5 replies to this topic

[The Proposer]

i was looking on a website which set the parameters for Randis tests and he seems deliberately to put obstacles in the way and change the parameters for each test,i remember Doris Stokes challenging him once but he declined.

[PurpleStuart]

you should add a URL in so we can read it aswell

[aquatus1]

I would like to see the link as well.  James Randi and his judges do set standards for each challenge individualy, for the simple reason that people come in with different claims and limits.  Part of the contract that one agrees to is that the tester and testee will exchange correspondence until a satisfactory set of rules is agreed upon.  Yes, there are times that agreement simply cannot be reached, such as when the testee refuses to accept a limitation which would remove a natural variable, such as a wind barrier for a telekinesis test, and there are even times when claims are dismissed without even a preliminary investigation, such as claims to immortality, which, not to put too fine a point on it, can only be proven one way.

There is no doubt that Randi is arrogant, and sometimes rude, but his credibility is fairly high, and his methodology is hardly atypical of what any test of a specific force would require, i.e. isolation of said power.

[Nyarlathotep]

[bathory]

and on a side note, Kent Hovinds evolution proof test is nothing like this:)

[Nyarlathotep]

Here is a link to a copy of the aplication for the challenge.  It has a pretty good overview of the consditions that are set for it.