James Randi & Massimo Polidoro

[martini4948]

Dott.James Randi,

I really appreciate his work as the unmasking of fraud, as well as Dott.Massimo Polidoro, mah! When we meet James Randi's Million Dollar Challenge "

I am poor financially, I can hardly move could come to Trieste? I am an old man with health problems..

Thanks.

[martini4948]

Dear scientists,Dr. James Randi, in this challenge will not neither losers no winners, everybody are winners , because we discovered something new about the world, our knowledge will be more complete ..

Thanks.

[martini4948]

Clarification:

I have no interest ... venal interests.. I'd like to understand! .. James Randi's Million Dollar Challenge..I m ready although If I win the 1 Million Dollar will remain yours

Thanks.

[martini4948]

@ebrobaru If you want to know..

Researchers Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal Italy they have brought me the Protocol:

Document: "outlines the general rules of the offer by James Randi who It has claims of paranormal powers" ....

Docunento: Scientist "Dr. James Randi, will deliver the sum of 1 billion to anyone who can demonstrate any paranormal or supernatural power under appropriate controls"...

than what happen? No thing..Have had passed 5 years

[martini4948]

I'd like to inform that I'm ready since 1 - 12-1990 ( "20 years ago) for the challenge by 1 million dollar

Thanks.

[martini4948]

I'd like to inform..

Science & Psychokinesis

Fact. i see through the objects:walls,stones,beam,hand­s,other. i have created images:portraits,animal's faces on Clouds & Varnish from long distance and to give intentional shape, the area in the clouds must be established before the test.

[martini4948]

 The Skeptical movement in Italy is great..

[TheBenEEeee]

Mummify eggs? Ha! I've got one better; I can make life grow from old milk!

[maurpine]

i'm glad to know people in other countries are following The Amazing Randi's footsteps.

[kevrs2]

Walter Cronkite?i always need a walter ,ever morning, its a load of my mind ,hahahaha

[JohnnyX1239]

Who the fuck does James Randi think he is calling who do this stuff are self-deluded? Maybe HE is the crazy one thinking he is God or in other words judge others like that...I pity this guy, he has no sensitivity or respect for people who practise these kinds of stuff.

[BiodegradeableMan]

@JohnnyX1239 hee hee so you think that magic crystals will cure cancer? Grow a brain.

[Endevin]

@JohnnyX1239 Who do you think you are calling James crazy and overreacting claiming he thinks he's God and such nonsense? I pity you because you strike me as the kind of person who just accepts everything as it is told to them without question.

[n0deity]

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny...

[Licenciada]

If the pshychics don't have anything to hide, why they don't put themselves into the challenge?

I think that the pshychics are the ones that don't have respect or sensitivity fo other people's feelings, making them believe they have powers when they have none

[laraesque]

@Licenciada, you said "think that the pshychics are the ones that don't have respect or sensitivity fo other people's feelings." I have a good friend who is a wonderful, empathetic person who considers herself to be a psychic. She amazes her own family and friends with the things she seems to know that she apparently has no way to know otherwise. I think she is deluded, but could never say that, since she is amazingly well-meaning. I think many alleged psychics fit in this category.

[magrpe]

@laraesque: Your friend's family and her friends will have an automatic cognitive bias towards her perceived ability. In other words they are empathetically bound to 'humour her'. This is why all psychics fail in cold, hard clinical trails where emotional attachment to the result is removed.

[laraesque]

@magrpe I do understand that. However, my point is that someone said psychics don't respect other people's feelings. I have to disagree that this is a fair generic statement. The example I used is a person who actually runs a business with many repeat customers. They believe and that makes them happy. I think it's self-delusion, but not charlatanism. It would still not stand up to scientific scrutiny.

[KCKatheist]

@JohnnyX1239 First, you should learn to 'practice' proper grammer and sentence structure. Second, you should do a little research on James Randi's career as an illusionist and thus his credibility in regards to exposing hoaxes, charlatans, and attempting to introduce reality to the 'self-deluded'. Mr Randi is rational, pragmatic, and an engaging gentleman. I would go so far as to call him an icon. As for you; you're an idiot.

