James Randi's $1m Challenge

[Loosehead]

Are all the psychics, mediums, and other assorted mystics already so rich that they don't want to pick up the $1m offered by Randi for a demonstration of paranormal activity under test conditions (or indeed any other form of mystic ability). Or is,as is more likely, the whole lot complete cobblers. The last serious attempt was by Horizon to evaluate homeopathy they managed to confirm that it was a load of tosh, who will be next up?

[Chillum]

It's probably high moral values and integrity that prevents them from demeaning their "gift" for financial gain. And I predict that Scotland will win the next world cup.

[Quizmonster]

Most 'mystics' believe that their powers - which they claim to be based on positive thought-processes of one sort or another - are somehow prevented from working by the presence of negative thoughts on the part of the scientific observers.

There is not the slightest doubt but that dowsers can find water - whether mystically or otherwise - though none has been able to do so under test conditions. How would one explain that other than by just being dismissive? (I'm not saying I personally believe the means are supernatural, by the way!)

Were you around in 1978, Chillum? That was when the World Cup was held in Argentina and all Scotland had to do was turn up, as everyone else would just be wasting a journey. The glorious, euphoric days of Ally's Tartan Army! The whole country - Scotland, that is - believed it, too!

[Chillum]

oh, I was around QM, still carrying the mental scars.

[anthomson]

Most paranormal evidence is just too vague to be measured scientifically and 'psychics' deliberately use this vagueness to protect their 'gift'.  i.e. you can't actually prove it is false. There is no reason why a psychic shouldn't be able prove his ability e.g. a medium could give you very accurate information like phone numbers but the fact that they never do tells me that it quite likely all complete cobblers.

[tracymort]

For a load of tosh homeopathy has sorted my family out a whole load! My Gp was shocked when my baby son's eczema (which was very bad) completely cleared up in just a few weeks using homeopathy. After that i never went back to conventional medicine. i know it works, thats all that matters to me. i also think the answer lies in the quantum physics area if they need an answer to how it works so i reckon it will be 'proven' to Randi's standards eventually.

[Marvin84]

Here is an interesting thought..... What does it matter whether or not it works? There will always be those who believe and those who don't....

I think that the question should be more like "prove that it works for  me" rather than "prove that it works".... As for testing these therapies.... in this day of information, I think that it is more than likely that we can easily prove AND disprove ANY subject - maybe the test itself should be looked at rather than the subject matter!!

:-)

[Timbomachino]

I think Marvin84 is on the right lines. James Randi is a professional sceptic, don't forget, and makes a lot of dosh from being sceptical on the telly. He's probably made a lot more than a million bucks by just being a negative dork. In my opinion Mr Randi is no more bonafide than David Copperfield. Anyway, sorry to go on but wasn't Randi a magician himself? Maybe not very good and decided to come up with a challenge as a perpetual publicity stunt. T

[Loosehead]

That's the whole point Timbo!

Randi was a magician and that is one reason why he claims all the so called psychic phenomenon are merely conjurers. He, David Coperfield et al never claim to have strange powers, they do tricks.

If Randi's a dork cos he's sceptical then I need a new superlative for the self deluding idiots that think they have super powers

[Marvin84]

I was thinking more on the lines that there are always going to be people who want to believe and people who don't. And in this mix are those who want to discredit either side.....

When you take this out of the equation you are still left with the same question - is it true or not?

And you either have to believe or not.... :-)