Talk:John Edward/Archive 2

message: Is the John Stewart quote notable enough to include here?  Maybe if he had an entire segment, but just one humor quip seems too little to warrant inclusion.  Thoughts on deleting this reference?  Marklanza 23:06, 30 November 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: While I don't think its inclusion is such a problem. You are probably right. Jon Stewart making a single line reference hardly seems notable enough. If every article included every joke a comedian made about them, wikipedia would be a lot larger. Ashmoo 23:58, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

text: Since John Stewart hasn't mentioned John Edward any more than he's mentioned countless other people, and since there's no citation for the statement, I removed the quote. &mdashi; Elembis 00:02, 1 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: John Stewart quote?

message: This is an article about John Edward, his claim to fame is from those who believe he can speak with the dead, this needs to be clear in the article - and is better stated with my latest edit to the opening paragraph, replacing "says" with "believed to be".  The skeptical opinion of his critics should also be noted to provide NPOV, and they are, but you cannot have the whole article from the skeptic's perspective.  Dreadlocke  ☥  18:02, 4 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Dreadlocke - I changed some of your edits (not trying a revert war!)  Hope to reach a happy medium (no pun intended.)  "Believed to be" seems even more as POV as the now-dreaded "claims to be" wording, but in the opposite direction.  I have not seen any objective studies about how many people believe he really CAN talk to spirits of dead people, but if you can find some objective studies and reference them, that would work well.  Problem with claims of paranormal is that they are often not "falsifiable", which makes it suspicious to the traditional scientific mind.Zeke pbuh 00:47, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Editor Elembis and I have been making progress and discussing the article contents.  Please do not jump in and start edit warring again.  You are incorrect, the opposite direction of "claims to be a psychic medium" would actually be "is a psychic medium".  "Believed to be" is a compromise between the two.  Dreadlocke  ☥  01:08, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: As you correctly pointed out earlier, "Claims" has a negative connotation. "Believed to be" has a positive connatation and implies a mainstream belief.  "Opposite" may not be a subtle enough word, how about it is "non-neutral leaning in the opposing direction"?  :) If you are going to use "believed to be," I would like to see some qualifications of who believes this, or objective reference that the majority of people "believe it to be so." I myself enjoy his show from time to time, so I do not think TV ratings would work for this purpose.  Zeke pbuh 01:23, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Where do you get that it has a positive connotation?  I feel it has negative impact.  Virtually anything besides "he is a psychic medium" has a negative leaning, but I'm certainly not pushing for that opposite and completely positive statement - although maybe I should be pushing for it.  Dreadlocke  ☥  01:36, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: If you use "believed to be," it should be more than one researcher with vested interest who shares this belief.  I have no problem with "believed to be" to describe Edward's "psychic powers" if you qualify who believes (presuming the qualification meets with Wikipedia standards of notability). Zeke pbuh 01:53, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Why does it have to be a "researcher"?  This is not a science journal. Dreadlocke  ☥  02:16, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

text:  If you include both beliefs in the intro, it will solve this disagreement. 75.38.16.174 02:13, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

text: Both beliefs are included in the article.  It isn't necessary to put everything in the opening, summary paragraph - especially repeating material elsewhere in the article.  Dreadlocke  ☥  02:14, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Both beliefs in the intro is a bit silly, like adding +1 and -1 to get 0.  Should be neutral as per Wiki standards, or have reference. Zeke pbuh 02:21, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I definitely agree with that. It has a reference - one that you removed and placed elsewhere - but it now looks like Elembis put it back where it belongs.  Dreadlocke  ☥  02:30, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text:  I moved the reference down to a lower section where it made more sense to me, I would not delete a valid reference.  I don't think it is a good reference for the opening since it is just one controversial researcher who is referenced as believing this.  In any event, I'm going to let you and Elembis work on this for a while, I will put my 2 cents of consensus back in when I get back from Japan in a few weeks.  Have fun, see you soon. Zeke pbuh 03:31, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