[dookdawg214]

Too bad there's no Massimo in France where I live. I'm not aware of any skeptic movement here. And few places in Europe need a JREF more than France. This country is the king of homeopathy -- it's taken very seriously here -- astrology and everything else.

[alien8ted]

@dookdawg214, France is actually better than most countries at skepticism, you guys actually managed to imprison some members of the $cientologist cult for fraud last year, and that's no mean feat! You could start a skeptic movement in France yourself, google 'skeptics in the pub' for tips on how you can do this, and they may even help you set it up. You could spearhead a skeptical revolution in France! You'll find here are more skeptics in your country than you imagine.

[tiyenin]

"The ideomotor effect is a psychological phenomenon wherein a subject makes motions unconsciously. ... Automatic writing, dowsing, facilitated communication, and Ouija boards have also been attributed to the effect of this phenomenon." -Wikipedia

[x1tekja]

Hurray for another face and voice of reason in Italy... Go Massimo!

[Capt777harris]

1:51 is probably the best safety caution I've ever heard. I used to think a family member was constantly trying to help me for my benefit, then common sense kicked in, and everything fell into place when I discovered otherwise.

We al see things we want to see, for attention mostly. The poor inadequate types who claim to have psychic powers or marvelous technologies are either con-men or nut cases.

[kpirooz92]

You believe that bullshit?

[Capt777harris]

Believe that my mother was constantly trying to help me? Yes. Believe in psychic powers? Hell no! But there are some people who believe I do, and I'd love to kick their fucking presumptuous asses.

[zapopaul]

i think i should get the million dollar prize... my supernatural power is common sense...and these days it's so rare, i think it would be fair to call it supernatural.

[SpeedFreakNO]

It's like having a super power, and the super power is that you never stump your toes :P Not exactly what you'd choose if you could choose a super power :P

[painet1776]

Randi looks like Plato, or some kind of ancient philosopher...

[RyuDarragh]

Saluti, Pollidoro. Lo invidio la vostra occasione incontrare il grande James Randi :) Goda di! Mr. Randi, I have a good one for you. There are people who, in similar double blind tests, are, indeed, sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. This has been used to explain dowsing. Turns out, however, that those who have this sensitivity usually can't be run through MRI machines for good reasons! Always struck me that dowsers are remembering the hits and discounting the misses.

[ViralMessiah]

it'd screw up the whole movie when he explained how the magic tricks were an effect and that it's not real,and Sauron is imaginary

[borrofburi]

I like how you point out they *honestly* believe it. They really do, I am tired of people saying "so and so is a con man", well, maybe, but if they are they're conning themselves, because they do honestly believe it.

[ViralMessiah]

i think it's important to point out that many of them don't though,Jon Edwards,Sylvia Browne....those two are just con-men

[CorndogMaker]

Why do people rationalize their magical powers even after it is demonstrated to them that they do not have said powers?

[stefanmuc2k]

If they are correct, then they are important people, one in a million, they have special power, what they do matters. If they are not correct they are losers without any skills who have effectively (though not deliberately) swindled many people by providing ineffective solutions to their problems.

Of course they desperately want the former to be true.

[CorndogMaker]

makes sense.

[frilink]

Is he atheist as well???

[MilitantAtheistAhole]

he would make a better wizard, can't remember his name, but the wizard for the color of magic. he would be awesome in that role.

[chaossource]

@MilitantAtheistAhole

Rincewind?

[omegavalerius]

So when can we expect the Italian skeptics to test the Vatican? Oh right, they know they are full of shit they don't want to be tested.

[jeremyshambles]

it is also not good for business to be exposed- there's more decor to be gold plated. cheers

[Alquanole]

Done.

If you watch the video you'll hear him say around 1:30 that CICAP investigated the Miracle of the Blood of Saint Gennaro.

[omegavalerius]

Ah, I didn't know that referred to the Vatican. Congratulations then for starting to take on the big fish (more will come I hope).

[Alquanole]

IRC CICAP was also behind the testing of the "Sacra Sindone" the blanket that allegedly was used embalming Christ's dead body.

The result (different techniques were used) was that it was made around 1400 CE

[omegavalerius]

I think I remember that one. Did the church really think they were real or why did they let our Italian skeptic friends test them?

[Alquanole]

I don't remember very well.

I think it was something connected with the need to clean it without damaging it that opened the way to the testing. Not sure, though.

