Concern over changes

[Quake]

As it is now, I would expect many people attempt to go for the million dollar challenge. (It would be interesting to know how many a year do so) But as of the changes of April 1st, with the requirement that the applicant have a media profile, I expect the number of applicants will fall of dramatically, if not totally. I suspect anyone with a media profile will have more to fear for failing a test than a person off the street, and may all too well know that they wouldn't pass the test, because, well, the only people possessing paranormal abilities with a media profile are charlatans anyway.

My only concern is that there will be no serious testing going on, if that is a good thing (claims have been debunked so many times already, it's pointless to test anymore) or bad thing, I leave up to you to respond.

[Cuddles]

This has been discussed many times over in other threads. The reason for the changes is that there was no serious testing going on anyway. If you read some of the challenge applications you can see that the vast majority of applicants are simply mentally ill people who are incapable of stringing together a coherent sentence, let alone a sensible application. This is a huge waste of resources and does not help the goal of the JREF in any way. The challenge is basically a PR exercise to call attention to frauds and to help people see how they are being fooled. The changes are simply to move the challenge away from being a discussion group for the mentally ill and back to being a real educational tool.

[Dumb All Over]

Adding to what Cuddles said, preliminary testing can go on. Randi suggested that if you want to be tested and can't meet the new requirements, you can seek a preliminary test through your local skeptics organization. A positive test through these groups would most likely qualify you for further testing through Randi.

[Quake]

If you read some of the challenge applications you can see that the vast majority of applicants are simply mentally ill people who are incapable of stringing together a coherent sentence, let alone a sensible application.

Lol

The challenge is basically a PR exercise to call attention to frauds and to help people see how they are being fooled. The changes are simply to move the challenge away from being a discussion group for the mentally ill and back to being a real educational tool.

I see. It will be interesting to see how effective this new strategy is, I do think it’s a good idea though.