doh! Randi fell for it too!

[HarryKeogh]

from this week's commentary...

As expected, the movie The Passion of The Christ is breaking box-office records. Religion pays off. In Evansville, Indiana, a prankster dressed himself up as the Devil to see how the more pious attendees at the opening would react. Patrons jeered him as he stood in line for concessions, and then began pelting him with Gummi Bears and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on the pretend devil.


this story originated in a newspaper. A satirical newspaper! unfortunately the event never happened (though I'm sure most of us could picture it happening)

see this thread for more details
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36764

and here's the newspapers disclaimer

http://www.hoosiergazette.com/disclaimer.htm

[digital goldfish]

I have an enormous amount of respect for Mr Randi, and if i won the lottery, would certainly make a sizeable donation to the cause, but does anyone else think that just sometimes he needs to get over himself.. Speaking from personal experience, it's very easy to get dragged in to the debunking everything that moves, but sometimes it's also easy to lose perspective, and Mr Randi does seem to do that from time to time..


just a thought...

[Hexxenhammer]

I just noticed that too. There were at least 2 threads here about this. The article had me fooled too though. Nothing in it was unbelieveable.

Randi should read the message board more!

[Monketey Ghost]

Originally posted by digital goldfish
I have an enormous amount of respect for Mr Randi, and if i won the lottery, would certainly make a sizeable donation to the cause, but does anyone else think that just sometimes he needs to get over himself.. Speaking from personal experience, it's very easy to get dragged in to the debunking everything that moves, but sometimes it's also easy to lose perspective, and Mr Randi does seem to do that from time to time..


just a thought...

*shrug*

He's an older guy, he's quite full of himself, and often I feel that his negative and abrasive style does more harm than good in terms of bringing people to the skeptical viewpoint.

[LFTKBS]

Geez . . . remember not to believe everything you read, Randi! That's what gets the theists in trouble!

[magicflute]

When you have been in the business as long as Randi has and experienced foolhardiness and self deception as much as he has, no amount of human stupidity will seem unlikely.

[Azathoth]

I got suckered by the same damn thing.

[shanek]

Oh, come on, people! What, skepticism is supposed to rid you of all human failings? And Randi, being a prominent skeptic, is supposed to be some kind of demigod? We're still humans, with the same capacity to make mistakes, jump to conclusions, and spout off things that fit with our worldview, how we believe or would like things to be. What's important is that, when pointed out that this story was a satire, whether or not Randi accepts this as a true skeptic and acknowledges the story is false and he made a mistake.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by LFTKBS
Geez . . . remember not to believe everything you read, Randi! That's what gets the theists in trouble!

The big difference between Randi and most theists is, though, that Randi is willing toa ccept that he can be mistaken. I would bet anything that Randi either edits the commentary as soon as he finds out that he is wrong or mentions that he was mistaken in the next commentary, if not both.

[Suezoled]

Originally posted by shanek
Oh, come on, people! What, skepticism is supposed to rid you of all human failings? And Randi, being a prominent skeptic, is supposed to be some kind of demigod? We're still humans, with the same capacity to make mistakes, jump to conclusions, and spout off things that fit with our worldview, how we believe or would like things to be. What's important is that, when pointed out that this story was a satire, whether or not Randi accepts this as a true skeptic and acknowledges the story is false and he made a mistake.

okay, well, now that you've ruined the witch-hunt Shane, where are we gonna roast the marshmallows?

[El Greco]

I don't see the big deal. If the disclaimer wasn't there, this story could be perfectly believable. It's not like it was a steep story.

That being said, I keep thinking what would happen if Randi started losing it and said that he now believes in god and spirits. Imagine the party woo-woos would have :D

[Silicon]

Of course he could do what any good reporter would do...

CHECK YOUR SOURCES.

Come on, it's not hard. Make a phone call.

[Bearguin]

Guess he's pulled if of the commentary. Hey. I was fooled, so I guess I can't slag someone else for it.

[Aoidoi]

I don't really care that he was fooled, but shouldn't he put some explanation in after removing it? Even just an "oops" would be fine. Maybe he'll include a comment next week.

Or maybe I'm just silly. :D