[nel766]

the sample they tested was found to come from a repair made around 1400, and refused to let them retest. it was a women in the states discovered it just from watching tv!..

[Harekiet]

Would have been nice to have the italian speak some more or just a longer clip. More weird stories from italy :)

[CaptainAgnostic]

Italian scepticism comes with garlic bread!

[MovieMan14]

@CaptainAgnostic wtf rofl!

[magx01]

Fucking brilliant.

[CommanderSquidlet]

Mummified eggs? Did I hear that right? If so, I think I've heard everything...

[jeremyshambles]

me too, i ll have what she's drinking.

[GoblinXXX]

Skepticism in Italy is similar to American skepticism, only with nicer shoes.

[loveyoutodeathbut]

Good one GoblinXXX =D

[BolnoyBratchny]

@GoblinXXX

and cars

[grokus]

I can't stop having a smile on my face when I listened to these two gentlemen.

[daveyork0]

I nominated James Randi recently for the Presidential Citizens Medal

.. we'll see what Obama does with that

[DasGuntLord01]

He won't even notice. :P

[fuckgodfuckyou]

Bloody heck, James you've aged quite a bit in the past few years.

[TempestStormwind]

Check his last couple of vids, especially on chemotherapy. While he has aged, the biggest appearance change in the last few years has been a bit of beard thinning since undergoing chemo. Prior to that, he looked just like the avatar to the right - like a razor-sharp-minded Santa, sans hat.

Massimo's actually debating a creationist on our local campus tonight. Apparently, he's debated this creationist's boss several times already, so he should wipe the floor with this guy.

[BigSwede7403]

@fuckgodfuckyou Cancer will wear on even the youngest and strongest.

[TheEyesOfNye]

He had cancer and just got done with chemotherapy..

[truvelocity]

I didn't know there were so many gullible people in the world.  I am perplexed.

[554466551]

It used to be said one was born every minute. But just look at the birth rate today compared to back then and you'll realise it's well past time we revised that figure upward.

[truvelocity]

Yes, I know the saying, but... Man oh man. Even when I was a kid with a developing brain, I simply would keep questioning. Maybe its a combination of lack of education due to the economy, the poor, and sometimes its genetics for those who do have money and food.

I've had conversations with intelligent people who are taken in by this kind of stuff. I don't get it. I just don't.

[nsewx]

@truvelocity are you saying the lack of quality in education pushed you to question everything? It makes sense to me but I never made that connection. I guess it takes the hard way for some people to see organized religion and political propaganda for what it is.

[ssjkrillen]

Good that people all over the world bust those people

[Dryndal]

Greetz from Poland :D

[SETIat1420MHz]

It was a great honor meeting both James Randi & Massimo Polidoro at the jref!!!

Massimo signed my book "Final Seance: The Strange Friendship Between Houdini and Conan Doyle". We talked about his latest international series, Legend Detectives, that was broadcast on Discovery Channel.

I had an Amazing time at the jref!!!

[BadPsychicsTV]

Great stuff James as lways, will give this video a plug on BadPsychics right now!!

[Paralyzer]

Massimo Polidoro, dove abiti in Florida, James non può fissare una camera in modo da non dover rimanere in una hotell ... è costoso in Florida

[hamiel85]

Italy - EU's Texas... sorry to say. :(

[Superphilipp]

I thought that was Poland.

Oh well, I guess it depends on how you look at it.

[Paralyzer]

Awesome! :) your'e the best james!! but I wonder if Massimo Polidoro sleeps at the JREF lol he's been there for quite some time now :) maybe he has his own room and all...instead of staying at some expensive hotell

[espn1337]

Great video Randi!

Awesome as always. :)

[alx90x]

im italian so its great to hear this! my family there is extremely religious and superstitious though... : (

[clray123]

blah this ideomotor stuff is old

tell us something we don't know

[Cyrathil]

"blah this ideomotor stuff is old

tell us something we don't know"

That you know it doesn't mean there aren't a lot out there who don't. The 'profession' of dowsing still has plenty of people practicing it, and the extent they're taking it are still dangerous.

