Anyone know of this Randi test?

[Garvarn]

I'm in a dispute with a "believer" who keeps refering to a test James Randi is supposed to have done with a little girl:

"A little girl can see things even when fully blindfolded, and wanted to try the Randi Challenge. Randi agreed. But when he saw that the girl was the real thing, he decided to cause her to "fail." Actually, she passed the challenge, but Randi decided to rig it so it would look like she failed. What Randi did is almost too cruel to mention. He put so much tape on her head that she nearly smothered, and he shouted at her and required her to speak in an unfamiliar language. By the time it was over, the girl was crying and unable to perform. There can be only one reason for Randi's behavior. He didn't want to keep his side of the deal, where the girl would win the money with her natural abilities."

Anyone got facts regarding this test? I only have Flim Flam so far and I'll check that tonight. Additional aid is appreciated!

Thanks!
/C

[NoZed Avenger]

Originally posted by Chateaubriand
I'm in a dispute with a "believer" who keeps refering to a test James Randi is supposed to have done with a little girl:

Anyone got facts regarding this test? I only have Flim Flam so far and I'll check that tonight. Additional aid is appreciated!

Thanks!
/C


There is a Time magazine article on this test -- from around the first of the year (2002?) (I am unsure of the time frame).

There have also been a few threads on the subject here. Let me see if I can dredge one up from the depths - but I am sure a couple people here who were actually involved in the dicussion can assist you.

N/A

Edited to remove long quote that served no purpose

[zakur]

http://www.randi.org/jr/021502.html
http://www.randi.org/jr/022202.html

http://www.time.com/time/columnist/jaroff/article/0,9565,199773,00.html

[NoZed Avenger]

There you go. Beat me to it.

Nice speed, Zakur.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Chat, the girl has asked to be retested, so we get to have another round of fun.

Actually, I think it's pathetic.

~~ Paul

[jj]

Kewl...

Where did that quote come form, could you point us in that direction?

[Garvarn]

Thanks, zakur! Great reading! I knew Randi could never be cruel - my kids thinks he looks like Santa Claus!

Again, thanks!
/C

[kookbreaker]

This account you mention sure sounds a lot like Luci's perversion of the actual events.

I too would like to see where this was being said.

[Unas]

Originally posted by Chateaubriand
I'm in a dispute with a "believer" who keeps refering to a test James Randi is supposed to have done with a little girl:

"A little girl can see things even when fully blindfolded, and wanted to try the Randi Challenge. Randi agreed. But when he saw that the girl was the real thing, he decided to cause her to "fail." Actually, she passed the challenge, but Randi decided to rig it so it would look like she failed. What Randi did is almost too cruel to mention. He put so much tape on her head that she nearly smothered, and he shouted at her and required her to speak in an unfamiliar language. By the time it was over, the girl was crying and unable to perform. There can be only one reason for Randi's behavior. He didn't want to keep his side of the deal, where the girl would win the money with her natural abilities."

Anyone got facts regarding this test? I only have Flim Flam so far and I'll check that tonight. Additional aid is appreciated!

Thanks!
/C
Whoever is making that claim should be challenged to back up their version of events with documentary evidence. Is this claim being made in an online forum? If so, where?

[Unas]

This appears to be the source:

http://psymag.tripod.com/issue_2/2_shame.htm

What is this 'Psychic Magazine' that is mentioned?

[DangerousBeliefs]

Originally posted by Unas
This appears to be the source:

http://psymag.tripod.com/issue_2/2_shame.htm

What is this 'Psychic Magazine' that is mentioned?

It's a "Ghost Site".... October 27, 2001

I love this:

Every article in Psychic Magazine has been certified as true and correct.

How's it certified? We sent it by certified letter, of course!

WOO WOO

[NoZed Avenger]

If you look at the "flaws" in the Randi challenge, you'll quickly think that this must be a parody site.

Then, if you see who is taking credit: flagship of the paranormal (search his name from usenet in sci.skeptic or alt.astrology for a couple years back -- hooo boy), you will then think it is not a parody, but that the author had someone spoof him on reasons that the challenge is a fake: The psychic must actually perform the feats he says he can perform. Bringing letters from friends will have influence on Randi at all. Randi and the psychic must agree to what the test involves.

Flaggy seems to have bought it: hook, line, and rowboat.

Visit his site at youjr own risk: http://www.flagship1.com/personal/randi.html

Flaggy says that it is "we" at psychic magazine. I don't know if he really is involved with it, or simply added the "we" because he likes to latch onto other people professing powers and/or beliefs and adopt them wholeheartedly as his own (Bruce Kettler; Pete Stapleton; the infamous Ed Wollman).

If you are truly dealing with Flagship, then don't think that anything like discussion or logic is going to make any points.

But

[Ladewig]

As super powers go the girl's claim is quite near the bottom of the usefulness scale. "When blindfolded, I cannot see things near the top of my field of vision, I cannot see things directly in front of me, but I can see things held near the bottom of my field of vision. Provided they are well lit. And it doesn't work if you put a piece of paper between me and the object to be viewed. If you had to sum up my powers succinctly, it would be, 'I can see short distances through my nose.' "

:rolleyes:

[The Don]

Originally posted by Ladewig
'I can see short distances through my nose.' "


Talk about lack of ambition....

