The Early Curley FAQ

The Early Curley FAQ

What did Henry Gordon think of Earl Curley back in 1986?

"I finally found one - a psychic who claims he is not psychic. Earl Curley of Ottawa tells strangers intimate facts about themselves, makes predictions of future events, claims to have aided law enforcement agencies in finding criminals and missing persons - all this, but he's not psychic. How does he do it? Nothing to it - it's 'intuition'. Curley and I met head-on at a recent taping of the Brian Gazzard Show at the studios of CFCF-TV in Montreal. This syndicated program has been aired weekday mornings on the Global network in the Ontario region for the past couple of years. The host of the show, Brian Gazzard, usually has one or two guests interreacting with a studio audience. My first appearance last year was solo, and was a breeze. This year, appearing with a member of the opposition, the atmosphere was definitely more charged. If Curley is not psychic, and operates through intuition, what then, I asked, is his definition of this term? 'Intuition', he asserts, 'is an ability to verbalize a situation... and then in turn create a... picture of that event.' That sounded a little inverted to me. I asked where the picture came from in the first place. Curley changed the subject. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the definition of intuition is 'the immediate apprehension of an object by the mind without the intervention of any reasoning process.' A scientific study in 1947 found that the intuitions studied were perceptions absorbed below the conscious levels and were based on 'sensory observation of the subject.' Which would seem to rule out anything of a paranormal nature. But that doesn't discourage the occultniks who grasp the vagueness of the term 'intuition' and use it to further their arguments. Curley then began to demonstrate his 'intuitive' powers by doing a couple of readings. He selected a young woman in the audience and proceeded to tell her she was going through a periods of turmoil, that she had decided to become independent, and not to get involved in new relationships. She was quick to verify the accuracy of his reading. There are two principles of cold reading involved here. First, the generalities would apply to almost any young person in today's society. Second, under certain conditions a subject, particularly one who has a tendency to be a believer, will be quick to validate a psychic reading - even if only part of it seems to be accurate. Up to this point it was good, clean fun. But then Curley proceeded to 'read' an elderly woman in the audience, and made the same harmful error I've seen repeated many times by so-called psychics. 'The lower portion of that left lung,' he told her, 'is a little out of shape. I do strongly recommend that you... have that looked into very shortly. You have some scar tissue there... you do have a little asthmatic problem...' I interjected, 'You have lower back pain.' This is a standard pronouncement. Who doesn't have it after middle age. After all, I too could have a well-developed intuition. Strangely, Curley quickly disagreed. 'Not at all.' Brian Gazzard interrupted to ask, 'Wait a moment, do you have lower back pain?' 'Sometimes,' said the shaken woman. Curley didn't hesitate. 'But not at this time.' A quick comeback - the mark of an experienced fortune teller. He continued, '...I don't know who talked you into going on a diet, but you forget it, because you're not supposed to be on one.' The woman answered, 'I'm not on one.' I pointed out to the audience the possible psychological harm that can be done when a person, particularly an elderly one, is fed this type of nonsense about a lung problem - by an unqualified layman. As if to underscore this, when the program was over, a woman who had been sitting next to the subject, approached to tell me that the woman was very upset by the reading, and was really concerned about her condition."

[Toronto Star: 3 August 1986]