[Tolrias]

idiot-motor reaction lol

[Christheatheist1]

@Tolrias : It's actually called the idiomotor response. It's a slight trembling movement of the hands which changes the results on dowsing rods, Ouija boards, etc.

[maulcs]

I think he was being sarcastic. Hello.

[Christheatheist1]

@maulcs I was merely giving the definition...hello

[Tolrias]

@Christheatheist1 : I know what ideomotor means but thanks anyway :)

@maulcs : yep, I was :P

[CrystalEye736]

VIVA Italia! :D lol I want to join that society it sounds like great fun

[BiodegradeableMan]

2010 and ppl stll believe in God? Theres no hope for humanity, very sad.

[scragar]

gods, there are people out there believing in multiple gods, people out there believing in a range of variations on a mono-god, personally I like to think of myself as falling into the parody god concept, if there is a god he created the world purely to laugh at the believers when he provides no evidence for himself, no-one does crazier shit that people who hear voices, are ordered to kill pretty much everyone, and have instant forgiveness on hand for all crimes.

[digitised]

I have the supernatural ability to make ice melt.

I do it by taking it out of the freezer and placing it on a plate.

Then i just concentrate on it, slowly melting it with my mind.

I plan to use this power to hold the world ransom!

[digitised]

People can judge who they like.

There is no point quoting scripture, pretty much no christian adheres to a literal interpretation of it anyway, so why are you expecting someone like me to do what a preacher like yourself does not?

[newcoyote]

@TruthfulChristian Why not? I know what Christianity is/claims/believes. I weigh that info based on what is in the realm of reality and judge it to be absurd. Not only should Christians be judged for what they believe. They should be ridiculed. To bad if you don't like it. That is how it is. The name TruthfulChistian alone is utterly absurd.

[XxXxXHarukoXxXxX]

Theres a difference between being a firm atheist and a cunt, im the firm atheist, your the cunt. if someone believes thats fine, as long as they arent forcing it down someones throat or harassing others with it.

[newcoyote]

@XxXxXHarukoXxXxX No it's not fine. That guy thinks his ridiculous beliefs are immune from scrutiny. Wrong! Maybe you think you're (not your) Mr. diplomacy but really it's just apathy. Speaking up against poor thinking brings attention to what is harmful. Beliefs dictate actions. False beliefs lower herd mentality. A herd I am part of. I don't want to live in a world where people still subscribe to ancient myths. Neither should you.

[EvodiusTheophile]

Why?

[asumazilla]

You got it the wrong way around, if it is in the bible that means you have no right to judge.

[scragar]

Hey, it's the liar and hypocrite again, how've you been?

[asumazilla]

please don't melt me. :(

[marsCubed]

Ciao Massimo and thank you James.

Some mystics can make strange smells appear after eating onions and eggs.

it seems to come from nowhere and sometimes accompanied by a knocking sound on their chairs. It is as though a foul presence enters to room and fills it up completely until everyone has to run away.

It just goes to show the true power of the mystic to affect people around them. ;)

anyways 5 stars.

[pitbull103]

Glad to see that Mr. Polidoro is in Italy and holding down the fort. If there is an actual phenomena out there, we want to find it -- no matter where it is. But more to the point -- these claims need to be investigated and debunked.

[Leonis1989]

James Randi looks like depictions of God...

...coincidence?

[ColAbernathy]

"James Randi looks like depictions of God...

...coincidence?"

Yes

Well...probably. ;)

[ChurchOfKali66619]

Actually, my church regards him as a living incarnation of Lucifer; The Amazing Randifer, a living Satanic Saint.

[SPACKlick]

Randi looks wise, so not coincidence. God is depicted as wise, so that his followers don't feel like fools.

[andreiduffy]

i am so glad you reached 20,000 subs... i am subscribed to you since you had like 1.300

[Inmylifealive]

want a cookie?

[dannypantsgm]

I am Massimo! I'm too sexxxxxy!!!

[andreiduffy]

Awesome!

[RustyCyler]

mummify eggs !! awesome. Just the other day I was wondering to my self.... how the hell am I going to mummify my eggs.

[bobster451]

Thanks for fixing this video!

Much better.

[Prior23]

Thank you for the fix!

[Katalyzt]

★★★★★

[jpsousa4]

thanks, JRF! ^^

[squirrelflight]

Much better!  :-)