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7th_Son Elite user Australia 437 Posts |
I took up the challenge, but no-one ever replied to my original email.
The whole challenge is a scam.
"Here's to our wives and girlfriends...may they never meet!" - Groucho Marx
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
I don't have the links available... if you go to some of the early issues of OnLine-VISIONS you'll find some Craig Browning articles that pertain to Randi CSIcops, etc. There are links there that take you to some very interesting data that's "anti-Randi" so to speak.
The most interesting thing about the Challenge, is that it was made public on APRIL FIRST... aka April Fools Day... it don't take too much a stretch of the imagination to go from there, now does it? |
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Jake Boone New user Cottage Grove, OR 78 Posts |
7th_Son:
Before declaring JREF's million dollar challenge a scam, you might want to check the rules again. To apply, you have to fill out and mail an application, including a self-addressed, stamped envelope. I quote from the challenge rules: "Completing this form is mandatory; there are no exceptions to this rule." Maybe that's why the JREF didn't bother to write back: you haven't yet applied for the challenge. I would certainly encourage you to do so, if you believe that you have demonstrable paranormal abilities. If you don't mind sharing, what, precisely, can you do? -- Jake
"Trust everyone... but cut the cards."
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Well, as I understand things, the "rules" get changed with great frequency and "adjusted" to Randi's advantage. Secondly, there are several tales of Mr. R getting ticked and storming off... of non-payment to those that have "stumped" him and a plethora of other such muck. The real irony is that his word is the final word on the issue vs. ACTUAL SCIENTIFIC CONDITIONS and group observation.
I'll not get into a skeptic vs. believer "discussion" in that they don't go anywhere that's productive. But in a world in which "accident" and "coencidence" DON'T EXIST I find it interesting how many times such are used as the "scientific explanation" (or is that COP OUT?) even when genuine science don't allow for such. The skeptic places the weight upon the shoulder of the beliver under the ruse that "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof." Well, they are in a similar position... they've yet to PROVE that such experiences or abilities aren't possible. In fact, much of the research to prove such has backfired and proven the contrary. Granted, what has been revealed can be seen as an "explanation" that's been removed from its esoteric/occult realm and thus, made public (such as Muscle Reading, Magnets, Electricity, etc.)but that does not negate the power of perception as it was known or understood by our ancestors. Yesterday's magic has become today's science -- but just because we can explain what used to be a mystery or phenomena, is not the same as proving the non-existence of this or that. Let's face it, all magic is fake... we merely conceal how it is accomplished in order to retain the intrigue. The same can be said about Psi abilities and paranormal manifestations... we simply haven't discovered how to harness and use, let alone meassure said energy. We will, but it will take time and it will NOT negate the fact that such energy exist... it will merely explain what it is and why some have a more natural rapport with it than others. Recently, on the TODAY show they featured a "game" table in which two individuals wear head-sets. The object of this "hockey" game is to relax.. the more you are able to relax the better your chances are at mentally moving (think PK) a small disc across the table into your "goal"... this biorthym system "PROVES" that the brian... the human mind and body, has said abilities. It is available by special order right now and will soon be produced in a more affordable version. So let's consider what ACTUAL SCIENCE has done vs. what someone's redefined perspectives of controlled science is trying to sell us. There's far more out there than most wish to accept and many actually fear. Teh "middle ground" is where you will find the truth however, not at the extremes of said pole. |
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
>Well, they are in a similar position... they've yet to PROVE that such experiences or abilities aren't possible.
Not exactly. I believe in things beyond science, so I have no axe to grind with what you have said on that level. I should however, point out a basic law of argumentation: the burden of proof. The burden of proof is always on the person making the positive claim, not on the rest of the world to refute it. If I claim I can climb up walls like Spider-Man, it's my burden of proof to demonstrate the ability in such a way that it cannot be logically refuted. It's a non-argument for me to just stand there and say, "Prove I can't climb up walls like Spider-Man." Also, some claims are such that proving an infinite negative is functionally impossible. For example, if I claim "Somewhere in the universe is an actual, living, purple unicorn. Prove me wrong." You could explore galaxy after galaxy and all you could prove is that the parts of the galaxy you explored didn't have purple unicorns. I could still flub that you either explored the wrong planet, or that the unicorn moves a lot, so you might have missed him. In the final analysis, it's not your burden of proof to prove the unicorn "is not;" it is mine to prove the unicorn "is." Until I can show you an unfaked purple unicorn, you can safely assume they don't exist. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Gesh! Now look who's getting Metaphysical... (that's a joke, for those that understand what the term really means...)
I understand fully what you're saying Steve BUT... you have to admit that "Coincidence"is a major cop-out that's used far too often by the so-called "Know it alls" of the skeptic's realm. It's right up there with the Psychic's excuse of "harmonics" being out of sync, etc. Not to be disrepectful, but the other irony around all of this is the plethora of "religious" individuals who side with the skeptic's pov, ignoring the fact that they're likewise devaluating their so-called "testimony of faith" when pointing fingers at the supposed fallacy and falsehood of other's beliefs e.g. Mine is right and true; your's is satanic and false. Sorry, but parting waters; turning water to wine, and raising the dead were "miracles" recorded in other lands and cultures, credited to other "Messiahs" long before JC and the Sunshine Gang came along... If folks want to be skeptics and shallow, they really need to avoid being hypocrits at the same time... .as the old cliche'goes... You can't have your cake and eat it too! BTW... I know there is a Purple Unicorn... my grand-daughter has a big plush one laying on her bed that she sleeps with every night. |
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