Sceptics wanted

[venta]

Having just read chrestomancy and leathellin's comments about horoscopes, I am reminded about an experiment I wanted to try.

Tarot cards. I have in the past had several very accurate tarot card readings done for me - however, they have been done by someone who knows me pretty well, and could quite probably have given me good advice without the use of 72 bits of coloured cardboard.

While in New Orleans[*], an acquaintance of kauket's, whom I'd never before met, did a tarot reading for me. It was pretty accurate, but I'm unconvinced... In general I'm quite happy to believe in the validity of Tarot cards and their ilk. However, I have a little bit of scientist in me which likes to pop up and challenge it. So, I found myself analysing everything that was said, and trying to work out how much could be intelligent guesswork, how much reaction to my reactions, how much was very generalised stuff, etc.

So. I need some people who don't believe in tarot cards to do tarot card readings for me. Basically, I want to see just how well people can bullshit.

Anyone offering to do this will be cooked for/bought drinks/both in return. Must provide own tarot cards, though, unless we can find someone willing to lend a set. I should mention that I have no idea what any of the tarot cards signify, so bluffing convincingly is far more important than getting that kind of thing right.

For obvious reasons, the less well the volunteer knows me, the better. Any offers?

[*]apologies to lathany (and anyone else who cares) for the failure in appearance of further holiday exploits. Life's been getting in the way.

Comments

Sounds like fun

[cardinalsin.livejournal.com]

I've thought an experiment of this sort would be a good idea for some time. I have slightly different ideas on how to do them, but would require a budget of millions to accomplish them :)

I'd be happy to give this a try. I can get a set from frax or take triskellian up on her offer. I should add that I don't know much about the tarot, yet. I am in the process of doing some reading on the subject, as it happens. Don't know whether this is a problem or not.

Re: Sounds like fun

[triskellian]

Oh, it's so nice to see someone taking stuff you've shown them and applying it immediately ;-)