James Randi Lecture @ Caltech -a word on PHDs

[wcualumni]

15 people have PhD.'s

[huntmatuk]

James Randi is pure genius.

[rhettboy]

It's funny coz it's true.

[thekaji]

If it was dangerous to believe something that isn't real, then all of our children would be dead, and only the most dry and uninspired human shells would be left to walk the Earth. That being said, he is absolutly right, people just believe something is true without any evidence because they heard it somewhere. Including scientists who don't have alot of, or any, evidence. Someday we'll live in a world where we don't base fact off of what some guy in the 1800's said.

[TheBetterGame]

@thekaji no you are right, we'l base it off something people wrote 2000 years ago.

[thekaji]

@TheBetterGame  lol, nice

[TheFlanker35]

Regarding "the gloves", I think that would originate from having to hand out sheep skins in the old days.

[tombert256]

I love this video and I am in the process of getting a PhD.

[SageoftheWest]

I thinks that's pretty good. His theory does seem to fit to those who have PhDs today, lol.

[tiailds]

There needs to be more of these type of videos on Youtube.

[realisoph]

You wouldn't know how much I agree.

[bugninja80]

This is fantastic. One thing struck me as I watched the beginning. J.Randi said that "we should not assume things must be supernatural, paranormal, etc. if we do not have an explination for it". Isn't that what supernatural is? Once you have the explanation it becomes science the whole point of supernatural is that you can't explain it. So just because something has an explanation does that make it any less incredible than if you couldn't explain it?

[bugninja80]

The thing is when you put an explanation on something and label it as science people get upset because you have ruined the mysticism. But have you really because no matter how well you can prove how something happens you can never really prove why it happens. That's why I never understood why there was such issues between science and religion and science and the supernatural. Just by explaining how something works doesn't really take anything away from it.

[happyhappy85]

No, supernatural means that something is not natural, it is beyond natural explaination.

[ragglefragglecalp]

because those words (supernatural etc) give it a name, and a reason for it to be taken seriously, its much better to call it an unknown, many are too quick to classify something without looking further into it.

[jessiessica]

There is a difference between an event having no explanation and us having no explanation for an event. Just because we don't have an explanation, it doesn't mean there isn't one.

[Leetbix1]

Randi's brain never fails to excite me, he's so funny and at the same time knows so much!

[AbyssalLyrist]

"Please don't laugh, this is science." Haha.

[AnInvitationToTheTru]

Professor Randi, can you please check the truth of Quranic verse on the leg of the Russian baby...We would apreciate hearing your opinion and research about it....Thank you

Youssef, from Morocco

Best regards

[O2BSoLucky]

I've only seen a glimpse of an article about this on-line. With no more information then that I think it is the parents or other close family member.

Its the same story as the 'balloon boy'.

[AnInvitationToTheTru]

Yeah, but it's just a speculation, it needs a scientific research...

Hope Prof Randi take it as a serious issu and give us his ipinion...

[nergvol]

Reminds me of Commander Nodrog, wise, bearded, performs magic tricks, entertains well and has traveled a long and winding road with some potholes.  The Debunking Fun King

[Paxmax]

bwahahaha!!!

[ntipouan]

Amazing ! ! !

[davcar23]

Thanks for the post, I really like to watch these short segments.

[dreamsweavers]

james randi you are a demon !

[HabitsofLife]

Randy is like a male version of Dana Scully!

[Macrochenia]

The sad thing is, like Carl Sagan's The Demon Haunted World, this speech is old but still all to relevant to today's world.

[pitbull103]

One of our great humans. There will be an article in Skeptic Magazine soon about Randi's challenge and how they are going to continue it indefinitely instead of terminating it in 2010.

[sfb008008]

Interesting example, I think, of a secular manifestation of the religious paradigm of the sacred and the profane

[MattandSteveSC]

this was an excellent speech. very funny, while being frightfully true and observant. awesome.

[ahyane]

"Please don't laugh, this is science."

HA! I'd love to have that on a t-shirt.

[mariamakenzie287]

now thats some freakin good shit right there. you should see the perky nips i got goin on

[8DX]

5 star!

This is the real Randi PHD opinion...I think Randi's main point though (not fully expressed here), is that a PHD in one subject doesn't automatically give one the right to submit scientific pronouncements on another subject or indeed one's own subject.

