Psychic Samurai applies for MDC...apparently...

[The Professor]

Here are designs for scanning devices as requested. I'll list more later. The first links are the easiest and least expensive to construct.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN8iJjEq5Kg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwvjhHd09hM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUOkWGrz94s&feature=related
Urban legends skeptic video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgRyB-VFSGo
More schematics
http://www.worlditc.org/k_06_spiricom.htm
My favorite!
http://www.worlditc.org/c_04_s_bridge_19.htm

The celebrated American inventor Thomas Edison, whose parents were Spiritualists, worked on an electronic device that sought to facilitate contact between the living and the dead. In a 1920 issue of Scientific American he declared:

“…if personality exists after what we call death, it is reasonable to conclude that those who leave this Earth would like to communicate with those they have left here… I am inclined to believe that our personality hereafter will be able to affect matter. If this reasoning be correct, then, if we can evolve an instrument so delicate as to be affected or moved or manipulated… by our personality as it survives in the next life, such an instrument, when made available, ought to record something."

Alas, Edison had not completed the machine by the time of his death in 1931, and he didn't leave behind his project notes (or a number to reach him at!).

Some feel that Frank's Box is this design.
http://www.keyportparanormal.com/ghostboxschematics.html
http://www.spiritsearchsociety.com/theghostbox.pdf

Feel free to make one yourself and you will be more than welcome at the demonstration!

 

[xinit]

I do want to clarify the WHAT as it seems the JREF wants me to eliminate the use of ITC, which I find as the cutting edge in Paranormal research today. I also do not want to be limited to "GHOST" or pushed in that direction, since the JREF doesn't believe in anything like that. I don't understand why the changes in the words I've used on my claim were made.

If not a ghost, then what? Would voices transmitted from a remote radio to a reciever hidden on or about your person be included in the phenomenon that you would consider a success?

I don't see the word 'ghost' in the MDC post from RemieV...

forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=122607

 

[Czarcasm]

I. I. David Koenig. will contact a Paranormal Entity and communicate with it in an intelligent and
understandable manner. Reasonable questions will be asked and answered. This communication
will be recorded with Instrumental TransCommunication and Electronic Voice Phenomenon
(ITC and EVP) methods. Conventional video recording will also be used to verify contact in
addition to Still Photography. Other scientific devices will also be used to determine and verify
any unusual presences at the location.
II. This Demonstration will take Place 10/31/2008 at Lake Helen Florida. I will make contact on
that date as a preliminary test and then again on 10/31/2009 to complete the Million Dollar
Challenge , unless the JREF would like to forgo the preliminary test and go straight to the
Challenge on 10/31/2008. I would prefer to go straight to the Million Dollar Challenge and not
waste any time.

1. You will communicate with it in what way? Verbal? Electronic? Visual?
2 What would you consider to be a "reasonable question"? Could you give us an example of an "unreasonable question"?
3. Have these ITC and EVP been tested by people that do not already believe in this phenomena? Have they every been doubled-blind tested for this specific purpose?
4. What visual phenomena do you expect to occur?
5. "Other scientific devices will also be used to determine and verify any unusual presences at the location." What devices, and exactly will count as an "unusual presence"?
Unless you specific what you are looking for, this will sound like a fishing trip.

 

[jimtron]

David, what is a paranormal entity, and how will we know you are contacting it? Please tell us exactly how it will manifest itself (a voice?), and more importantly, how it will be unquestionably paranormal, and not a natural phenomenon.

What is it that will be seen in the video and stills that will be undeniably paranormal?

I think right now the time and place is less important than hearing how you will prove that you are contacting a paranormal entity.

 

[Czarcasm]

A lot of unspecified equipment will be used in unspecified ways by unspecified "experts" to record unspecified results which will be interpreted by...??
This sounds more like a "best of" episode "Ghost Hunter" than a proper protocol. Any specifics would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gr8wight]

For those of you who have not read it here is the Official Statement mailed to the JREF several weeks ago via certified mail. They received it by the Monday after it was mailed before 1:49 PM. Verified by the US Postal Service.

I. I. David Koenig. will contact a Paranormal Entity and communicate with it in an intelligent and
understandable manner. Reasonable questions will be asked and answered. This communication
will be recorded with Instrumental TransCommunication and Electronic Voice Phenomenon
(ITC and EVP) methods. Conventional video recording will also be used to verify contact in
addition to Still Photography. Other scientific devices will also be used to determine and verify
any unusual presences at the location.
II. This Demonstration will take Place 10/31/2008 at Lake Helen Florida. I will make contact on
that date as a preliminary test and then again on 10/31/2009 to complete the Million Dollar
Challenge , unless the JREF would like to forgo the preliminary test and go straight to the
Challenge on 10/31/2008. I would prefer to go straight to the Million Dollar Challenge and not
waste any time.

Yes, David, we've seen that. You have been informed by the JREF that, as a statement of claim, it is insufficient. I believe Remie's exact words were:

...his claim does not meet the requirements for a Challenge test as it requires subjective interpretation and does not rely upon objective, quantifiable evidence.

