@David1955 Those who are experiencing an honest psychological or neurological reason for hearing voices that others aren't, but otherwise seem able to function so they don't think of themselves as crazy, looked for an explanation and (lacking this research) figured it's the dead. Later when they hear voices it's accepted that it's the dead. Others (largely grieving women, who tend to have been more sensitive to grieving and occult ideas) accepted that answer and sought comfort for their pain or similar experiences with voices. This is all perfectly explainable as peaceful, well meaning, human behavior. They are still under no obligation to accept this answer but, if they do, then they can better get to know themself. That's a very big and honest deal and to simply sluff it all off as a con and ignorant followers is arrogant. To exclaim that "most are tricksters" is a presumption that may or may not be true. Good studies are routinely conducted to discover the mass character of people and we know that, oddly, most are honest. Most think they are of good character and want to be good citizens. Seems a bit odd for such a large percentage of good people to be missing within this field. No? Maybe it's worthwhile to extend the presumption of good intent or stubborn adherence to what is believed as true?

@David1955 If they think that they are talented at something why should they not make money from it? I don't mean to beat up on you but I don't understand. They should starve, certainly holding a job becomes harder if they suffer from such conditions, or be homeless to meet your standard of ethics?

@David1955 Try opening your mind and acknowledging how people use their talents/abilities to survive. Even if they are exaggerating those talents whom are they hurting? People who want some comfort from grief? Not like the gypsies are running for office so they don't bother me.

@David1955 I have now and hear Dawkins pressing the point of charlatans rather than addressing the sincere who think they can hear/see the dead but are actually having another type of experience. Derren then addresses what Dawkins keeps steering him into but the tips to look for (charlatans) was interesting. Also, Derren is expressing an opinion about what is ugly and what is ethical. Humans are not an ethical animal, in my view, so I look for degrees of ugly. Having watched my mom deal with a prolonged death of her husband and son I am sympathetic to those looking for comfort of grief. That being said, I do think they are off track. I believe that there is no death so that's what I would use to ease the grief of their love being gone. But then I would suggest lessons of detachment and letting go with the grieved. That seems to me a healthier, and more accurate, course of thought. Humans are happier with self-delusion than Atheists are and I think that should make the Atheist examine what is so repugnant about living an illusion. I think we are all living in an illusion.

@David1955 Rude. I am not surprised.

I don't really want a job.......