0.6.2: How do we know Randi is honest? (sci.skeptic)
Description
This article is from the Scientific Skepticism FAQ, by Paul Johnson Paul@treetop.demon.co.uk with numerous contributions by others.
0.6.2: How do we know Randi is honest? (sci.skeptic)
Randi has offered a large prize to anyone who can demonstrate
paranormal powers under controlled conditions. He also has a lot of
professional prestige tied up in his self-appointed role of psychic
debunker. This leads to allegations that if he ever did find a
genuine psychic then he would lie rather than lose so much money and
prestige.
When Randi tests psychic claims, he is always very careful to agree
with the claimant before the test exactly what the conditions will be.
The test will proceed only if both he and the claimant agree that this
will be a fair test of the claim. The conditions usually involve
video tapes and independent witnesses specifically to rule out
cheating by either side.
On one occasion Randi did agree that the claimed ability existed.
Arthur G. Lintgen claimed an ability to identify LP records without
labels. Randi tested him on behalf of Time magazine, and found that
Lintgen could in fact do this by reading the patterns of loud and
quiet in the groove. Lintgen did not get Randi's reward because he
had not demonstrated (or claimed) any paranormal ability.
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