Randi"s demise

[Scarude]

O.K. Lets say someone proved telepathy as their paranormal ability, beyond a shadow of a doubt, beating million to one odds. The million dollar prize is won!

Now its up to science to discover the whereforall and the mechanism allowing telepathy to work so nicely.

But what then happens to Randi and his "cult" following? If this has already been discussed, forgive me. I have my own ideas about about this scenario, but would like to hear from other posters about theirs. :eek:

[LillyThePink]

Let's say someone proved telepathy.....

Then there would still be so much pseudoscience and other "paranormal" things to investigate, that skeptics would never run out of topics to investigate.

Your premise is enormous. No one has yet successfully completed the preliminary tests. All results could statistically be gained by chance alone with no additional abilities.

[Crossbow]

Originally posted by Scarude
O.K. Lets say someone proved telepathy as their paranormal ability, beyond a shadow of a doubt, beating million to one odds. The million dollar prize is won!

Now its up to science to discover the whereforall and the mechanism allowing telepathy to work so nicely.

But what then happens to Randi and his "cult" following? If this has already been discussed, forgive me. I have my own ideas about about this scenario, but would like to hear from other posters about theirs. :eek:

Science has been unable to find any mechanism for psionic powers since they are apparently unrelated to the five fundamental forces in the universe (electricty, magnetism, the weak force, the strong force, and gravity). Therefore, if such an event actually happened, I expect that it would be as remarkable as when Galileo discovered the four visible moons of Jupiter, details of the Lunar surface, and millions of new stars for it too would introduce a whole new science and way of looking at the universe.

Now then, what would happen to the skeptics (or, 'cult' as you like call them), I expect that we would be quite excited about the discovery and use it as example of how important is to exercise critical thinking when researching.

There would still be other numerous skeptical issues to resolve however such as valid public policy, religion, life after death, snake oil, and so on.

[Phil]

Originally posted by Scarude
But what then happens to Randi and his "cult" following? If this has already been discussed, forgive me. I have my own ideas about about this scenario, but would like to hear from other posters about theirs. :eek:

Nothing would happen to Randi, or the rest of us for that matter. We question all outrageous claims. All of them. There are tons more charlatans in the world aside from those professing telepathy.

But I sense an 'us against them' tone to your post. I don't think this is the way to approach skepticism. This is not a competition. If you get the opportunity, read Michael Shermer's definition of a skeptic in the front pages of Skeptic Magazine. It sums up what I would wager is the outlook for most posters on this site.

And by the way, I think 'cult' is the absolute wrong way to refer to critical thinkers. By definition they are on opposite ends of the proverbial spectrum.

[chipotle]

Away they'd fly
up into heaven, oh so high
If pigs had wings,
away they'd soar
up into heaven's golden door

"Yes, but what would that mean to James Randi?"

Sigh.

[Psiload]

Originally posted by Scarude
O.K. Lets say someone proved telepathy as their paranormal ability, beyond a shadow of a doubt, beating million to one odds. The million dollar prize is won!

Now its up to science to discover the whereforall and the mechanism allowing telepathy to work so nicely.

But what then happens to Randi and his "cult" following? If this has already been discussed, forgive me. I have my own ideas about about this scenario, but would like to hear from other posters about theirs. :eek: Randi would be dragged out into the town square where he would be tarred and feathered, and then burned at the stake. All members of his cult would be rounded up and placed into camps. Sylvia Browne would be appointed Minister of Information. Mountains would crumble into the seas, the stars would fall from the heavens, cats and dogs living together... MASS HYSTERIA!

Ahhh... you can dream.;)

[Pyrrho]

Originally posted by Scarude
O.K. Lets say someone proved telepathy as their paranormal ability, beyond a shadow of a doubt, beating million to one odds. The million dollar prize is won!

Now its up to science to discover the whereforall and the mechanism allowing telepathy to work so nicely.

But what then happens to Randi and his "cult" following? If this has already been discussed, forgive me. I have my own ideas about about this scenario, but would like to hear from other posters about theirs. :eek:
Randi and the rest of us in his "cult" (yeah...as if I'd worship anyone) would continue to debunk, challenge, and otherwise expose frauds. If telepathy were proven true, there'd be more frauds crawling out of the woodwork than believed possible, and the need for skeptics would be greater than ever.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

I would start a new cult to identify and assassinate all telepaths. No one is going to read my stinkin' mind!

~~Paul

[Interesting Ian]

Originally posted by Crossbow


Now then, what would happen to the skeptics (or, 'cult' as you like call them), I expect that we would be quite excited about the discovery

Don't you mean skeptics would be devastated?

[Interesting Ian]

Originally posted by Pyrrho

Randi and the rest of us in his "cult" (yeah...as if I'd worship anyone) would continue to debunk, challenge, and otherwise expose frauds. If telepathy were proven true, there'd be more frauds crawling out of the woodwork than believed possible, and the need for skeptics would be greater than ever.

True enough.

[Sundog]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


Don't you mean skeptics would be devastated?

I've noted this before, but I think people like yourself have the wrong idea about skeptics, at least some of us. I'd be utterly delighted if telepathy was proven to be real!

It's not that we don't WANT these things to be true. It's just like the kid once burned, twice shy. We aren't about to be fooled, that's all. What looks to you like stubborn denial is in many cases simply the "show me" mentality.

[Dancing David]

Welcome Scarude,

Oh yeah our cult will crumble, Jesus hasn't come back and Christians still operate.

Lets see one tiny peiece of evidence for the telepathy, and what happens next.

Science moves forward to incorporate it, I still won't believe in bigfoot or angels.

I wonder why if telepathy exists it would not be selected for genetically, it would give a real advantage in the mating game.

[KelvinG]

I think the person who started this thread did so only to be antagonistic. Using the words "cult following" were the first clue.
I don't think he's been back since most of the replies have been totally civil.
I expect he wanted to offend skeptics, but was shocked when a debate actually occurred.