text: I think "is believed to be" carries the strongly non-NPOV implication that the belief is both widespread and largely undisputed (try "George W. Bush is believed to be a [good/bad] president", for example). WP:NPOV#Undue weight does not allow us to give preference to a view simply because it's more favorable to the subject of the article (though it's possible that a policy I'm unaware of does), so I see no reason that the introduction should mention supporters' views in a way that suggests that no other views exist. That is, someone who read the "is believed to be" introduction and knew nothing about Edward previously would be left with the impression that there wasn't any disagreement as to whether he had paranormal powers. I suggest that we change the wording to read "who some believe is" or "believed by some to be" and continue to leave mentions of critics out of the introduction as long as it remains brief. — Elembis 03:06, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: The more you add to it, especially saying things like "some believe", the more it becomes weaselish.  Also, just how many is "some"?  The clear implication of the article is that there are believers and there are skeptics - that's what NPOV is all about - including undue weight.  I don't think that anyone looking at the article will ever come away thinking there isn't a disagreement about Edward's abilities.  I dunno, perhaps there is a better word to use, but I don't see it just yet. Dreadlocke  ☥  03:15, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree that "some" is a little weaselish, but I think it's more important to keep in mind that WP:WEASEL is a guideline while WP:NPOV is a policy. And I agree that anyone reading the article would realize Edward has supporters and detractors, but we have to maintain a fair tone throughout the article and not allow bias (if that's what this is) simply because other parts of the article straighten it out. — Elembis 03:24, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Actually, NPOV also has a section against  using weasel words - which should be avoided by substantiating the edit.  Dreadlocke  ☥  00:58, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

text: I disagree that each and every sentence or part of an article must have a fair tone above and beyond what the article states overall, if this were the case then could not be criticism sections and nothing would ever be said from either side - it  wouldn't be functional.  That's not how NPOV works - other parts of the article do present the other viewpoints.  I think misunderstanding this is one of the reasons why paranormal articles are so whittled down that they contain virtually nothing.  You have to allow both views in, and if you can't properly quantify or source "believed to be" with a paranormal study, the successful shows, books and other Edward-related successes, then there's a problem.  Dreadlocke  ☥  03:37, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I don't think I said every sentence has to be fair in itself. I'm saying "is believed to be", without any mention, however oblique, of other beliefs (in the introduction) represents undue weight, which "can be given in several ways, including, but not limited to, depth of detail, quantity of text, prominence of placement" (emphasis added). To mention support in the introduction while relegating any hint of criticism to later sections is to give one view "prominence of placement". — Elembis 04:15, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: It appeared as though you were saying that, my apologies if I misunderstood.  The introduction is a short statement about John Edward - what makes him notable - what is he about.  He's notable because many believe him to be able to speak to the dead.  That's what's needed in that opening paragraph and is clearly not "prominence of placement". Dreadlocke  ☥  04:23, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: WP:NPOV#Undue weight makes no exceptions for introductions. Do you agree that the current introduction mentions Edward's supporters and relegates any hint of criticism to later sections? — Elembis 04:41, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: No, I don't agree with that at all.  The opening paragraph merely denotes what Edward is notable for, I don't think prominence of placement applies in this situation.  This is not an "exception" at all, that's just not what the policy  means.  If it did, then even if it still said "Edward says...", then that would give prominence to Edward's statements over his critics and the skeptics - but that's just not the way it works. Dreadlocke  ☥  04:53, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

text: I agree with Elembis.  John Edward is just as famous for people who believe he is "taking advantage of gullible grieving people" as he is by people who believe he is "talking to the dead".  Like the televangilists who claim to have a "direct line to God," he has a lot of followers, but also a lot of people who doubt his unverified claims. (the psychic book quoted in the article does not count as scientific verification) The opening should reflect both strongly held points of view in a neutral manner. (good luck with that!)  IP238.2 19:52, 23 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Skeptical wording

message: Other editors are now getting involved in editing that first paragraph, from both ends of the spectrum.  I'm looking for alternate wording that provides NPOV while establishing what Edward is notable for.  My first attempt: .Dreadlocke  ☥  17:28, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Dreadlocke, I like the "performing" wording in the heading, but since mediumship is scientifically unproven, so I modified to keep as neutral as possible. Beckyvolley 17:35, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Thanks Becky, I think it looks good.  Hopefully the others will too! Dreadlocke  ☥  17:38, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

text: I like your second version, good work!  "Self-proclaimed" is just a loaded term that has a definite negative connotation.  I realize other other articles use "claimed" or "purported" or "alleged", but these are all loaded terms that should be avoided. Dreadlocke  ☥  20:34, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Introductory paragraph wording

message: The South Park section seems to go into too many minor (and some unneccisarily) vulgar details on the episode.  Some of the other media references also seem too trivial (inlcuding Will and Grace).  Can we agree to clean these up to be more direct and relevant?  Also, aren't there some pro-Edward media pieces that can also be referenced for balance? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Beckyvolley (talk • contribs) 18:32, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree, the South Park entry is unnecessarily long and detailed.  It would certainly be good to include more "pro-Edward" media pieces - it's definitely out of balance at this point.  I know Larry King thinks highly of Edward!  Dreadlocke  ☥  19:30, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Edward in the media

