Randi forces a tantrum!

[Azrael 5]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUHbO60mOY

This confrontation is classic.The host Don Lane has no come back so he just throws a tantrum whilst Randi sits bemused.;)

[I Ratant]

Walked off his own show!
That's commitment.. or is that "commitable"?

[makaya325]

Its amazing how relaxed and patient Randi is, even when a complete moron is trying to accuse him of lieing and calling people fakes. Well dan, doesnt common sense, which you lack, show that no one can possibly have psychic powers?

I get a kick out of it alot when Randi owns alot of these frauds

[Skeptic Guy]

He didn't even let him talk. What a doofus.

[makaya325]

No wonder why flim-flam is not taken so seriously

[Azrael 5]

Its hilarious the guy had no come back.In absence of any intelligent debate throw a tantrum :D

[makaya325]

If i were randi, I would have just walked off shaking my head

[gdnp]

And the amazing thing is, Psychic Samurai et al see this as Randi being owned by Don Lane. In there world he who gets the last word in wins, even if it is an unintelligible, substanceless rant.

[TX50]

I know who Randi is but who the hell is Don Lane?

[makaya325]

TX, the video shows enough of his behavior to judge him! Lol, lane is obviously one of those delusional cranks who also believes theres an imaginary bearded man in the clouds

[Azrael 5]

I know who Randi is but who the hell is Don Lane?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Lane

There is even a transcript of video!

[gdnp]

I know who Randi is but who the hell is Don Lane?

Wikipedia is your friend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Lane)

Don Lane (born 13 November 1933 as Morton Donald Isaacson) is an American-born Australian entertainer, talk show host and singer.

The video dates from 1980. Recent reports say he is suffering from dementia.

[Azrael 5]

And the amazing thing is, Psychic Samurai et al see this as Randi being owned by Don Lane. In there world he who gets the last word in wins, even if it is an unintelligible, substanceless rant.

Wonder wether maybe he should read this -from Wiki link.
The aftermath of the event led to a national and personal apology to Randi, which was televised through the Nine Network (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Network).

[Yeah_Right]

I saw this in 1980, the first thing that came to mind was how childish Don Lane was.

[makaya325]

Yeah Right, it was beyond childish. I would have physically removed lane off the show for mocking randi about things that randi couldnt possibily commit. It should have been settled in a civilized matter.

[rockinkt]

Pistols at dawn - with each gentleman appointing a second to arrange matters and ensure proper protocols are followed.
That is the only civilized way to obtain satisfaction.

[makaya325]

Um, whatever floats your boat

[athon]

I know who Randi is but who the hell is Don Lane?

An American who hosted a television show in Australia a couple of decades ago. It's a fairly memorable part of Australian television, often repeated on those crappy scrapbook programs they have from time to time. The fact he is a yank means Aussies have no problem sniggering at him over the incident.

Athon

[Legend]

When I saw this, I thought, "He's not Australian! He was born in America!". Then again some idiots in the audience were booing Randi and clapping Don Lame.

Alex.

[rjh01]

I cannot understand why the audience were clapping. Were they trying to say that Don Lane had a point?

[Legend]

That's what was going through my mind.

I believe that fans will follow their idol blindly. We look at comedic performances and once people want a mental connection with someone who is so funny, anything the comedian says will be agreed upon by their fans. Plus, Don had an amazing way to victimise the psychics and make Randi look intrusive, rude and out-of-place. They were just sucked in by the commotion of it all I'd guess. I think a majority of them today would look back and think themselves foolish for clapping.

Alex.

[gdnp]

I cannot understand why the audience were clapping. Were they trying to say that Don Lane had a point?

For the same reason Bill O'Reilly's fans clap when he shouts someone down.

[makaya325]

Its incredibly funny when psychics are exposed. They start getting mad and start yelling.

