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In any discipline, there exist charlatans and qualified individuals. Having a negative experience with a chalatan or knowing someone who has doesn't mean you should assume no one in that discipline is qualified and credible.
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Thats true, but what is also true is that the public is exhibiting an insatiable appetite for the services of "psychics" and new-age esoterica, spawning a multi-billion dollar industry which, unfortunately, includes a vast number of opportunistic charlatans - or even well-meaning people who erroneously think they have some sort of "gift". Ergo, it is prudent to be at least somewhat discerning about such things.
For me, Rob S has raised a very intriguing point, and the best responses to it thus far in this thread have not exceeded the level of being glib or dismissive. Not very convincing. The question remains: if such powers do in fact exist, how is it that not one person has been able to reliably demonstrate them?
Randi may be able to skew tests and results to prove his own case, but, honestly, how difficult would it really be for someone who possesses supernatural powers to prove it? As a result they would become an overnight sensation, not to mention likely very rich and very influential. In fact they would probably achieve God-like status as a result of the sensation they would create. Particularly in the context of todays esoterica-adoring society. Call me a cynic, but I find it hard to believe that a person capable of achieving such dizzying heights could resist such temptation. In fact I find it almost impossible to believe that every single person allegedly possessing these powers has so far resisted. Unless you equate such abilities with saintliness? On the other hand, perhaps the world could use a saint right now!
My own feeling is "pscyhic" powers do exist, but they are tenuous and unreliable. I think they rely on the channel to interpret what they (think) they see. Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they dont.
Having said that, I must concede that I am hardly in a position to comment on what is possible and what isnt. I do not presume to be an expert on human potential. Why, I can barely prepare a good soft-boiled egg (now THAT'S a real trick!).