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Randi agrees that non-paranormal claims can win the prize.
3rd Nov. 2006 |
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Introduction
James Randi is a man who is greatly respected by many sceptics. His methods are
well known. He sets himself up as the ultimate authority of what is rational and what is not. Even
Nobel Laureates are told that they must submit to his tests should they express any belief in the paranormal.
Anyone making a claim that he considers irrational receives
the challenge.
The person making the claim must prove it to Randi's satisfaction under conditions that
meet Randi's approval. Anyone successfully doing so will win a prize of One
Million United States Dollars, donated to him by his friends in the skeptical community. He is so convinced that his opinion is right that he is willing to put Penn Jillette's money where his mouth is.
I have decided to apply for his challenge.
This web site sets out exactly what my claim is and why It's legitimate under Randi's own rules. It will allow the
public to follow the progress of the claim from initial enquiry to final resolution.
All correspondence shall be put on this site, with updates made as frequently as possible. Let the results of this application be seen by all. Let everyone see just how James Randi treats people who respond to his challenges. If Mr Randi treats me fairly or unfairly, it will be in full public view. If he's right, and I'm wrong, it will be seen by all. If he's wrong, and honours his obligation, that will be seen. If he's wrong, and backs out, that too will be seen. I will make no predictions about Mr Randi's future behaviour, I shall just record what happens and let people judge for themselves.
It should be noted from the start that the phenomena I intend to demonstrate are perfectly natural and normal. However, James Randi does not believe they exist at all, has described me as "delusional" for believing in them, and has issued a challenge to prove that they exist. This has been a central theme of his lectures for twenty five years, if not longer. The fact that he has done so makes my application legitimate. I don't consider my claim to be paranormal, but he does. He has described his challenge in the following way: prove me wrong and win a million dollars. He is wrong, and I accept the challenge to prove it. James Randi has been spreading pseudoscientific nonsense for years. Demonstrating this is a legitimate matter for the million dollar challenge under the rules set by Randi himself.
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| This article copyright by Peter Morris all rights reserved. |
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