A look at the claims, predictions and behavior of a media "psychic".
|
|
A look at the claims, predictions and behavior of a media "psychic".
|
Articles |
Articles PagesAdded Jul 18 2008Added Jul 11 2008Added Jul 10 2008Added Jul 09 2008Added Jul 07 2008Added Jul 02 2008Added Jun 25 2008Added Jun 08 2008Added May 31 2008Added May 26 2008Added May 25 2008Added May 13 2008Added Apr 28 2008Added Apr 21 2008Added Apr 09 2008Added Apr 04 2008Added Apr 02 2008Added Mar 31 2008Added Mar 20 2008Added Mar 19 2008Added Mar 03 2008Added Feb 27 2008Added Jan 31 2008Added Jan 30 2008Added Jan 16 2008Added Jan 07 2008Added Dec 30 2007Added Dec 15 2007Added Dec 13 2007Added Nov 28 2007Added Nov 20 2007Added Nov 08 2007Added Nov 04 2007Added Oct 27 2007Added Oct 19 2007Added Oct 10 2007Added Oct 07 2007Added Oct 05 2007Added Sep 23 2007Added Sep 21 2007Added Sep 10 2007Added Sep 03 2007Added Sep 01 2007Added Aug 22 2007Added Aug 19 2007Added Aug 17 2007Added Aug 15 2007Added Aug 14 2007Added Aug 08 2007Added Jul 12 2007Added Jul 08 2007Added Jun 29 2007Added Jun 11 2007Added May 30 2007Added May 29 2007Added May 26 2007
Added May 09 2007Added May 02 2007Added May 01 2007Added Apr 29 2007Added Apr 21 2007Added Apr 14 2007Added Apr 11 2007Added Apr 02 2007Added Mar 30 2007Added Mar 25 2007Added Mar 14 2007Added Mar 01 2007Added Feb 28 2007Added Feb 27 2007Added Feb 25 2007Added Feb 08 2007Added Feb 06 2007Added Feb 04 2007Added Jan 12 2007Added Jan 10 2007Added Jan 03 2007Added Dec 31 2006Added Dec 29 2006Added Dec 19 2006
Added Dec 14 2006Added Dec 07 2006Added Dec 05 2006Added Dec 03 2006Added Nov 29 2006Added Nov 27 2006
|
"Affidavit" Regarding Sylvia BrowneA look at a form evidently used in calculating Sylvia Browne's "accuracy rate." 
Form used in calculating Browne's "accuracy rate." BackgroundIn discussing Sylvia Browne, the question often arises: how accurate does she claim to be? The figure she gives out varies, but it generally seems to be in the 85-90% range. In this video promo for Browne's recent appearances on a soap opera, she says the following (starting at 00:43):
Well, that would indeed be "pretty good" if it were true. I would personally be surprised if it were any higher than 25%. But where does she get this "87%" figure? How is it calculated? Recently, a form has come into my possession which may give some insight into that question. The FormThe form was included in a packet sent to a dissatisfied client of the Sylvia Browne Corporation. I have typed in the text from the form, but it may contain errors. I have made no attempt to duplicate the form's layout. Front of FormClick here to view the front side of the original document.
First, this is not an affidavit. An affidavit is a sworn statement of fact which is signed in front of a notary (or similar official). Considered a legal document, an affidavit can be used in a court of law. Instead, this is simply a form for a client to fill out and mail back to Browne's corporation, with no mention of notarizing. Second, this form was sent to a woman who had not had any dealings with Sylvia Browne. She had received a phone reading from Christopher Dufresne, Browne's son. Do they not have a separate form for Dufresne's clients? Or perhaps they simply inserted the wrong form into this woman's mailer.
(Bolding mine.) So evidently, this form is at least part of what is purportedly used to calculate that "87%."
Notice that there are several "positive" categories ("Accurate Reading", "Healing Received", etc.), yet there are no equivalent "negative" categories ("Inaccurate Reading", "Failed to Heal You", etc.). Note also that checking other categories (such as "Haunting Investigation" and "Police Work") does not indicate whether Browne was actually successful in that category. If this form were seriously meant to monitor Browne's "accuracy rate," it would allow just as much opportunity for criticism and dissatisfaction to be shown as it does for praise.
Back of FormClick here to view the back side of the original document.
What exactly is the difference between checking "No" and checking "Never"? AnalysisThis form does nothing to monitor Browne's "accuracy rating" in any meaningful way. In fact, any results Browne's people calculate from this form are likely to be skewed in Browne's favor for a number of reasons, including:
ConclusionOn the January 30, 2007 broadcast of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 show (transcript here), in a segment in which some of Sylvia Browne's claims were examined, Anderson Cooper said the following:
Thousands of affidavits? Sounds impressive, until you find out that what Browne calls an "affidavit" is nothing more than a very informal and biased questionnaire. If this form is what Browne is basing her "87% accuracy rate" on, then that rating is every bit as meaningless as I believe her readings to be. Related LinksClicking on any of these links will load a separate browser window for viewing the linked page. StopSylviaBrowne.com is not responsible for the content of any of these linked pages.
|
top of page