message: Editor 75.27.234.243, please discuss your changes on this talk page before making major changes to this contentious article.  Also please refrain from making comments about the contibutor instead of the content as you did here, this is considered a personal attack.  
You've also added personal websites as citations, which violates WP:V, and added original research to the article.  If you want to take this to arbitration, be my guest - but the very first step in dispute resolution is to discuss the issues with the other editors, which you have not done.  Dreadlocke  ☥  19:05, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Anonymous editor

message: This website does not appear to meet the requirements of WP:RS:  .  It appears to be a personal website of Brian Carnell, as all the articles are written by him.  An anon editor keeps adding as it as citation.  The site should be discussed before re-adding it to the article.  Dreadlocke  ☥  18:27, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Additionally, this website talks about "Michael O'Neill," the very same person who makes the very same accusations in the Leon Jaroff article - so this is not a second reference, it is the same reference of the same story.  Dreadlocke  ☥  21:33, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Website does not meet RS

message: The statement that Edward is performing as a "mentalist" seems to be original research since none of the references identify him as a mentalist or a mentalist performer.  Yes, the references claim he "cold reads", but that in itself does not make him a mentalist.  Also, I do not believe "hot reading" is mentalist criteria - yet the current sentence wording makes it appear so.  Please supply a proper citation, let me know what I'm missing, or just remove the statement.  Thanks!  Dreadlocke  ☥  18:38, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree with you.  I look up mentalist, hot reading is cheating for them, like magician vs illusionist.  And nobody says Edward is mentalist, so I change. Marklanza 20:23, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Thanks Marklanza, I really appreciate your input!  I'm thinking we should probably leave the comment and the fact tag in place for a while to give other editors a chance to weigh in - it's a contentious entry that I'd like to see discussed here.  I'll put it back for now, if that's ok with you.  Thanks!  Dreadlocke  ☥  20:32, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

text: Oh, and "hot reading" is definitely properly referenced, so that's ok to stay.  Dreadlocke  ☥  20:34, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

text: Please sign your edits with four tildes like this: ~~~~, this makes communications much easier. As to to "mentalist"; first, it appears to be just a round-about way of actually saying that Edward is a mentalist.  Second, other diciplines besides mentalists use the technique of cold reading, from salespeople to law enforcement - it isn't strictly a "mentalist" technique.  It needs a citation.  Dreadlocke  ☥  20:16, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

text: A lot of discussion for just one word!  For "cold reading," does "fortune teller" work better than "mentalist"?  Perhaps someone can check the most common professional user of "cold reading" and plug it in place of "mentalist" ... 216.165.238.2 17:19, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: It's not about what "works better" but what meets Wikipedia policies and guidelines for inclusion, read through WP:RS, WP:V, WP:NOR and WP:NPOV for details.  Dreadlocke  ☥  20:23, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: While this article is not about cold reading, the criticism about Edward is.  The specific criticism about Edwards is around how his performance is virtually indistiguishable from that of a mentalist using cold reading to trick a subject/audience, not that of a car salesman who uses cold reading for other purposes.  I believe that the "mentalist" description of cold reading is already properly sourced in this article, hence "fact" tag not necessary here.  However, I agree that "fortune teller" seems like an unnecessary addition by (me?  did I put that in?), especially since it is implying that fortune tellers use cold reading, which some of them would dispute.     216.165.238.2 20:37, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: LOL! (who, me?  Did I do that?)  Thanks for the laugh, 216.165.238.2, I needed that!  And yes, I'm simply asking for a citation where someone calls Edward a mentalist (original version) or specifically says that he is using a "mentalist technique" (second version).  It looks like original research to me. I've asked before, but no one has pointed it out to me, and I've scanned the references but the only thing that jumps out is when Randi describes where he used mentalist techniques himself.  As another editor said in the edit summary, just drop the word, "mentalist" adds little.  Dreadlocke  ☥  20:46, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text:  Glad my embarrassment serves some constructive purpose.  The wording does not call Edward a mentalist, it specifies what type of cold reading Edward is alleged to be using.  My 2 pennies is that this is covered in the referenced references, but I added some more just in case  :)   216.165.238.2 21:28, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Thanks for the references, no need to overload, just one will do!  I'll review them when I get a chance.  Dreadlocke  ☥  21:49, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Edward as mentalist

