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View Full Version : James Randi and the Carlos Hoax - Interview

Richard
6th October 2007, 01:55 AM
From 1988

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PixyMisa
6th October 2007, 06:39 AM
Yeah, I remember (dating myself, I know) when there were "Carlos is coming!" posters plastered all over Sydney. I think the public took it all in their stride, but the media were really pissed off.

Serves them right for being gullible nits... and they never learned the lesson either.
tkingdoll
6th October 2007, 06:54 AM
Yeah, I remember (dating myself, I know) when there were "Carlos is coming!" posters plastered all over Sydney. I think the public took it all in their stride, but the media were really pissed off.

Serves them right for being gullible nits... and they never learned the lesson either.

I agree it serves them right, but given that you think they didn't learn the lesson (and may even be worse?), do you think the Carlos stunt was worthwhile?
PixyMisa
6th October 2007, 07:01 AM
Well, it's a good reminder that the media are no more reliable than anyone else.
tkingdoll
6th October 2007, 07:05 AM
Well, it's a good reminder that the media are no more reliable than anyone else.

I'd love to see a modern-day version, perhaps something more topical (for example, ghost-hunters, or alt med/healing if you could get that past an ethics committee). The trouble with this sort of lesson is, it's easily and quickly forgotten.
Tressa
6th October 2007, 07:07 AM
Perhaps the "media" as a whole may not of learned anything, but perhaps there are individual reporters, etc, who did, and they may have changed their style of reporting. And of course, it must have opened the eyes of some non media individuals.

Unfortunately, those are generally the stories that won't be heard. People may have the inspiration to change but they won't neccessarily express it in a public way (finding this board, or something like that) but it will effect how they live their lives.

Then again, on occasion maybe they do express it: didn't Randi mention that it's those cards/emails from individuals saying "thanks" or "you really made me think" that make it worth it?
Richard
6th October 2007, 07:30 AM
More on Carlos..

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and

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8392582596446539758