Challenge Not Ending: Any official source for this?

[Wowbagger]

I remember when Phil Plait announced, at TAM7, that the $1 Million Challenge will likely not be ending at the expiration date originally set.

Is there any official Internet source I can link to, declaring that?

[arthwollipot]

Randi stated it at the Connie Sonne press conference, and video has been posted by Skeptic Zone (http://www.skepticzone.tv/).

[rjh01]

Actually cannot find anything that says it is even ending. I am sure it would be in SWIFT somewhere, that is all.

[Wowbagger]

Actually cannot find anything that says it is even ending. Yeah, the main Randi site seems short on that, as well.

They might have taken out all the references to the expiration date, but since they don't know what new form the challenge will take, after it, they have not yet put up any notice about it continuing, either.

[SkepticScott]

Here you go
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/640-million-dollar-challenge-update-its-not-ending.html

[rjh01]

Here you go
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/640-million-dollar-challenge-update-its-not-ending.html

Great thanks for that link. Now we know that it is not ending. We will be getting MDC mark 3.

[Klaymore]

I'm pleased to hear it. And I think it's great that JREF is reconsidering how the challenge is to be implemented. The challenge needs to be used to put pressure on--and objectively demonstrate the cowardice of--well known celebrity psychic frauds like Sylvia Browne, Uri Geller, John Edward, et al.

It's tough to get those guys to come forward and be tested (in fact, they never will). But at least throwing the challenge in their faces would show potential victims that these guys are fakes.

[quarky]

Now that there are nearly 1000 billionaires, why would anyone risk public humiliation for a mere million?

If I had special powers, and needed money, it would require at least 10 billion buckos to motivate me.

Christ,

a million bucks only gets you a crappy house in LA or Boston.

a million bucks is an insult to anyone that is actually on to something.
a million bucks is an insult to Brittany Spears and Jacko, for just doing some lame-ass tour.

What if I thought I could move my penis with my mind, for instance?
Without touching it?

I laugh at the pathetic monetary reward for demonstrating supernatural abilities.
For 10 bil, we might see some ****.

[learner]

Now that there are nearly 1000 billionaires, why would anyone risk public humiliation for a mere million?

If I had special powers, and needed money, it would require at least 10 billion buckos to motivate me.

Christ,

a million bucks only gets you a crappy house in LA or Boston.

a million bucks is an insult to anyone that is actually on to something.
a million bucks is an insult to Brittany Spears and Jacko, for just doing some lame-ass tour.

What if I thought I could move my penis with my mind, for instance?
Without touching it?

I laugh at the pathetic monetary reward for demonstrating supernatural abilities.
For 10 bil, we might see some ****.

Cant move your penis with your mind?
If that's a talent its going on my C.V. :)

[Dunstan]

I was disappointed to hear that the challenge was ending, so I guess I'm glad to hear that now it isn't. But I'm still not terribly impressed with the management of the JREF.

First they announce a "new and improved" challenge, whereby the JREF is going to aggressively go after the high profile woos.

Nothing seems to come of that.

Then they announce the challenge is ending. They promise some new and exciting uses for the Challenge funds that will be freed up, but we'll have to wait to find out what they are.

More time passes. No new plans announced. We're told to be patient, that all will be revealed in time.

Now the challenge is back. No word on what those other plans were that will now fall by the wayside, but we're assured will be another "new and improved" Challenge. But we'll have to wait until March 2010 to find out.

Sorry, but it just seems to me that the JREF is spinning its wheels with respect to the Challenge. The transition from Randi to Phil Plait just isn't a good excuse any more in my opinion.

[Wowbagger]

Now that there are nearly 1000 billionaires, why would anyone risk public humiliation for a mere million? Because you get more than just the million:

You get the serious attention of scientists all over the world; the chance to acquire a Nobel prize and make millions more through that, if your powers are persistent and reliable enough; and you get to watch James Randi eat some boiled crow.

[Wowbagger]

Oh, and: It looks like this thread was started a day too early. How about that.

[William Smith]

Oh, and: It looks like this thread was started a day too early. How about that.

You gotta take the good with the bad. And we should inform Kimpatsu.

ETA: I just did.

[jay.tarnoff]

I think Randi mentioned that it would not be ending in his speech at Center for Inquiry's World Congress 2009 in April.

[Kimpatsu]

You gotta take the good with the bad. And we should inform Kimpatsu.

ETA: I just did.
Thank you.
Now I can continue to browbeat woo-woos in Asia and elsewhere.