Digital Bits Skeptic

By ScienceReasonRationality.blogspot.com
Article ID: 129

 

 Download audio: Play Now

I think most people already know what astrology is. After all, it has been used by people everywhere since ancient times right up to the modern age. But how does astrology so successfully fool people into believing it’s real? The answer is quite simple. Astrology creates something many people are not really aware of. It is called “illusion”.

Magicians have always used trickery to create illusions to convince others what he or she does is in fact real magic, real supernatural powers. Audiences are baffled because they can’t explain what they just saw. That’s what magic tricks are all about. Magic wouldn’t be as impressive if everyone knew how it was done, would it?

Some magic tricks exceed the expectation of an audience to the point they start to believe it couldn’t have been just a simple trick. They insist it had to be some kind of black magic, demonic power, or divine force. This is the first mistake that people make: they transform a certain assumption into a certain belief. They assume or believe something IS, rather than inquire or investigate HOW something is. The use of critical thinking and evidence-based investigation over faith-based living and emotion-driven thinking is extremely important when it comes to accepting or rejecting fantastic claims.

“What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the wish to find out, which is the exact opposite.” ~ Bertrand Russell

Understand that magicians do not selflessly perform magic tricks for your entertainment. They also want something else. It’s called “money”.

If they want to stand out, magicians have to constantly come up with new tricks that are better and more believable than other magicians. So the tricks get more sophisticated and more amazing every time. Nevertheless, they are all still illusions to trick your mind.

I’ve got no problem with magicians who make a living by entertaining others. But I do have a problem with magicians who call themselves legitimate psychics, astrologers, fortune tellers and prophets.

There are two kinds of charlatans in this category. The first one knows exactly what they’re doing. They’ve learned the tricks and use their skills to attain fame and fortune. The second one really believes that they have somehow attained special abilities or powers, and they want to help people through their “divine gifts.” The first one takes advantage of others through more trickery and deceit. The second one is just as deluded as his or her supporting believers, who also become victims of the first one, who encourages the second one, and all believers to keep on living in the rabbit hole so that the first one would still have a business to run. See how important network marketing is?

Now, let me show you how astrology works. First, consider the following as if it were given to you as a personality evaluation. Imagine I’m the astrologer and you’re the customer:

You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others’ statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.

Rate this assessment from 0 to 5, with “5″ meaning you felt the evaluation was an “excellent” and accurate assessment. I bet the average will be around 4.2 out of 5, or 84% accurate for most people.

This is a general personality description that applies to just about anyone, and it still becomes uniquely applicable to you as well. This is “The Forer effect”, as introduced by psychologist Bertram R. Forer.

Scientific studies of pseudosciences like astrology show they are not valid tools, yet there are so many satisfied customers who are convinced the readings, predictions, and assessments are accurate.

Below are two good videos of two well-known magicians - James Randi and Criss Angel - who demonstrate examples of The Forer Effect.

James Randi

James Randi shows how Astrology works with a simple experiment at a local University. This experiment proves that Astrology is nothing but a cunningly constructed illusion to fool believers for personal gain. This is a clip from PBS’ “Secrets of the Psychics”.

Criss Angel

Criss Angel debunks psychics, tarot cards, astrology and horoscope all at one time, and shows us how strange it is that people want to believe in such things.

Other articles related to this topic:

• Psychic stagecraft: how to change from magician to miracle worker
• Homeopathy: Diluted and deluded
• Faith versus the scientific method
• The “Bullshido” of martial arts and no-touch knockouts
• The big list of critical thinking and skeptical resources