A PHD should mean that the person knows the basics (and "intrinsicals") of what there is to know (at the time) on his own subject.

[armelix73]

So humorously, intelligently and sharply put!

James Randi is the man!

[ErichoTTA]

I'm looking into psychology as I'm taking nearly every class in it.

[alien8ted]

Christians follow a bible that commands them suffer not a witch to live Google 'what's the harm? (kenyan edition)' to see a video of Christians in Africa BURNING PEOPLE ALIVE today. Atheists dont follow a book that commands them to kill others, and condemn dictators like Hitler and Stalin for their use of violence to achieve their political ends, just as we condemn Christians for killing for religious reasons. Christians don't condemn these burnings as that would be against their religion.

[boss1001]

I love you so much.

[Devourer09]

I love you too man.

[RyuDarragh]

You can get many kinds of degrees. AS, BS, MS, and PhD. These stand for something. Alotta Shit. Bull Shit. More Shit and Piled Higher and Deeper.

[MrEmpirical]

LOL then you mustn't have a degree

[RyuDarragh]

Doesn't mean I didn't have a decent GPA or take the courses and get credit. I was one of those campaigning for new courses and degrees when people thought the Personal Computer would never catch on. Just never bothered to go back and finish any courses, even though I'm chock full of shit :P

[RyuDarragh]

Oh, and it was a multiple PhD who came up with that saying :D

[jebus6kryst]

So true and so funny.

[TrollN3m3s1s]

Thanks to the gods for JR!!!!

[andytom]

"Please don't laugh, this is science." XD

[rwese]

Randi could have easily become a politican, all his speeches are simply incredible.

[metalshoes]

He's far too honest, and it would be a waste of talent.

[judgemartiniz]

What about a 17 year old speech indicated to you what James Randi is doing -now-?

Did you hear him say he's being "exceedingly facetious"?

I think James Randi has demonstrated with various projects what the dangers of being too academic are. That's what he's talking about in this speeech

[metalshoes]

You do know how old this speech is right?

[CafecitoConLeche]

kicking at everything now? Check the description, this conference is from 1992 ...

He is just telling a joke, get a sense of humor ...

[JamesRandiFoundation]

Randi was saying that as a joke. Did you listen to the rest of the speech or did you turn it off right when he said that?

[Sutskoen]

Randi rocks, damn, if he's right or not, he's awesome at joking about reality

[PeopleOfAr]

more please :D

[jursamaj]

For all those arguing theory vs. hypothesis:

He *said* he wasn't an academic. He's using lay terminology! :)

[UserNameForYeeTube]

True, but I think it would be better to try and use 'hypothesis' over layman's "theory" just to counter the effect of eg. Creationists' claim that theory of evolution is just a "theory". :p

[Stormforger]

MOOORE! D:

[OD533]

I demand the entire lecture!!! roar

[CannabisHeals]

Please upload more from this lecture! :o)

[drunkasssteve]

Uh oh, Randi misused "theory." Skeptics attack!!!!

[AshillaBeige]

@ drunkasssteve

I noticed that too, but this was 1992 and scientists/ smart types (y'know, the ones going to hell =P) could use "theory" colloquially without having some creationist go "A HAH!!!"

[drunkasssteve]

'Twas a joke. Based off the fairly recent attacks and warnings from the skeptic community to ensure the word is used correctly (and for good reason).

[Ekove]

oh seriously...stop the teasing and upload the two hours thing already.

[brksailor]

One exception to PHDs who don't utter the words "I don't know" is Richard Dawkins. I have heard him say those words. So, maybe the chemical wears off after a while. :)

[myrmecophilous]

I don't know about all that. All the profs at my school have no trouble telling each other they disagree with something they said, even in front of large crowds. Maybe it's different in other fields.

[Falling100]

It's a shame Randi uses the phrase "only a theory."

[OD533]

Shoudda used hypothesis =D

[Deathinmusic]

Randi would be awesome just by being the tireless defender of rational thinking that he is, but his comedic talent makes him even more awesome. :)

[ganondufus]

I have a Phd in slacking off. So far, its paying off!

[deicidalistic]

No doubt in my mind when he was saying Dr. Brontosauras he was actually refering to "Dr. Dino" Mr. Kent Hovind himself. Long live Randi! As for Mr. Hovind....he can rot in prison for a few more years.

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars.

