For the past few days I attended an amazing meeting where I met this man. In the attached picture I am on the right and the person I was honored to meet is on the left. Can you tell me who he is? Cheers!
Yep that's gotta be him. (James Randi, with an "i".) His beard is a lot bushier now than when I saw him.
Yes! The Amazing Randi. I was the The Amazing Meeting 5.5 in Plantation Florida. It was a momentous occasion to witness in person his spoon-bending debunking of Uri Geller. Other excellent talks included Mark Roberts who debunks 9/11 myths and Robert Lancaster who debunks psychics that prey on families with lost children. Check it out: Stop Sylvia Browne All in all I recommend the meeting. The next TAM is the full integer "6", in Vegas. Cheers!
I love Randi's work. I finished reading Flim-Flam a while ago and would highly recommend it to...well, everyone. "The Mask of Nostradamus" is the next book of his on my reading list. I was very sad to hear that JREF will be retiring the million dollar challenge in a couple of years. I understand his reasons but still - as others have pointed out - the challenge is such a useful tool in arguments against woo.
I am green with envy. I want to go to one of his Amazing Meetings. I have met Penn of Penn and Teller, one of his JREF members. Did you know that Johnny Carson was the seed money man for the JREF challenge. Maybe next year for TAM 6.
I'm only an Australian, please tell me about the million dollar challenge? I suspect it is to do with divining water or something?
You would have to demonstrate a paranormal power under controlled conditions. Most applicants fail to complete the initial paperwork..
He shows that Uri Geller's performance is simple magic tricks. Randi performed for us the spoon bending trick with the explanation of how its done. Others can be found on google video and youtube.
Now I know who this man is. He appeared on the Don Lane show here back in the 80s I think it was, Don Lane shouted at him and told him to Pee off because Don had a lady on his show named Dorris Stokes who claimed to be cynics and James said he wasn't convinced. Because Don liked Dorris he was angry that James was calling her a con artist. He is a great man. Look at this: - Sorry it is a little long but I thought it was good. Aussies will get it.