[Senex]

It's an interesting video to watch and by following the links on Youtube you can find other Randi videos. However, that's not the video I would use to show why I post on Randi's site. Randi wins this particular conflict because he is polite and civilized and waits for the person argueing with him to finish speaking in order give him time to make his own argument uninterupted (which never comes). You don't invite someone on your show to scream at him and storm off in a huff without listening to your guest. You don't treat guests like that. Don Lane shows himself to not only be on the wrong side of an important issue about human existance, but he proves himself much too unprofessional to be on a talk show. Randi has alway exended every courtecy to someone who wants to show the world they have an ability they really don't possess. Only someone who is out of their depth loses their temper when confronted opposition. This video is just one of many examples that show believers to be dead wrong and shout down the voice of reason -- and the voice of reason to be unwilling to match the ugliness of the believers in pychics/religion/ crystals -- pick your woo.

I prefer the videos where Randi has the time to deconstruct woo arguments.

[makaya325]

I loved randi's appearance on happy days!:)

[Azrael 5]

I'm cock a hoop he is coming to UK next month and Im gonna meet him!


I won't ask him to bend a key ;)

[Limbo]

From the wiki article:

Randi: I never have said that Uri Geller was a fake, I have never [indistinct]

Lane: You did so, you said he was a fake, you called him a two-bit mag...

So, has Randi ever called Uri a fake? Directly or indirectly?

Because if he had...and then lied about it to my face ("I never have said that Uri Geller was a fake" = lie?) I would be pissed too.

[Robin]

From the wiki article:

Randi: I never have said that Uri Geller was a fake, I have never [indistinct]

Lane: You did so, you said he was a fake, you called him a two-bit mag...

So, has Randi ever called Uri a fake? Directly or indirectly?

You mean 'had he', 2 years before his book on Geller came out?

[Autolite]

I'm amazed at Randi's patience and intestinal fortitude. I only wish that I could have a fraction of his composure when dealing with such blatant idiocy. This is one reason why I avoid serious discussion about religion or woo in general. I just can't deal with the frustration any more. It's like trying to convince people who are oblivious to the obvious...

[Skeptic]

The video dates from 1980. Recent reports say he is suffering from dementia.

How can they tell the difference?

[Senex]

So, has Randi ever called Uri a fake? Directly or indirectly?

Because if he had...and then lied about it to my face ("I never have said that Uri Geller was a fake" = lie?) I would be pissed too.

Are you saying Randi was never always honest about his feelings about Uri Geller? Do you have sympathetic anger? Say that if that's what you mean.

[fromdownunder]

From the wiki article:

Randi: I never have said that Uri Geller was a fake, I have never [indistinct]

Lane: You did so, you said he was a fake, you called him a two-bit mag...

So, has Randi ever called Uri a fake? Directly or indirectly?

Because if he had...and then lied about it to my face ("I never have said that Uri Geller was a fake" = lie?) I would be pissed too.

You mean had he called Geller a fake before 1980? Who knows for sure?

Norm

[Bob Klase]

The video dates from 1980. Recent reports say he is suffering from dementia.

How can they tell the difference?

He's much calmer now?

[desertgal]

That's what was going through my mind.

I believe that fans will follow their idol blindly. We look at comedic performances and once people want a mental connection with someone who is so funny, anything the comedian says will be agreed upon by their fans. Plus, Don had an amazing way to victimise the psychics and make Randi look intrusive, rude and out-of-place. They were just sucked in by the commotion of it all I'd guess. I think a majority of them today would look back and think themselves foolish for clapping.

Alex.

Well, that, and the applause sign lit up.

[Steve Knight]

Lane's view on the saintliness of Doris Stokes shows his gullibility and his behaviour shows he's an ass. However, Randi's claim to have never called Geller a 'fake' is an insult to the intelligence.

[desertgal]

However, Randi's claim to have never called Geller a 'fake' is an insult to the intelligence.

This clip dates back to 1980. It's my understanding that Randi did not publicly renounce Geller as a fake until 1989. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but, if my information is accurate, Randi spoke the truth in 1980.

[Jim Callahan]

This clip dates back to 1980. It's my understanding that Randi did not publicly renounce Geller as a fake until 1989. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but, if my information is accurate, Randi spoke the truth in 1980.


But about what?

Now that is the question.

And has he since 1980?