message: Just looked at Schwartz's credentials, which are numerous.  Suggest that "author" be removed from Schwartz and Hyman (arguing with myself again?) both in this section, as it is not relevent to the study, they both have more relevant qualifications that are not listed.  Perhaps this section should be expanded a little, it seems to be the only "testing" I have seen of Edward that is not utilizing clips of his performances, yet only gets a few sentences. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 216.165.238.2 (talk) 16:55, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: They both have quite a number of credentials and titles, if we're going to add more of Hyman's titles, then we need to do the same with Schwartz. As I'm sure you saw, Schwartz is also a Professor and Ph. D.  This would make the section harder to read; I advocate simplicity and allowing the reader decide whether he/she wants more detail - which can be found in the linked articles. I would agree with expanding the section, but I don't want it be become a critical slam-fest, which I note that the article has a tendency to become.  Right now, the article is primarily critical pov.  Dreadlocke  ☥  17:26, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Just because an article is critical does not make it POV.  (for example, an article about Enron could have a lot of critical reporting in it without being POV)  Edward is undisputedly popular and succesful, with many fans, but his claims are disputed and unproven.  If you would like more "balance," perhaps you can add more pro-Edward studies and analysis to the article (though I am sure that fare and reasonable analysis of the studies will also be added). 216.165.238.2 18:00, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: If an article is critical, then that violates the very essence of WP:NPOV.  You can have criticism in an article, but it needs to be as neutral as possible, especially in the case of a WP:BLP, that policy is one reason I've been so insistent on solid sources and NPOV - focusing on undue weight, fairness of tone and even the undue weight that can be given through external links.  An article shouldn't be made "out of balance" by adding critical commentary with the expectation that someone else should add "positive" material to balance it out - it shouldn't be made unbalanced in the first place.  That's just not how the policies covering this read.  Dreadlocke  ☥  18:20, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: You phrase things much better than me do.  My above statement rephrased should have been "just because an article appears critical" does not make it POV.  If an article is critical, then I agree that it would be POV.  In Edward's case, his success and thus notability is based on controversial and unproven claims, so the controversy and criticism is an important part of this article. My attempted point above was that notable and worthy of inclusion analysis of Edward should not be removed on the sole point of "it makes him look bad" 216.165.238.2 19:09, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Ha! I like your sense of humour, 238.2!  I think you make a good editor, why don't you create an account and come fully on-board.  I agree with you, I think we're saying the same thing.  The article has improved quite a bit since I saw it several weeks ago, but it still needs quite a bit of work.  I'm trying to find the time and energy to write more on Edward himself (his history and whatnot), which I think the article needs. I just don't think a Wikipedia article on a WP:BLP should even appear critical of the subject, definitely avoiding either a sympathetic point of view or advocacy journalism.  I would just say if critical "notable and worthy analysis" is added, then make sure it doesn't give undue weight to the critical opinion - add the opposing viewpoint too, not just the criticism.  Dreadlocke  ☥  19:37, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: 238.2?  I like the sound of that.  It looks like we may be in agreement.  Just to re-iterate/clarify, people contribute according to to their interest on a subject, so it is not incumbent on an individual contributor to balance their edits with opposing viewpoints, as long as their edits are within guidelines.  If pro outweighs con or con outweighs pro, I don't think notable information should be removed due to a percieved "lack of balance", or you end up with a "wikiality" of neutrality.  Look forward to your neutrally pro-Edward notable info to this article to make me eat my words! :) IP238.2 20:21, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I guess we're not in full agreement, because I do think that negative information should be carefully reduced if it causes the article to break NPOV.  Each editor needs to make certain that his/her edits meet Wikipedia policy by not skewing the article.  For instance, in an article with multiple, fairly equal points of view, if an editor adds fifteen negative external links from the critic's pov, but there is only one positive external link - that's wrong - breaking undue weight - external links, so either reduce the negative or add more positive links - and that should be incumbent on the editor adding the negative links, or else that editor is just violating Wikipedia policy.  Anyway, I think we're getting beyond the scope of the John Edward talk page, so 'nuff said here on that subject!  Dreadlocke  ☥  22:29, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Schwartz study