"The self fulfilling prophecy is still with us. It can affect people's lives - particularly those who are easily influenced. Earl Curley does not claim to be a prophet, but he does forecast future events. Not only does he forecast them, he can alter them. How? Simply by, as he puts it, 'changing reality'. For example, he forecast an attempt on the life of U.S. vice president George Bush - which caused a change in plans regarding Bush's movements, therefore aborting an assassination attempt. That's Mr. Curley's claim, the evidence for which I have not yet seen. Believe me, I requested the evidence on the program - I pleaded for it. I'm still waiting for it. Curley seems to have the capability of solving a problem that has been challenging some of the worlds's greatest intellects for some time: the eradication of the threat of terrorism. In his words, 'We now have a group of people who work on possible threat situations with world leaders... we have the capability of projecting an exact scenario... down to the exact time, the exact date and the exact individual (who may be threatened).' These obviously world-shaking facts should not be confined to a mere syndicated television program. This, I think is something for the United Nations to act on. Another claim by Mr Curley: After the tragic Air India disaster over the Atlantic, he was able to describe how the plane broke up. Fascinating. But why was this engrossing story not picked up by the world press? There is one problem that always comes up when I face off with a psychic: The claims of prophecies and psychic feats fly thick and fast. My requests for documented evidence fall on deaf ears. Now, who has the time or the inclination to follow up on all these wild claims. They sound great to the uninitiated listener or viewer. I can't possibly refute them on the spot. But when I do find the time to check on the odd claim at a later date, I get the strangest answers. In the case of Mr. Curley, he made one very definite claim: Back at the time of the investigation of the Atlanta multiple murders of children, Curley advised us that he gave a composite drawing and a profile of the unknown killer to the FBI. He strongly implied that, as a result of his input, Wayne Williams was apprehended 4 1/2 days later. Nothing fuzzy about this claim. A couple of phone calls to the FBI in Washington soon cleared that up. Here's the direct quote from the FBI's Press Information Office (and yes, I do have evidence): 'Mr. Curley contacted our Atlanta office (voluntarily) in 1980 and 1981. He sent in some kind of writeup of what he thought the subject would look like, and he sent in some sort of a drawing.' 'However, there was no impact on the case as a result of what he sent in.'"

[Toronto Star: 10 August 1986]

When a Gerald Carter posted these articles on CNCI BBS, what was Earl Curley's response to him?

"Heh Gerald! Grow up will you. Everyone in these conferences have already mentioned they are becoming a little bored with my credentials being posted, but thanks anyways. If you really want to do some research try reading 'Psychic Deception' by Henry Gordon, 'The Flying Bandit' by Heather Robertson, 'Operation Morning Light - The Search For Cosmos 954' by Leo Heaps, and every newspaper between 1977 - 1992. As well why not contact Canada AM, CTV, CBC and a few others. If you intend to quote my friend Henry Gordon only you might also be kind enough and get Brian Gazzard's side of our program. We had initially contracted to do one one hour show and because Henry Gordon finally met his match in public the producers asked us to do one more program. My friend Henry was at least kind enough to mention me in his book. Oh yes, Ger, I did mention Henry and I are mutal friends, didn't I. I might be an idea to keep your nose out of something where it doesn't belong."

[EC: 24 January 1994 personal message]

What is Earl Curley's belief about the paranormal?

"There are times where our minds open up and there is a free flow of informations. Call it psychic or call it intuition. In my opinion that is semantical. We all have unknown and uncharted capabilities which are non-measurerable and undefined. Palm reading, astrology, tarot, I Ching, whatever, are tools which allow our minds to hone in to a certain area and express our opionions without reservations."

[EC: 3 December 1993 post on CNCI BBS]

How does Earl Curley define a skeptic?

"In my opinion a skeptic is someone who lacks the incentive, intellect or ambition to view anomalies with a sound, rational, scientific mind and relies on his verbal barrages to dissuade others from using their common sense. It would be nice to see all the so-called skeptic's excess energy used in a constructive manner by doing everything possible to PROVE once and for all whether something is factual or not. Quite frankly it is my opinion that a skeptic is a highly insecure individual who preys on subjective personalities as a 'psychological piranha' trying to instill his own lack of knowledge and negative insecurities into his prey."

[EC: 4 December 1993 post on CNCI BBS]

Does Earl Curley have a philosophy of discourse?

"Sometimes we ALL make mistakes which we aren't proud of. I learnt a long time ago that there are many who 'shit-disturb' (excuse my French) mainly because they have set themselves up as authorities, but only with those who are gullible enough to listen to them. Believe it or not I'm probably one of the most regular guys you can meet. Defensive! Absolutely not... Direct and to the point.. You had better believe it. Combative!! No way Hosea.. But if there are those who believe I'll walk away with my tail between my legs, BOY have they got a learning experience coming their way. I understand that communicating on a BBS is different, but might I say, I write how I speak. I'm neither forceful nor egotistical. Again direct, yes, this is my philosophy."

[EC: 21 December 1993 personal message]

Why does Earl Curley spend so much time on the electronic highway?

"Life is too short to not adjust to changing times and rectify ordeals. My life revolves around authoring books, corporate and government consulting, running the smallest yet most unique BBS 'Psychic Quest' (416) 235-1953, and more importantly information gathering about anomalous phenomena (psychic) or virtually anything that is unknown. I enjoy meeting and conversing with others strictly to exchange informations and learning experiences and this is one of the main reasons I BBS my life away."

