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

Or any other person involved with the JREF.
Rule 3 gives Randi complete control over publicity(all photographic, recorded, written,ect)
In Oct 1981 Fate, Randi is quoted as saying, "I always have an out!)
Randi is the Judge, Jury , and executioner of the entire test or he picks the panel of judges.
Randi refuses to have this challenge performed and tested in an independant place such as a university.
Randi changed his rules in Jan. 2007 to say he will only allow those with media credentials and r academic credentials to take his challenge because there has not been enough media coverage for his challenge. most academics dismiss his challenge for what it is:" an exorcise in which the ods are stacked against the applicant and the oly winner can be Randi
Randi has been quoted as being a self confessed Liar and con man
Given these fatcs, would you take the Randi Challenge knowing there is virtually no way you could ever win it to begin with?

sorry bout the typos guys

Randi gets to make the rules, change the rules, be the judge, and make the decision as to what is psychic and whats not.

http://www.cfpf.org.uk/articles/backgound/nichols.html

http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/exam/prescott_randi.htm

http://rense.com/general32/randi.htm
http://www.mind-energy.net/archives/163-about-james-randi-million-dollar-challenge.html
Http://www.victorzammet.com/skeptics/ultimatepsychiccon.html

great answer PSI

Answer 1

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 2

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 3

Randi has offered the million to non paranormal claims as well. Recently to those that promote homeopathy medicine. Edit: There are other organizations that have money prizes if you don't like Randi. Their rules are pretty much the same and have less money to win. But you figure that there are so many claimers, that one person would settle the issue once and for all. Legal protection is important for all parties and Randi does not conduct the testing. We all know there are hundreds of reasons why psychics won't prove themselves. But not one reason why they will. A few weeks ago, 60 Minutes had a handful of people that have extraordinary memory. You could give them a random date and they could instantly tell you what day of the week it was (remarkable alone) along with events that happened. See the second link. Now this is not a psychic ability, but these people do prove what they claim. Also they are helping scientists and doctors find the reasons for this. You won't see a "psychic" prove their claim and offer themselves for examinations.

Answer 4

Religious people and psychics sure fear James Randi as well they should

Answer 5

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 6

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

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

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 9

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)

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....