All indications are that this is not an honest attempt at proving paranormal phenomena, but that it is instead a stunt, a performance, a willful hoax.
I may be wrong. But given what we've seen so far, it seems to me that bending the rules in this case is unwise.
I completely agree. But if The Professor fails the test, atleast he can't claim he was treated unfairly. It will be abundantly clear to everyone that the JREF went out of their way to assist him in his MDC application.
It will be a battle of wits, and you think James Randi is in risk of losing?
In a battle of wits, I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr. Randi and the JREF will win, and I have very little concern over them losing the million dollars in this particular case. My concern, like Piggy, is the possibility that The Professor's application is merely a cry for attention and publicity, and he has no intention of ever taking the MDC.
I've been a member on The Magic Cafe.com for many years now, and I've spent a fair amount of time involved in threads regarding the JREF and the MDC. My position has always been in support of the JREF, and I've found that two of the most vocal members against Randi have been The Professor, and his friend Jim Callahan. No doubt you've all seen the work of Mr. Callahan, and his comments regarding the MDC. This man boldly states on his website that,
"$1,000,000.00 is what I intend to make as a result of testing with James Randi and his JREF organization."
(
http://jimclass.com/Challange.htm)
Jim believes the JREF MDC is rigged, so he has devised his own challenge which he feels suits his "abilities" better. Because the JREF aren't banging on his door to take said challenge, he advertises this as proof that Randi is scared of him. Jim is known to the JREF, and will seemingly tell anyone who'll listen (and even some who won't) how Randi "ran from his challenge". You can read more about it here:
http://jimclass.com/Bid_for_$1,000,000.00.htm
I understand that The Professor and Mr. Callahan are close friends. Infact, the photo of The Professor mailing his application to the JREF was first posted on Jim's website:
http://www.jimclass.com/RadioESP.htm
Based purely on my experience with both men over at The Magic Cafe, I suspect that The Professors application has been orchestrated with Mr. Callahan's assistance, and is more for future publicity than it is a genuine attempt at the MDC. This would explain the already noticeable loopholes that have begun to appear, such as;
The public announcement by The Professor regarding the time and details of the challenge before the JREF acknowledged his application.
The unfounded (and irrelevant) allegations that the details of The Professors application were "leaked" by JREF staff, and his accusations of unethical behavior.
The countless archived posts by The Professor on The Magic Cafe, publicly claiming that the JREF MDC is a fraud.
I'm also particularly interested in what The Professor will be providing as the required "proof of media presence". He has stated in this thread that he is booked for all of his radio appearances as a mentalist.
The Professor Slim King is booked on ALL of his radio Shows as a MENTALIST!
As I have already mentioned in another post, mentalism is a form of conjuring/magic. If The Professors claims about being booked as a mentalist are true (and I see no reason to doubt him), then I expect that the links to the radio programs he provided in his e-mail to RemieV (posted earlier in this thread) will not be sufficient media presence for the MDC. My suggestion is that The Professor should take part in the event this year without the involvement of the JREF, and attempt to gain some form of media coverage that relates directly to his claim, and then reapply for the MDC in time for the event on October 31st, 2009. Unfortunately, the event on October 31st, 2010 will occur after the JREF MDC has been discontinued. Whilst I don't speak for the JREF, I imagine that successful completion of the 2009 preliminary test would be strong enough to extend the deadline for The Professor to complete the formal test on October 31st, 2010.
Based on what has been posted here and elsewhere regarding The Professors application, I find it unlikely that the two parties will be able to agree on a testing protocol before the date of the event. I predict that The Professors attempt at the MDC will end with no test at all, and him claiming a win within the magic and paranormal community because the JREF refused to bend to his rules and conditions.
Cheers,
Chris
