James Randi Speaks at DragonCon 2008

[ClockLock]

I think I would equivocate Graham Watkins with roaches. Once you shine a light on a roach, they often scurry into the darkness to hide. You're the man, James Randi!

[ericco79]

Holy smoke I have NEVER seen Randi lay the law down like that. I was at Dragoncon that year, and I HATE I missed this!

[HentaiGuy42]

I like how Randi makes a point of saying that Watkins shouldn't discount him just because he's a magician, to which Watkins says he wasn't doing that...and then, in the end, he says "my experiment is very complicated, it can't be set up for a magician." Stay classy, Watkins.

[xzoop]

Wow, never heard of Watkins before. His platform, the Journal of Parapsychology, seems to be at the tabloid end of "science"(not exactly a "reputable" journal?). Maybe not surprising he waffled so quickly (resorted to personal accusations rather than a neutral test of his work)? A million bucks worth of doubt/denial is truly impressive...

[Unifex]

Is the video/audio of the actual panel available anywhere? A quick search isn't showing anything. :/

[justonefyx]

I James Randi was a pimp, then I would be his ho!

[AceSkepTik]

Another one bites the dust.

[WiggyTheCanuck]

James Randi is awesome.

[F1dgets]

yup, 100% pure awesome.

[inityminiwur]

What's with all these nitpicking on semantics? Debunking or Investigating. I really don't care. A fake is a fake. All these psychics who've taken money from the gullible should be in jail, in the same way companies making fake drugs should go to jail.

Let's have more James Randis in the world please...coz the world's full of these mumbo jumbo woo woo peddlers.

[surgeyX]

@inityminiwur

LOL I love randi's term "woo woo" -- it's the perfect term to describe these people.

[professorslimking]

They now know he was lying big time...

They Debunked the Debunker LOL

[hasari0antabolis]

James Randi is great.

[TariqAlSuave]

This is why the word "pwnage" exists.

[deRoyLight]

LOL, I like how he said he doesn't make assumption in regards to Randi being a magician... then at the end he bashes Randi for being a magician.

lol

[onetwopussies]

What makes people think the Scientists would come to a conclusion in agreement with the paranormal ?

At what number test would the Scientists say it's supernatural ?

Would n't the Scientists have to find out what the ''Mechanism'' is before stating it's supernatural ?

Let Randi be the Judge of a series of Two Tests Only in front of an Audience, and then say that the claim ios worthy or not not to recieve Prize Money.

[VimisiDigitalMedia]

Randi WAIVED the first test for this idiot. He would need to do the test ONCE, and ONLY ONCE to either DUPLICATE his results and WIN, or be unable to support his claim and FAIL ... JUST ONCE, for $1,000,000.00 US. ! He doesn't "approve" of Randi? I'm sure he wouldn't "approve" of many people who buy his CRAP LIES in his literature either, yet he agrees to do business with them. THIS MAN IS A FRAUD, and Randi PUBLICALLY called him out on it! - I doubt this guy gained any followers here! LOLOLOLOL

[Chirox82]

Testing an assertion through experimentation is "Not the way it's done in science"?

[eastsidetwin7193]

that pussy wont accept his Million dollar challenge. scared of being exposed

[eastsidetwin7193]

James Randi KILLED his ass.lol

[VimisiDigitalMedia]

So Watkins rather scam people for $20 and $40 one at a time, than take a TEST a $MILLION$ (that he's sure he'll win -cough-cough) based on some sort of "integrity"? WTF? LOLOLOL Watkins is a FAKE! Sue me!

[wotan46]

and all the guy had to do is prove his abilitys an win $1 million dollars , how hard that be ?

[onetwopussies]

Million Dollar Challenge FAQ 5.2 What happens between the preliminary test and the official test?

The final test may be longer, or require more conclusive results through more sets of the test to ensure that the preliminary test was not a fluke.

Randi has left himself a ''safety net'' by allowing an ''Indefinite amount of Tests'' that could continue for Fifty Years.

[Chirox82]

A buffer to make sure that a "Success" is not the direct result of probability is not setting the test up for infinite pushback.

Say that an experiment is set up where a dowser must select the correct box under which a bottle of water (or gold nugget, whatever the claim is), and the chance that choosing randomly would select it is 1/20. The dowser gets it on the first try - the experiment is repeated twice more in the preliminary stage to make sure that the dowser is real, or 1/8000 lucky.

[onetwopussies]

Are you Chirox82 one of the people who has the ''final say'' in the amount of tests and ''sets of the tests'' to be completed to satisfaction of Scientific Theory.

Or are you Chirox82 only guessing what the amount of tests would be according to your own view point?

[Chirox82]

I, Chirox82, am well versed enough in the realm of the Scientific Method to know that you need several tests in order to weed out statistical probability.

Common sense dictates that should someone go forth with the test, only to be strung along with a dozen successes with no end in sight, that person would have the media lapping at their feet. Not only that, but depending on the claim and the successes, scientists from around the country would flock to the claimant and thus international fame.