J im

H.O.A-X

[desertgal]

But about what?

Now that is the question.

And has he since 1980?


J im

H.O.A-X

What are you babbling about?

[Steve Knight]

Randi's beef with Geller started in late 1973. His first book, 'The Magic of Uri Geller' was published in 1975.

[Toke]

The video is a bit confusing, i assume that randi demonstrates (or tries to) that keys can be bend with fingers and not magic powers.

That puts the woo´s in a dificult position.
A rant is one answer, the alternative would be to agnollege that the magic is no more powerfull than stage magic.

[shuttlt]

As I understand it Randi hadn't been supposed to do any demonstrations on the show. He was just there to talk. The keys were there as a surprise so that the host would have be able to spot him *cheating* and go off on one.

As for Randi being a lier. Presumably his position was that there were slight of hand ways of doing everything Geller did, but that he didn't KNOW Geller was using them. It's a fine line to tread without being disingenuous since Randi presumably does and did believe Geller was a lier.

[Toke]

Yes, and it is a very entertaining line to tread.

"Look, I can do the same without magic, and it works like this, would you like to try, I have more keys":D

It is a wery powerfull technique, no wonder it caused a rant, the alternative would have been to admit to lying about magic powers.

[gdnp]

As for Randi being a lier. Presumably his position was that there were slight of hand ways of doing everything Geller did, but that he didn't KNOW Geller was using them. It's a fine line to tread without being disingenuous since Randi presumably does and did believe Geller was a lier.

I suppose that this is all a skeptic can do: either get the charlatan to agree to a test that he knows he will fail--not likely--or demonstrate that you can do everything that the charlatan can do despite lacking magical powers.

After all, once presented with a bent key, there is no test that can be performed on it that will prove whether it was bent by mundane or paranormal means.

[ponderingturtle]

You don't invite someone on your show to scream at him and storm off in a huff without listening to your guest.

THink about if he had modern talk hosts to draw from, he would know the behavior is to scream at them and cut their mike.

[ponderingturtle]

Lane's view on the saintliness of Doris Stokes shows his gullibility and his behaviour shows he's an ass. However, Randi's claim to have never called Geller a 'fake' is an insult to the intelligence.

In many video clips I have seen from Randi in the 80's he generaly does not state such unequivocal statements. Rather he shows how the effects that Geller is claiming/demonstrating can be done simply with stage magic.

Randi is has always seemed to speak publicialy in a very careful manner about calling people fakes and the like.

Now it seems certain that he had suggested that Geller might be less than honnest, and so infered that he was a fake. Of course now there is plenty of dirrect evidence of Geller faking his supposed powers.

[ponderingturtle]

After all, once presented with a bent key, there is no test that can be performed on it that will prove whether it was bent by mundane or paranormal means.

Not nessacarily true though Magic POWERZ could cause metal to change shape in ways that it would not through simple bending.

The most basic example I can think of is that any bent metal would be work hardened and showing fatigue. If you could bend metal with out that(assumeing things like not heating it up and so on) you could show that it was not bent with normal means.

[Belz...]

And the amazing thing is, Psychic Samurai et al see this as Randi being owned by Don Lane. In there world he who gets the last word in wins, even if it is an unintelligible, substanceless rant.

It's amazing how many people think that when they shout louder it means they're right.

I suppose it's a remnant from the good old days when you'd settle disputes with swords or guns at duels because God would never let a righteous man lose... :rolleyes:

[xblade]

. Well dan, doesnt common sense, which you lack, show that no one can possibly have psychic powers?


I have psychic powers, but they only work when bigfoot is around. I challenge any of you to prove otherwise.

I also have a sword that glows when orcs are near....:D

[Josh111485]

Randi demonstrates once again that he is the Zen Master of calm and of dealing with buffoons like Don Lane. I wish I could be that calm and collected.

[Miss_Kitt]

The statement I most recall Randi making about Uri Geller back in "the day" is approximately, "If Uri Geller is using psychic powers, he's doing it the hard way."

Which is not calling Geller a liar, but very succintly brings the issue of evidence and likelihood into view.

MK