message: User Dreadlocke believes that this article is taking too much of an anti-Edward slant.  Although the criticism is all well sourced, I have noticed that many of the anti- complaints on all of the medium/psychic pages on Wikipedia are pretty much the same notable people saying the similar things about each person, and the complaints on the other pages often share the same sources.  Any thoughts to creating a spin-off article along the lines of "popular psychics-skepticism," and move most of the skepticism to that page? (with a small blurb and a link pointing to the new article remaining behind) IP238.2 21:19, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I would suggest not. Such as an action is termed a POV fork, and is generally discouraged. — BillC talk 22:46, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree with BillC, although as another editor pointed out to me elsewhere, in some topics the bulk of the criticism has been moved to a separate page. This is particularly true with new religious movements. See Wikipedia:List of POV forks. The advantage is that all notable criticisms can be included while not unbalancing the main article.  While I think the Edward article definitely leans toward the critic's pov, it's not quite to the totally unbalanced level yet - plus I think there is more positive material that can be added.  Dreadlocke  ☥  23:47, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: POV fork - This would be a good name for some kind of band.  I am in the habit of changing my mind here (I'm easily swayed, even by myself!), so for now I agree against my own idea for a POV fork.IP238.2 02:17, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Hey, it was a very good thought, and a very much appreciated one!  As always, your sense of humor shines through... :)  Keep the ideas coming!  Dreadlocke  ☥  16:25, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Article spin-off

message: I've put this line ("a good editor can make... a former-dance instructor [Edward] sound like he's conversing with dead people.") back in the Criticism section because I think it makes it clear that Underdown thinks good editing consistently inflates Edward's accuracy on TV and isn't limited to "a reading" (see the other Underdown quote in that paragraph: ). — Elembis 22:52, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I think Underdown's opinion is very clear from the quote and introductory statement already provided, without adding that particular detail, which can be found in the link provided.  I have to say that including that line makes the article sound more like a gossip rag or tabloid rather than an encyclopedia. Plus, that is not really a direct quote from the article, it is an edited version - so I don't believe it's includable.  Dreadlocke  ☥  23:05, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree with this version, it doesn't need more references.  It's a small difference in wording, but it was the previous version that didn't appear to meet NPOV.  Dreadlocke  ☥  23:54, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

text: It may actually be more neutral to say "observation" rather than the more volatile "accusation", such as "Another observation has been that Edward's accuracy on television is inflated by the editing process".  Let the reader decide if it's an accusation or not.  Dreadlocke  ☥  00:04, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Underdown's "a good editor..." quote 

message: Elembis, I'm curous to know what you mean by making the South Park entry "more relevant" .  It's only revelant because it features an "appearance" by John Edward, all else is just adding more detail about the show - which readers can get by going to the link provided.  All these entries should be be just very short "teasers" about the appearance - they should not be of much length or detail in this article.  Dreadlocke  ☥  02:55, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: My goal was to give a brief synopsis that better explained how the episode related to Edward. Since the section includes a link to the episode, I wouldn't mind if the synopsis were removed. And yes, I cut the image because it was, for lack of a better word, ugly. =) — Elembis 03:38, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: LOL!  Ugly is definitely the word for it! I think that's why I found it annoying!  I totally agree with removing the synopsis from each entry.  Should we just replace it with a list of links or should there be some type of short, descriptive verbiage, like "Edward appeared in a cameo role" or "Edward was featured in several episodes"?  Something like that.. Dreadlocke  ☥  16:24, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I think they Edward-related synopsis is what makes the media appearances notable, so it would be a mistake to remove them entirely. Also, I miss the inclusion of the "South Park" award in the synopsis, as it has entered into pop culture. (My dead aunt Jaquie told me in a dream that Edward told her in one of his dreams that he thought the "Biggest Douche in the universe" award was funny.  My dead aunt Jaquie likes invading people's dreams, so watch out what you dream about!) IP238.2 20:59, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree that the award should be mentioned if a synopsis is to be present. Perhaps we could say: "Edward was declared 'The Biggest Douche in the Universe' in an episode of the same name." — Elembis 05:32, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I too agree with including the Douche comment, I would not want to be visited by Aunt Jaquie!  I like your version Elembis! - Dreadlocke  ☥  17:46, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Done. — Elembis 02:29, 20 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Hah ha!  Now that I've seen it in place in the article, I cannot stop laughing...!  That should keep aunt Jaquie happy!  Thanks Elembis! Dreadlocke  ☥  02:31, 20 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: South Park relevance

message: Someone has added offensive sentences throughout the article.  Even if you disagree with John Edward's actions it is not appropriate to add irrelevant and offensive messages in the text of the article. Unfortunately I was unable to fix it... I'm not sure why... perhaps someone else can fix it? Ebby874 06:16, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Can you give examples? There has been some vandalism recently, but I think it's all been erased at the moment. — Elembis 06:24, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Sabotage 