[VimisiDigitalMedia]

Randi's test only requires TWO TESTS normally. Get it right ONCE so the organization knows you may have the "gift". Then do it AGAIN (from the beginning) and WIN! It's pretty simple. I've seen it done. Name your claim, show some people who think you have the gift. Fill out the prize form so a test can be built for your claim. Sign the form and agree to the protocols, and COLLECT the MONEY when you SUCCEED! - He can't, so he doesn't even agree. HE'S A FRAUD!

[urbanflavorz]

The amount of tests would be deteremined BEFORE HAND. The person being tested and Randi would already come to terms of what the test is BEFORE the tests.

[onetwopussies]

@urbanflavorz

Yet what you are saying about the ''exact number'' of tests is not written in their rule sheet.

They reserve the option to keep on testing, which leaves the scientists an indefinite time frame.........

The protocol would have to be only two tests without further scrutiny....

[urbanflavorz]

Thats the General rules, but Before you test both the tester would have the specific rules and tests and how many times BEFORE the testing.

[onetwopussies]

@urbanflavorz There's the preliminary test and then the final test when successful completing the preliminary test.

JREF says that no one has passed the preliminary test.

If someone turned a ''book page '' over with telekinesis,then that would be the preliminary test complete, AND so there would only be the final test of turning over another ''book page''........... End of Testing......agreed?

[ScottyTheBullet]

They say you can't choose your family, screw that, I choose Randi to be my Grand Father... just putting it out there. He's my hero.

[Infidelerious]

That was so choice..... A greasy weasel versus a wiley old bastard, and we all know which is which!............

[TheWhiteRabbit1990]

Randi laying down the law.

[H3Serpent]

Watkins is a fucking low life scamming snake and he knows it.

If he had such abilities he wouldn't be so defensive and he would agree with James Randi.

I hope you die Mr. Watkins.

[onetwopussies]

You're very biased

[acr08807]

I almost hate to ask, but was this a panel of believers in dragons versus dragon skeptics?

[EvodiusTheophile]

Awesome

[djsmeg]

Smeg, I love people like Watkins. They're always happy to see their enemies torn down but when they get put on the spot, they immediately cry foul, panic and look for any possible escape they can think up.

[niall142]

more pwnage, James Randi style!

[delwarner1973]

Randi is the Don

[Thatonedude917]

James "the Don" Randi

I like it.

[winterstellar]

The other guy's problem is that he is a fake, like all "psychics", "telepathists", "healers" and such morons are.  : )

[JanisChambers]

All randy want's is a third party to do a test that both of they can agree on, what is the other guys problem?

[glassbrain]

The other guy knows his abilities are lacking.

[DramaMC]

@JanisChambers the problem is he'd be exposed

[Subfightr]

BAMN Randi FOR THE WIN!

[josesilva9910]

Randi is awesome!

[vuetube]

I thought Randi had his own money he put up for these challenges? So that was an untruth? If they do tests done through another agency everyone trusts, then why does it always sound like Randi gets to dictate and oversee the "tests"? You wouldn't trust a 'Cheat' to be the dealer at a gambling table, why would you trust a Magician at one of these tests?

[FredBear1966]

The money is real, it belongs to the foundation which carries Randi's name, and the entire point of using another agency is that you trust the results, and Randi does not influence the result

[PerfectAgent]

It used to be his money when it was $10,000. Now it's his organization's money as $1,000,000. C'mon, how much bank do you expect this guy to have?

[FeynmanDiagrams]

So sad to see someone be so sure that they're right but refuse to question the reasons why they believe. If so sure they are, then why avoid questioning why they believe they way they do?

[OriginalJaan]

James Randi is God. (c:

[ok123jump]

HAHAHA!

Randi +1 : Watkins -1

Watkins,

Being a practicing Physicist, I must say that YOU are WAY out of line. One of the fundamental tenants of science is that every experiment must be repeatable. Thus, YOU should be able to design an experiment that duplicates your results. If the controversy over Sonoluminescence has any impact on your testimony it's that "published data always need to be reviewed".

Your results are not above this. Replicate your results or it's not science - it's bullshit.

[whisperelmwood]

Watkins, you are a dunce. Randi, you are so cool, keep it up ^^

[alexmagicart]

Dear Randi & all the skeptics..., why we need always to prove ourselves, and why we need to explain always the rules of the truth for them? Why they don`t want except the rules, they are always finding the way out from those from Rationality?! They want take only the easy money without any honest and valuable work, that`s their strategy?! They are troublemakers only!As You said about Geller too, we need political assistance, stronger laws! Yes, we need to fight-You are never, never lone...! :)

[pehresma]

This is incoherent.

[datavortex]

I assume that the user is not a native English speaker.

[darkreign16]

Randi is awesome!

[dmosier]

Randi Rules.

Watkins lost that exchange.

Watkins said "Science does not work that way"

Actually, yes Mr Watkins, IT DOES!

[thepacers]

great audience.

ach Randi is so cool and funny. i dont see any sceptic who is so cool. hope Randi stays well for long time.

[samlowry1971]

Wow, who is that putz? I've no idea how Randi keeps his cool, when dealing with mushbrains like this guy.

[datavortex]

That is Graham Watkins.