On Nov 3, 12:30 am, "=A5 UltraMan =A5" <ul...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Michael Gray wrote:
> >http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/10/10-tips-for-dea.html
>
> > By Rob Beschizza
> > October 26, 2007
>
> > "James Randi is a magician, skeptic and debunker who has made short
> > work of countless frauds, fruitcakes and sincere claimants to
> > paranormal power. The Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge
> > traditionally offers the titular award to those who can demonstrate
> > proof of such skills under rigorous test conditions. Recently,
> > however, Randi's foundation has moved beyond the strictly
> > supernatural, targeting claims made by fans of ultra-expensive audio
> > gear.
>
> > In this latest funhouse, Michael Fremer, audiophile and Stereophile
> > editor, accepted a challenge, with the backing of Pear Cables, to
> > prove that the firm's $7,000 leads are better than standard-fare one
> > can pick up at Best Buy. It's not gone well for the challengers, with
> > Pear backing out and Fremer frustrated by the all-too-public
> > negotiations between Randi and himself.
>
> > Don't let it happen to you. Whether you're psychic or merely a
> > subjectivist in matters of science, here are 10 tips for dealing with
> > Randi and claiming your dough.
>
> > . Don't claim the prize doesn't exist. This makes you look stupid. The
> > million dollars, plus a dusty film of interest, is real and stashed in
> > a Goldman Sachs escrow account.
>
> > . Don't ridicule Randi. Randi has seen you coming. The old man never
> > got a degree, but he knows more about the workings of science than
> > half the Ph.D.s in America. Randi will make faster work of you than
> > Chuck Norris if you underestimate him.
>
> > . Don't claim the testing will be rigged. Anyone remotely familiar
> > with how scientists guard against their own bias and expectation will
> > know that these double-blind experiments are designed to be
> > transparent and rigorous, using the same empirical principles as seen
> > in any kind of research. Re****ters and observers would relish the
> > chance to spot a methodological flaw or sleight of hand.
>
> > . Don't lose your temper. Don't get into preliminary cockfighting.
> > Randi is a master at delivering insults and responding to
> > communications in such a way as to make you look foolish. Before test
> > protocol negotiations have even begun, anything you say will already
> > have been used against you. The Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge is
> > as public a spectacle as there is, and the chances are that between
> > you and him, only one of you has a half-century's experience as a
> > professional showman.
>
> > . Don't forget what you're getting yourself into: boring, exhaustive
> > testing by people who think you're full of ****. If you go into it
> > thinking it's going to be a cute studio one-shot in front of Johnny
> > Carson, imagine what happened to Uri Geller happening to you twenty
> > times. If you can't pull off your trick/power/feat with statistically
> > significant results outside of Randi's lair, going inside of it is
> > simply idiotic.
>
> > . Don't bother trying to work the protocol in your favor, with plans
> > to back out honorably if the testing scenario isn't to your taste.
> > Before you even start, you'll get to determine what will constitute
> > success, and both sides agree to the rules, details of which are open
> > for negotiation. You'll even get to practice "unblinded" to warm up-a
> > dowser, for example, will do a few rounds knowing exactly where the
> > water is-meaning that there'll be no point where you can say you've
> > been fiddled.
>
> > . Don't start what you can't finish. The only thing that stinks worse
> > than bull**** is chicken****. The test is rigged one way and one way
> > only: if you get involved, backing out under any cir***stances
> > whatsoever makes you look silly. You cannot subvert this principle,
> > even if you think you're in the right: Randi has a script, you do not.
> > No-one will believe you if your powers are found to be inoperable in
> > the presence of clipboards. No-one likes a quitter.
>
> > . Don't forget the failures of those that have gone before. Singularly
> > inaccurate TV psychic Sylvia Browne accepted and subsequently fled
> > from Randi's challenge, and it wasn't pretty. Compare the swagger and
> > brio of Pear Cables' leap into the ring with the quiet brevity of its
> > reversal: a masterclass in how to turn your own product into an
> > international joke. Almost all candidates back out at the negotiation
> > stage; only a few dozen have reached preliminary tests, and all those
> > have failed to proceed to the final tests.
>
> > . Don't come flying out of obscurity expecting to get a shot at the
> > lucre. Go to the trouble of having some articles written about you, or
> > of having someone with academic credentials say what you do is for
> > real. After years taking on all-comers, the foundation's interest is
> > now homed in on the many high-profile paranormalists it considers to
> > be in need of debunking.
>
> > . Do have paranormal powers. In fact, fulfilling this one suggestion
> > lets you ignore all the others, and all but guarantees the cash will
> > be yours. What are you waiting for?"
A video/audio-taped conversation with JC while He is providing
your severed limb with a brand new one might help.
Even better would be this happening while Randi is taping it.
Otherwise, you'd best be prepared to pay your own expenses
to and from Randi-ville. And keep your prosthetic.
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