Joe Nickell

Losing a loved one is often difficult. Many people turn to psychic mediums to contact their dead relatives to reassure themselves and make final contact. Critics argue that psychics take advantage of the grieving. Joe Nickell is a paranormal investigator who believes psychics are frauds. In the following article he exposes a popular psychic's onstage act and explains the different techniques employed by him, including the art of cold and hot readings. Nickell believes such fraud is proof that psychics cannot contact the dead.

Superstar "psychic medium" John Edward is a stand-up guy. Unlike the spiritualists of yore, who typically plied their trade in dark-room séances, Edward and his ilk often perform before live audiences and even under the glare of TV lights. Indeed, Edward (a pseudonym: he was born John MaGee...