Being skeptical of
something that is foreign to conventional science has
NEVER, in and of itself, been enough to stifle a REAL worthwhile idea or newly discovered facet of rational science. If that were the case, we'd still be beating two rocks together and hoping we get a spark so we could make a fire.
On the other hand, being skeptical of something that is obviously a fraud and a scam, can often make it difficult to push that scam onto the general public. Further, the scam artist will eventually be called out, from where ever they are hiding, and asked to either put up or shutup.
I recently found one such challenge, while searching through some old Internet archives. Here is a real challenge issued by James Randi, to a real scam artist. I wonder what happened here... was the test ever conducted. What were the results?
Winders, you run on and on, bitching about all sorts of wrongs done to you
by me and my "voodoo" powers. Well, let's get on with it. Forget the
juvenile crap and let's test the "Omnicrom" or whatever. I have a
million-dollar prize available to you as soon as the thing actually works.
Cross my heart and hope to die. Scout's honor. Honest. JUST DO IT!
Don't carry on with bleating and weeping, but come forth directly and DO
IT! Call ANYONE as witnesses, ANY object or substance to detect, wherever
you wish. Get a platoon of lawyers to stand by. And a few cops, if you
want. I SAY THAT THE THING YOU'RE SELLING IS A TOTAL FRAUD. PROVE ME
WRONG BY DOING A SIMPLE, DIRECT, UNDERSTANDABLE, TEST, AND COLLECT ONE
MILLION DOLLARS! Is that clear? Do you understand? I'm making the
challenge, now you'll run for cover by quoting, offering anecdotal
accounts, claiming that the money isn't there, that I'm a witch, you're
afraid of me, you're sick, that I won't pay up if you win, YOU'LL DO
ANYTHING to avoid a simple test! I know you guys, always dodging and
weaving, so let's see your very best evasion, now. Start making excuses
and we'll all sit back and laugh at the faker on the run.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP! A MILLION DOLLARS SAYS YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SHOW THAT
THIS SILLY TOY WORKS. NOW START EVADING....
James Randi
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---Chris
"WHAT CAN'T BE DONE, CAN BE LIED ABOUT"
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