[EC: Resume on CNCI BBS, December 1993]

Who is Allan D. Fairbridge?

"He was a school teacher who works with disabled students and instructs them in computer sciences."

[Susan J. Bell (EC's soon-to-be secretary): 28 January 1994 post on CNCI BBS]

How did an Allan D. Fairbridge describe himself on CNCI BBS?

"Government and corporate consultant, computer bulletin board access advisor, and presently compiling a brief to be submitted for BBS inclusion into guide lines controlled by the CRTC."

[Resume on CNCI BBS, December 1993]

After Earl Curley was criticized on CNCI BBS by a skeptic, how did an Allan D. Fairbridge come to his defense?

"I happen to know Earl Curley quite well and might I also suggest to you that if you even had one-tenth of his knowledge about the field of parapsychology you might be able to respond in a more intellectual and construct manner so that everyone in this conference could benefit."

['Allan Fairbridge': 4 December 1993 post on CNCI BBS]

What was this Allan Fairbridge's *real* connection to Earl Curley and why was Earl Curley kicked off CNCI BBS?

"The administrators of CNCI did a very detailed check of both accounts including log entries and telephone information given by both users. The evidence shows that Earl was using the name Allan Fairbridge to post messages which would support his stand in the Paranormal conference on CNCI and also to misuse the gateway with Magic to send messages to the Magic Dreams and Paranormal conferences even though Allan did not have an account on Magic and therefore could not have read any messages on Magic. Earl stated in messages that he did not know Allan."

[Kevin Omura (Administrator, NewsRoom BBS): 28 January 1994 (quoted by Susan J. Bell) post on CNCI BBS]

How did Susan J. Bell respond to this information?

"I read those messages to, on Psychic Quest, BBS. Whenever a subject is discussed there are cross-posts from other's so that we can understand things better. I log on Psychic Quest. Mr. Fairbridge posts a number of replies on there, as well as a number of other's who frequent Magic and CNCI and maybe that's how he read them. I don't know."

[Susan J. Bell: 28 January 1994 post on CNCI BBS]

What was Earl Curley's reaction?

Thursday, January 27, 1994 7:56:26 AM

From: Earl G. Curley,Magic

Subject: WITHOUT PREJUDICE

To: Joe P. Wilson,CNCI; Kevin Administrator

It has been brought to my attention that the following message is posted on your bulletin board in the conference "The Paranormal":

*******************************************

Wednesday, January 26, 1994 11:49:06 PM

The Paranormal Item

From: Hans Havermann

Subject: Honesty in the Paranormal

To: The Paranormal

When I last posted to this conference, it was in response to a [Dec.4 ] blast from one Allan D. Fairbridge [Re(6): Palm Reading - Thanks], defending one Earl G. Curley: I happen to know Earl Curley quite well and might I also suggest to you that if you even had one-tenth of his knowledge about the field of parapsychology you might be able to respond in a more intellectual and construct [sic] manner so that everyone in this conference could benefit.

Now that we know that Mr. Fairbridge and Mr. Curley are one and the same person I am left with some nagging questions: How does one feel about this deception? Do the means justify the end? Is knowledge in the field of parapsychology inversely proportional to honesty?

Hans 8-{)

*******************************************

Please be advised that this information is false, defammation of character, libelous, malicous and will not be tolerated. Neither Allan D. Fairbridge or myself are one and the same. Mr. Fairbridge can be reached by telephone at 314-6226 and I may be reached by telephone at 235-1138 to confirm our identiies. Might I suggest, that you immediately confirm the separate identies and immediately post confirmation of the same on your BBS and in "The Paranormal" conferences.

Since I am a public figure, and you have allowed such innuendoes to be posted publicly on your BBS and in a "moderated" conference which originates at the NewsRoom BBS, please be advised that I am holding both of you legally responsible for any defammation of character which originates from either "The Paranormal" conference and/or CNCI BBS.

I have requested an apology from both of you, Joe P. Wison and Kevin O'Mara, and I do expect this request to be forthcoming as well as a retraction.

(The above in no way is a condition of harrassment, but is strictly filed to eliminate future litigation.)

Earl G. Curley

January 27, 1994.

*** Emotions, Intution and Changing Reality ***

Did Earl Curley ever get his apology and retraction or was there ever any litigation?

No.