Last night, a guest on Coast was discussing Edgar Cayce, the alleged American prophet. If you're not familiar with the story, you can google the name and get plenty of info. What caught my attention was a particularly ridiculous episode that had to do with some buried pirates treasure. A similar recounting of the tale can be found here on the web. I quote below.

Edgar Cayce had earlier remarked that “…there are—and have been—treasures, or moneys, jewels, papers and such, that (had) been put in this vicinity.” But he also warned that consideration had to be given as to the underlying reasons these individuals were seeking the treasures. When he was asked how much treasure could be found there, he stated that “it would be worth more than a million….” He also made note of the fact that there were treasures buried in that area by different groups over a considerable span of time. There was even an Indian burial ground located there.

When asked for a more definite description of the location, Edgar Cayce told them that there were four areas of treasure, some as close as 10 feet down, others as deep as 26 feet. But in all cases he kept stressing that the treasures would only be located if the reasons for seeking them were the right ones. Nothing was found in 1931 as the men involved chose not to expend the time or energy on treasures that could not be easily found.

I love it when supposed psychics use this lame excuse for flat out being wrong. Anyone wishing to disprove this nonsensical notion can easily do so, and here is how. All you need is yourself and an evil friend. Unless, of course, you are the evil one, then you will need an innocent friend.

Both of you should head to your local pharmacy to purchase a package of your favorite brand of laxative. One of you will be purchasing it to treat a constipated person. The other will be purchasing the product with the intention of slipping it into the food of an unsuspecting person. You will find that, despite the differing intentions of the two individuals, the pharmacy will either have it in stock, or they will not. Either both will be able to make the purchase, or neither will.

There are many mysteries surrounding the psychic nature. One thing that is not a mystery is the scams, and the silly reasoning that is developed in an attempt to explain them. I'm sure some of his prophecies have come true, and some of his supporters may wish to point them out here. That aside, understand that I can respect a person who makes a claim I do not believe if they can admit when they are wrong. When they ask me to ignore the most basic laws of physics to believe they are right when they are wrong, I consider them to be a fraud.