[mathmexican4234]

I heart randi lol

[DavidRandallCurtis]

Long live Randi! 5*

[NerdsUnited47]

I wish I got a decent enough degree to get a GENUINE Phd, I would be researching away yet some people get these Phds piss easy with little to no critical thinking at all :|

Of to the diploma mill for my Phd in truthology then :)

[dave597]

where can i watch the whole lecture?

[Hybrid5784]

"Please don't laugh, this is science."

Excellent moment!

[CousinoMacul]

I have a theory about Prof. Brontosaurus. It is my theory and the theory is mine: the theory about Prof. Brontosaurus which is mine that is.

[Mjhavok]

Is he a relation of Prof. Diplodocus?

[CousinoMacul]

You may well ask me that about my theory which is mine and belongs to me. It is mine and I am going to what it is, this theory which is mine and belongs soley to me.

[truvelocity]

Funny, but of course there are exceptions, like Hawking who stated, "I was wrong" and then he went back to the drawing board and corrected his theory.

[Hybrid5784]

That would be the honest, scientific way of doing it. Makes me sad that some people just love their pet theories so much they won't look reality in the eye.

[1567Fud]

Smart really is sexy. Rawwr Randi!

[Maladath]

MOAR!

[anon8109]

A PhD is no guarantee against foolishness.

[truvelocity]

True. Its the person earning their position combined with their PhD or the person earning their position and utilizing PhD's to review their conclusions.

[Bobbiethejean]

He's actually quite funny! :D <3

[Isanion]

wooot, a larger slice of the Randi-cake.... but I R AM STILL HUNGRY!!

[TheOtherSide100]

If you take all of the Creationists in the world and lay them head-to-toe on their backs around the planet, then more than two-thirds of them would drown.

[Isanion]

that depends on which way around the planet the chain went.

[clray123]

It certainly depends which way around you lay them, doesn't it?

[Yamcha67]

yes would like also to watch the 2hrs one..

[seanbrockest]

Just post the whole 2 hour lecture!

[JamesRandiFoundation]

The lecture is being divided into sections so that if a person wants to forward a certain part of it to someone else they don't have to send them the entire 2 hours worth of slices but an individual perfect slice.

[seanbrockest]

I respecfuly thank you for that, but i'm the kind of guy who would watch james randi talk for 2 hours the same way most people would watch the latest transformers or harry potter movie. Is there somewhere i can find the entire lecture for download?

[Deathinmusic]

I second that!

[JamesRandiFoundation]

No sir, the entire lecture can only be found on my video editing system or the DVD library here at the Foundation. I will continue to post excerpts of this and other Randi lectures as the months go by.

[ArndTWS]

I am already looking forward to it.

[AtheismandSkepticism]

@JamesRandiFoundation

Does the foundation own the rights to the lecture?

Is there any way we can buy the whole lecture from you guys?

[tekobari]

Brilliant speech. I envy your intelligence, experience, use of language, perception, and I could go on. Thank you for the vlogs. I look for them and watch the old ones several times each.

[sireduardo420]

@JamesRandiFoundation That is all well and good for narrow minds looking for sound bites, but you should make the entire lecture available as well so that those of us who have an attention span longer than that of a humming bird can consume and digest Randi's presentation in total, rather than in an out-of -order, bit-at-a-time fashion.

[zackhanscom]

@sireduardo420 because clicking a few extra buttons, and finding the videos yourself is a bit too difficult for such non-narrow and rather obtuse minds such as yourself.

[ihatejewscaustheysuc]

@zackhanscom Goodjob America!As soon as you’ll have torn Obama down the world can look forward towards a new decade of neocon imperialism,ecological madness,suppressive worldmarkets and the outbreak of WW3Its so sad for the country that shapedtheworld as we know itI love you nonetheless You lik Britin, with so much power and influence missed the chance in your brief period to make the world safer and beter,son to be under the control of China&India,hope they make a better job,I fear not

[ihatejewscaustheysuc]

@seanbrockest Goodjob America!As soon as you’ll have torn Obama down the world can look forward towards a new decade of neocon imperialism,ecological madness,suppressive worldmarkets and the outbreak of WW3Its so sad for the country that shapedtheworld as we know itI love you nonetheless You lik Britin, with so much power and influence missed the chance in your brief period to make the world safer and beter,son to be under the control of China&India,hope they make a better job,I fear not

[Ievolovel]

OH LAWDY