would it be morally right to win the 1md...

[pillory]

in any case,if you win would,,,

naive question.

[billmi]

If you're a capitalist, yes.

If you are a socialist, probably yes, if you distributed the money to your fellow citizens.

-Bill

[Rolfe]

Irrespective of the morality, I have seen the claim that it's impossible to win.

Logic goes like this.

Things which happen predictably under test conditions are natural, not supernatural or paranormal.

Therefore anything which actually passed the test would be, by definition, not paranormal.

Rolfe

[reprise]

Originally posted by Rolfe
Irrespective of the morality, I have seen the claim that it's impossible to win.

Logic goes like this.

Things which happen predictably under test conditions are natural, not supernatural or paranormal.

Therefore anything which actually passed the test would be, by definition, not paranormal.

Rolfe

The challenge doesn't require the applicant to prove that their ability is paranormal in nature - it only requires that they demonstrate their ability under controlled conditions. Once they've achieved that, it's up to the scientists to work out the nature of that ability.

[Rolfe]

Originally posted by pillory
maybe i should have asked the not so naive question,,
is it moraly right to reveal that telepathy exists....

which is more valuable ...the truth or what you think is best

If telepathy exists, it would be morally right to reveal that. Consider - if there is a bug on your phone, wouldn't you rather know it was there? If it's possible for the bad guys to learn the trick, they're probably doing it already. So it's only fair to let the ordinary schmucks into the secret so they can have the chance of evening the scales by learning it too.

So, if you think you can do it, start devising your test. And the very best of luck to you.

Rolfe (P 12, but not telling anyone)

[gnome]

Originally posted by Rolfe
Irrespective of the morality, I have seen the claim that it's impossible to win.

Logic goes like this.

Things which happen predictably under test conditions are natural, not supernatural or paranormal.

Therefore anything which actually passed the test would be, by definition, not paranormal.

Rolfe

Reprise is right... but more to the point, JREF has to decide before the test is agreed to whether the claimed ability qualifies as a supernatural power. If the test actually is held, the nature of the ability no longer has any impact on the awarding of the prize--only success or failure. The details of the application are quite clear on that.

[CWL]

Yea, but you don't look like the one who'll collect it...