Bewitched!
I love reading Greek tragedies. I am fascinated by the dichotomy of choice and destiny this literary genere presents to its readers. Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, for instance, is one of particular intrigue. Without the Oracle revealing Oedipus’s fate of slaying his father and sleeping with his mother, Oedipus’s parents would have never left the child to die, and the above foreseen events would have probably never happened. The oracle then, was the catalyst to Oedipus’s “destiny” and the entire event a self fulfilling prophesy.

I switched on the television yesterday and saw a modern oracle, Montel sitting with Silvia Browne. Silvia Browne agreed to conduct open readings to the audience and I was quite surprised at what some of these people asked and what some were willing to accept. While I beleive that true psychics exist (indeed even scripture mentions the witch of Endor), I do believe that majority of psychics are simply master people readers and precise statisticians. All the questions asked and answers given in that episode of Montel could be classified in different categories:

Category 1: Basing it on apparence and statistics:

1. A well build, athletic man asked: “will I make it to the minor leagues?” she answered confidently, “yes.” He then asked, “will I make it to the major leagues?” she answered quickly, “no.” he looked of defeat and sat down.
Seriously dude? Are you gonna take that? how about you grow some breasts and be a woman for a change and stand up for what you believe you can do?

2. A middle aged woman asked how and when she is going to die. “84” she says, “in your sleep.”

Category 2: things that can't be confirmed

1. A woman asked, “do I have ghosts in my house?” Sylvia answered, “Yes, a man and a woman." *dramatic pause* “A..A..Adam and Hillary, yes, tell them to leave.”

2. Another woman asked, “I never really knew how my father died, can you tell me?” Ms. Browne answered, “congested heart failure.”

Category 3: things that are simply not true but you say it confidently like you know it anyway

1. A woman asked if her grandfather ever comes to visit her. Being overtly ambitious, Sylvia asks, “who’s Joseph?” the woman searched her brain and told Syliva that she does not know a Joseph. “well your grandfather knew a Joseph,” Sylvia said, “and I saw Joseph with your grandfather when he stood next to you.”
Heck, I think 99% of Americans at one point or another has encountered a Joseph, and how nice that no one can confirm what she can and cannot see.

2. A young man of about 21 stood up, a white boy trying to pull a gansta, telling her that he’s got no directions and wanted to know what he should go into. “music”, she said without hesitation. When Montel followed up and asked the young man what instruments he likes to play, he answered that he does not know how to play any instruments.

As I sat there watching, I couldn’t help but wonder, how many of these will become self fulfilling prophesies? Will the athlete never try out for the major league? Will the middle aged woman be fearful every night that she’ll never wake up in the morning the day she turns 84? Will the young man now try to learn a musical instrument?

If Sylvia Browne is providing any kind of service, perhaps it is giving people closure by telling them that their loved ones are still with them, or that they were not alone when they passed away. But ultimately, I believe she is doing a disservice. As for me, I enjoy making my own destiny, and I would try out for that major league if my heart is set upon it, and there wouldn’t be anyone out there that can say or do to discourage me.