING!

[@ksmyth999]

That story about Randi seems an exact model for the Trump phenomenon.

[@sumitbhardwaj5612]

We all are so much interested in dead people but we don't love and make good relationships who are alive. We don't even wanna understand who is alive. But most of us are deeply interested in the dead. In my experience dead people or consciousness are like thoughts, emotions, feelings, heart, love and something goes beyond this which is timeless. And this is timeless I don't know. And humans need to learn letting go once someone dies just a deep letting go and give more attention to what is alive and relationship with alive. Most of us wanna understand consciousness as objective but in my eyes we must understand consciousness as subjective. We have to look inside and search for our soul. Is there any path to find our own consciousness when we are alive. Because nobody knows their own consciousness but everybody knows others consciousness. Which is also what they understand in distortion and fragmentation. Because I am the truth which nobody wants to know.

[@peteconrad2077]

Speak for yourself.

[@sarbajitghosh5244]

Is Freud out of step with is time? What about Charcot? It is just creating a hypnotic spell to hystericise some one

[@danielbrowne9089]

This video must be old as Richard looks about 98 when it was filmed

[@billscannell93]

It isn't cruel to break these deceptions, because no one really believes them anyway. The ones who truly do are in the nut ward. "The God Delusion" demolishes all this foolishness in a wonderfully written, airtight argument. It's a masterpiece. If only the people who continue to bring up the same old questions to Dawkins would really absorb what his book says, they would see that it spares not a strand of BS. Since that book's publication--and probably long before--the case has been closed on anything to do with religion and other forms of superstition. Pending new evidence, of course, which ain't gonna appear.

[@oliverjamito9902]

To gained the whole world COME HERE IN FRONT! WHAT IS MISSING?

[@TracyPicabia]

'The world of the living contains enough marvels and mysteries as it is - marvels and mysteries acting upon our emotions and intelligence in ways so inexplicable that it would almost justify the conception of life as an enchanted state. No, I am too firm in my consciousness of the marvellous to be ever fascinated by the mere supernatural, which (take it any way you like) is but a manufactured article, the fabrication of minds insensitive to the intimate delicacies of our relation to the dead and to the living, in their countless multitudes; a desecration of our tenderest memories; an outrage on our dignity. Whatever my native modesty may be it will never condescend to seek help for my imagination within those vain imaginings common to all ages and that in themselves are enough to fill all lovers of mankind with unutterable sadness.' (Joseph Conrad. 'Author's Note' to The Shadow-Line, 1920.)

[@dr.s.p.]

Great discussion! Very poor cinematography and production! It sadly severely detracted from the content.

[@Amy-ky5wr]

It's the raw footage used as part of a documentary. It would have been clipped and edited and the end result very professional. Richard is just treating us to the full versions of some of the interviews now, years later, but it was never meant to be shown that way as a final product. The camera person was doing their job exactly right for the original intended purpose. These videos often get comments like yours (often much ruder though, yours was polite) from people not understanding this context. If the camerawork is distracting, the videos work perfectly just as audio. Nothing important is missed by just listening, while doing housework or something.

[@michaelfsolis]

Why not Chicago?!!!!

[@karlyohe6379]

People hear what they want or expect to hear. I'm not sure of the biological evolutionary advantage to this, although I could posit that it comes from primitive man's need to make very quick decisions based on their immediate take on environmental stimuli. The ability to do that with a high degree of accuracy probably outweighed the importance of sitting back and carefully considering those stimuli and the possible reactions from all angles for the vast majority of our evolutionary history. Unfortunately, in modern society this "hearing what you expect to hear" and failing to question that first impression, has led to a stunning number of examples of otherwise ordinary people being made into fools.

[@rolandhawken6628]

A paying member ? I can't pay it is against my religion

[@manfredconnor3194]

When are you coming to Germany old bean?

[@baldrbraa]

As opposed to psychics who are NOT fraudulent?

[@oliverjamito9902]

What is a BLINK nor a TWINKLE OF AN EYE? What is a NEW SONG finally see the LIGHT?

[@bobmusil1458]

Are you okay? Do you need help?

[@oliverjamito9902]

Time what is impossible?

[@oliverjamito9902]

Meeks will say....

[@oliverjamito9902]

"AM" WILL SAY,