Perhaps this could be the start of a new comic strip with a set of superheroes:

Sinus Girl - I can see short distances through my nose
Dr Spoonbend - Scourge of cutlery drawers everywhere
JE Boy - I speak to dead people - who mumble indistinctly
The Dowse - I carry small metal rods and can find bodies of water after I fall in them


Any similarily to any individuals with actual psychic powers is purely accidental

[Dragon]

Originally posted by The Don


Talk about lack of ambition....

Perhaps this could be the start of a new comic strip with a set of superheroes:

Sinus Girl - I can see short distances through my nose
Dr Spoonbend - Scourge of cutlery drawers everywhere
JE Boy - I speak to dead people - who mumble indistinctly
The Dowse - I carry small metal rods and can find bodies of water after I fall in them


Any similarily to any individuals with actual psychic powers is purely accidental
:D :D Thanks for starting my day with a good belly-laugh!

[JimTheBrit]

Randi's comments (http://www.randi.org/jr/101901.html) on Psychic Magazine (2nd item down). Follow up (http://www.randi.org/jr/102601.html) (2nd item down).

[JimTheBrit]

Originally posted by The Don


Talk about lack of ambition....

Perhaps this could be the start of a new comic strip with a set of superheroes:

Sinus Girl - I can see short distances through my nose
Dr Spoonbend - Scourge of cutlery drawers everywhere
JE Boy - I speak to dead people - who mumble indistinctly
The Dowse - I carry small metal rods and can find bodies of water after I fall in them


Any similarily to any individuals with actual psychic powers is purely accidental

Not forgetting ...

CAPTAIN C.A.M.!*

Costume: Emperor's Nuke-Clothes
Powers:
-Lightning reflexes allows the 'credit where none's due' snatch and the dodging of negative associations with ease.
-Stuns all with the 'wool over eyes' pull.
-Smites enemies with infamous 'financial clout' (especially effective against government regulators).
-Weakens without his 'cloak of credibility'. In desperate situations, he may confuse foes with his 'cloak of vagueness'
-Power wriggle allows him to squirm from the gaze of his evil nemesis, the dastardly Dr Dubble-Blynd

*Don't make me have to come round and explain it to you

[Skeptical Greg]

Originally posted by Ladewig
As super powers go the girl's claim is quite near the bottom of the usefulness scale. "When blindfolded, I cannot see things near the top of my field of vision, I cannot see things directly in front of me, but I can see things held near the bottom of my field of vision. Provided they are well lit. And it doesn't work if you put a piece of paper between me and the object to be viewed. If you had to sum up my powers succinctly, it would be, 'I can see short distances through my nose.' "

:rolleyes:

I never did understand why she needed a blidnfold to do this..

Why couldn't she just read in a darkened room?

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Dio, I believe she said that the light from the page was entering her third eye through her forehead, or some such wankery.

~~ Paul

[Skeptical Greg]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
Dio, I believe she said that the light from the page was entering her third eye through her forehead, or some such wankery.

~~ Paul

Thanks..

I just close my two regular eyes when I read with my third eye..

Of course, I just expect everyone to take my word for it, that I wouldn't peek...:D

[El Greco]

I didn't have the opportunity to read the Russian test before, and what impressed me was not the spoiled little girl, but the supreme, almost divine idiocy exhibited by Mr. Palant. If Randi says that he was duped it probably is true, but this is even more scary than if he were an accomplice. Such people live around us, are politicians, vote, make decisions that affect each and everyone of us... Chilly :eek:

[Aussie Thinker]

The Don,

Talk about lack of ambition....

Perhaps this could be the start of a new comic strip with a set of superheroes:

Sinus Girl - I can see short distances through my nose
Dr Spoonbend - Scourge of cutlery drawers everywhere
JE Boy - I speak to dead people - who mumble indistinctly
The Dowse - I carry small metal rods and can find bodies of water after I fall in them


Any similarily to any individuals with actual psychic powers is purely accidental

Whahahaha.. that is freakin hilarious !

It’s funny isn’t it.. we sort of forget how completely USELESS these “powers” are.

LOL.. I am still laughing.. thanks Don.. made my day !

[Ladewig]

Dio, I believe she said that the light from the page was entering her third eye through her forehead, or some such wankery.

If that were the case then the testers wasted a lot of time trying to get the blindfold just right. They could have asked the claimant to wear a visor with something glued onto the top and then ask her what the object is.

[Aussie Thinker]

The Don,

Talk about lack of ambition....

Perhaps this could be the start of a new comic strip with a set of superheroes:

Sinus Girl - I can see short distances through my nose
Dr Spoonbend - Scourge of cutlery drawers everywhere
JE Boy - I speak to dead people - who mumble indistinctly
The Dowse - I carry small metal rods and can find bodies of water after I fall in them


Any similarily to any individuals with actual psychic powers is purely accidental

Whahahaha.. that is freakin hilarious !

It’s funny isn’t it.. we sort of forget how completely USELESS these “powers” are.

LOL.. I am still laughing.. thanks Don.. made my day !

[MoeFaux]

Well, it sure is something else. That's for sure.

We've got the goggles she used in the back. Since I shouldn't say, just guess what I think about it all.

[thaiboxerken]

That sure sounds like a "Luci" account of the test, maybe even a Steve Grenard anecdote. There are many believers out there that want to destroy the credibility of anyone that challenges their beliefs. I guess some people just can't handle the truth.