Can anybody take James Randi seriously?

Question

According to the JERF web site(James Randi Educational Foundation) it will not deposit this million dollars in Escrow, display in cash, or provide proof in any way in advance of a test that the money exists. In fact it doesnt, its in the form of bonds, not cash.

James Randi is a showman, not a scientists. According to James Randi himself, scientists are not qualified to test for Paranormal Proof since they are easily duped.

In the introduction of the rules to his challenge it states, "all tests must be designed in such a way that the results are self evident and no judging process is required! Most scientific research depends on statistical results that need to be anylized by experts to judge the significance of what happened.

The contender has to pay all expenses involved with getting to the JREF and while staying there as well while being tested.

Rule 7 says: when entering this challenge the applicant urrenders any and all rights to legal action against Randi.( do not answer yet

Answer 1

Anyone,in this day and age,where lawyers rule.That thinks a true psychic couldn't walk in and take that million.Making a fool of Randi at the same time is just making excuses.It's almost as if you're blaming Randi and other non-believers.The fact is very simple.Despite all the claims.Not one psychic, many of them millionaires.Will step up to the plate and hit one out of the park.Shutting Randi and the rest of the skeptics up for good.How sad this grasping at straws is.

Answer 2

Sure anyone can take anything anybody says seriously or not that's a personal choice. However,  both scientist and many well informed skeptics dismiss this challenge.

"But as a leading Fellow of CSICOP, Ray Hyman, has pointed out, this "prize" cannot be taken seriously from a scientific point of view: "Scientists don't settle issues with a single test, so even if someone does win a big cash prize in a demonstration, this isn't going to convince anyone. Proof in science happens through replication, not through single experiments."

(link to source below)

Answer 3

Just a over the hill magician seeking publicity. Pretty smart really. Anytime anyone brings up esp, or paranormal ability, he gets his 15 minutes all over again.

There is no way to win his contest. He will always claim that this or that was not quite good enough to win, so try again.

Answer 4

Pretty much the only way to win the Randi challenge is to actually have psychic powers. Pretty unfair, if you ask me.

Answer 5

After he exposed john edwards fake, I BELIEVED HIM 100%

Answer 6

I googled the guy, he sounds like a pompous a**.

Answer 7

I don't think that psychic phenomena occur in a way that would satisfy "The Randi Challenge". I doubt that if someone possessed the kinds of abilities James Randi demands proof of they would be in need of his money. They might not want the publicity.

Answer 8

Not only I can't take him seriously, but I also heard he's a lousy tipper! And he growls at little children!

Answer 9

1.) Any portfolio should have a diverse asset allocation.  That means not all of it is in liquid cash.  However, that doesn't mean the money isn't available.  If Randi had invested this money in cash back when he only had $10,000, then he would have about $20,000 now instead of over $1,000,000.  Using the excuse that he doesn't have the money really has no impact since you have to earn the money before you are entitled to receive it.  No one has ever come close.

2.) Randi is indeed a showman.  His showmanship is very important when evaluating paranormal claims.  His skills as a magician have given him insight into how tricks are performed.  He has busted people who fooled scientists.  Besides, he works with scientists so his skill set doesn't matter.  He never said scientists are unable to test, he said scientists aren't necessarily adept at catching the tricks.

3.) Of course the participant has to pay his own way.  Why would the JREF--a not for profit--pay to house and feed this person?

4.) It's Randi's money so he has a say in what the terms of the agreement are.  One of the terms is that the threshhold of success is stated by the participant taking the challenge.  This is an interactive process.  It's his challenge, so he gets to control the publicity.

5.) He doesn't prevent the claims the applicant makes from being tested anywhere the applicant wishes them to be tested, but if the applicant wishes to win the $1,000,000, then he has to do so at a place they both agree upon.

6.) The rules changed so that only someone who has received media attention can take the challenge.  This is to weed out the crackpots that were taking up a lot of his time.  If you have a talent, then get an academic to check you out or get a story written about your talent.  This is just a matter of economics of time.  Once a person has a public persona then they can be tested in the challenge.

7.) Randi is a self confessed liar?  When did he ever say he is a liar?  I'd love to see your source on this one.

The fact of the matter is the challenge is a test of paranormal powers.  If you are unable to demonstrate your paranormal powers accurately and repeatedly then you aren't going to win the money.  If you truly have such powers then you should be able to perform them under scrutiny.  That's how you earn the million.

I encourage everyone to read the follow:

Answer 10

i agree with psi as well, proberly lots of experiments have been proven right already but it still wouldnt be enough to prove it does exist....if i could prove something with enough evidence, james randi would be the last person i would go to...i wouldnt care of the money, or treat it like a contest, id be far more interested in how it worked....

Answer 11

Since I think that "psychic powers" come through spirits...and spirits don't need money...I understand why spirits won't let you test them. (ALTHOUGH...the Bible says to "test the spirits to see if they be of God or not") (I don't know what verse that is or if it's the exact words) (a Bible expert can correct me). Maybe the spirits have a mutual agreement that they won't show up for things like Randi's testing.(just another one of my "ideas".)

EDIT..I hesitate to tell this...but...I was "tested" one time (and probably lots of times I didn't realize I was being tested). When I was into automatic writing (before I realized the dangers of it)..2 Jehovah Witness men came to my house (someone had sent them..they knew about my automatic writing). They wanted to see me do it. They said "Ask who Jehovah is." I did (with my hand shaking) and I (?) wrote(with the words connected) "Jehovah is Almighty God who loves you very much".  I know you will only believe that I wrote that...but I didn't know what word (or letter) was coming next. (I didn't tell you this to try to convince you)