message: I am concerned that the introduction article is a rather bland set of statements regarding John Edward and his abilities, and represents his abilities as actual as opposed to supposed.
The introduction to the section is merely a anodyne list of his background and "achievements"-- for example. The statement 
He is best known for his television performances as a psychic medium to assist his audience members in connecting with the memories of their deceased family and friends.
This indicates that his performances are actual bona fide supernatural works , if this is to remain then the controversy and derision that his work has attracted from the liberal intellectual arts and media should also get mention in the introductory section.--Belbo Casaubon 23:27, 19 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I've reverted the opening paragraph to an earlier, completely NPOV version that was reached by a consensus of editors on this talk page.  The current phrasing, that Edward is "best known for performing as a psychic medium whose job is to help the spirits of the dead communicate with the living." in no way indicates that his performances are "actual bona fide supernatural works".  It is clear that the statement says he is "performing as a psychic medium" performing being the key word, meaning "of, relating to, or constituting an art (as drama) that involves public performance <the performing arts> ".  Also, you need to be careful what is said in the article, (see WP:BLP), and where it is placed (see Wikipedia:Criticism).  Dreadlocke  ☥  23:31, 20 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Edward as a fraudulent cold/hot reader 

message: I think it'd be better to let Edward describe his religious beliefs in his own words in the second paragraph, or at least specify a page for the One Last Time (1998) reference. Likewise, his denial of having used cold or hot reading could use a specific page reference or a direct quote from Crossing Over (2001). If I had access to either book I'd add the page numbers myself. — Elembis 20:40, 21 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Specific references from Edward's books 

message: John Edwards is a Theatrical Medium as opposed to a psychic medium  per se, describing edwards as a unqualified medium (the qualification should be theatrical ) is POV, and lends undue credibility to his performances qualifies the bona fide supernatural aura of unqualified medium which is POV, prefixing psychic medium  with Theatrical describes Mr Edwards as what is more accurate, a theatrical performer, in the mould of a vaudeville entertainer. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Belbo Casaubon (talk • contribs) 23:41, December 24, 2006 (UTC)
:Theatre (to which "theatrical" redirects) "is the branch of the performing arts concerned with acting out stories in front of an audience". So to say Edward is a theatrical medium is to say he's acting on his shows, which is to say that what he does isn't real, which, true or false, is POV. That said, the article's current description of Edward (as someone "best known for performing as a psychic medium") may still need improvement. — Elembis 22:43, 28 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  John Edward Theatrical Medium 

message: Ok, I believe the overall article is anti-Edward POV.  Someone please show me exactly where the "believers" have their viewpoint adequately represented. Dreadlocke  ☥  01:17, 16 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I see that Elembis is giving more of John's side of things, this is a good start.  Thank you Elembis!  Although I did like the heading "History", since the article itself is a biography, but who am I to quibble... :) Dreadlocke  ☥  04:13, 16 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I'm glad you liked my edit. It sounds like you're talking about undue weight: "the article should fairly represent all significant viewpoints that have been published by a verifiable source, and should do so in proportion to the prominence of each." Therefore, if a viewpoint is inadequately represented, at least one reliable source that supports the viewpoint is inadequately represented — we both understand that no viewpoint should be mentioned without reliable sources, and that, by extension, a brief mention of a viewpoint (or no mention at all) is not necessarily an instance of undue weight. I hope we're not ignoring significant pro-Edward sources, but if we are, you may be able to bring them to my attention and also recommend a way of mentioning them in the article. Any suggestions? — Elembis 04:15, 16 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I'm actually talking about zero-weight on the pro-Edward side, until recently there was absolutely nothing from that end of things - naturally giving undue weight to the skeptical side, thus violating NPOV.  I wonder if transcripts are available from his TV shows, there are a lot of "believer" comments in those, his own website may have more comments.  It's difficult finding online sources, because any pro-Edward sites that are not directly connected with him personally, are considered "fan" sites and are not considered WP:RS. Dreadlocke  ☥  04:21, 16 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Good point about WP:LOW, thanks for pointing it out - I've seen the publisher included in most articles, but it makes sense not to keep it in - but I do have to wonder how that fits with this being the "English Wikipedia" and not really inclusive of all publishers worldwide.  I wonder if our readers know how to find the publishing information from an ISBN number - seems like nice convenience to have a publisher listed - I never tried it out before, but I have to say that our ISBN information function is pretty neat!   Dreadlocke  ☥  04:28, 16 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Anti-Edward POV