So, your claim, as you have stated it, is currently useless as a starting point in any discussion of a potential test protocol. You need to sharpen your pencil and try again. I'll give you some advice. Think detail. Lots and lots of specific detail. Exactly what will you do, and exactly what will observers see, hear, smell, taste, or feel? In exactly what way will the instruments you plan to use react? In what way will those instrumental reactions support your claim?

Remember, at no time will it be allowed to have a person judge whether or not you have been successful. Even James Randi himself is not allowed to say, "well, in my opinion, this test is a success (or failure)." If the outcome of the test cannot be made self evident, then the claim is untestable.

 

[Loss Leader]

Yes, yes, yes ...

What are you going to do while you sit on the chair?

Demanding that the JREF agree to the When and Where before hearing what you plan to do while you are there seems a bit ... stagey. I don't understand how anybody can decide that a place is fair absent an understanding of what you are going to do at that place.

Please lay out your entire protocol in as much detail as possible. Please don't do it in pieces.

Otherwise, please consider the answer to the When and Where of your experiment to be: "Provisionally, yes, subject to learning what you will be doing."

 

[Piggy]

For those of you who have not read it here is the Official Statement mailed to the JREF several weeks ago via certified mail. They received it by the Monday after it was mailed before 1:49 PM. Verified by the US Postal Service.

I. I. David Koenig. will contact a Paranormal Entity and communicate with it in an intelligent and
understandable manner. Reasonable questions will be asked and answered. This communication
will be recorded with Instrumental TransCommunication and Electronic Voice Phenomenon
(ITC and EVP) methods. Conventional video recording will also be used to verify contact in
addition to Still Photography. Other scientific devices will also be used to determine and verify
any unusual presences at the location.
II. This Demonstration will take Place 10/31/2008 at Lake Helen Florida. I will make contact on
that date as a preliminary test and then again on 10/31/2009 to complete the Million Dollar
Challenge , unless the JREF would like to forgo the preliminary test and go straight to the
Challenge on 10/31/2008. I would prefer to go straight to the Million Dollar Challenge and not
waste any time.


As you know I won't chase rabbits here. I have a gig just like most of you and my time is also at a premium. Perhaps you didn't read this before so I will post it again. I don't want to make a habit of going over materials that has already been provided. If you compare this to what is posted on the JREF by Alison Smith you will see a big difference. I am trying to see what we can agree upon right away and work on the other issues promptly as we proceed.
I am avoiding no pertinent questions. I am trying to hammer down the WHEN, and WHERE issues first since we are so close to agreement on those two.
I do want to clarify the WHAT as it seems the JREF wants me to eliminate the use of ITC, which I find as the cutting edge in Paranormal research today. I also do not want to be limited to "GHOST" or pushed in that direction, since the JREF doesn't believe in anything like that. I don't understand why the changes in the words I've used on my claim were made.
I am trying to find out.
Thanks for all of your help!
Dave

Post 200 clarifies nothing.

Neither does this because we already know that it doesn't meet the standard.

If you do not "clarify the WHAT" then you are not making a paranormal claim. You are merely announcing a performance.

And JREF has made no conclusions regarding ghosts and such. The $1mUS is offered to anyone who could show valid evidence of such things.

If you refuse to say what your paranormal event or ability is, you cannot win the $1m, plain and simple.

 

[The Professor]

Yes, David, we've seen that. You have been informed by the JREF that, as a statement of claim, it is insufficient. I believe Remie's exact words were:



So, your claim, as you have stated it, is currently useless as a starting point in any discussion of a potential test protocol. You need to sharpen your pencil and try again. I'll give you some advice. Think detail. Lots and lots of specific detail. Exactly what will you do, and exactly what will observers see, hear, smell, taste, or feel? In exactly what way will the instruments you plan to use react? In what way will those instrumental reactions support your claim?

Remember, at no time will it be allowed to have a person judge whether or not you have been successful. Even James Randi himself is not allowed to say, "well, in my opinion, this test is a success (or failure)." If the outcome of the test cannot be made self evident, then the claim is untestable.

Thank you G8
That brings up a great point. I was only allowed two paragraphs to sum up my claim on the application. I did just that. As the protocol continues I was told I'd be able to elaborate, which is what I'm doing Now.
Now is the time to add details and I will.
In general people whant to know What, When and Where and I'm doing my best to arrive at these agreement and have a fair test. I feel the When and Where is covered at this point.
I was asked about the instrumentation used and I've provided links to many of the devices.
I will continue to answer these questions as time permits.
As far as James Randi being the ultimate witness, it's Amazing that you brought that up.
Here is an email I'd recently sent to Alison at the JREF about that very idea.

"Thanks Alison for you response!
I would love to alter my claim to fit the standards of the claims accepted for the Million Dollar Challenge. Where are these standards listed so I can conform?
Isn't how the test will be objective and quantifiable part of the protocol? I'm a bit confused about this. I have been getting some great advice from the JREF Forum. Do you recommend I continue receiving their help or not?
My thoughts were to allow James Randi Himself to be the final word on what was acceptable as to the outcome, good or bad.
Thanks again.
Dave"

What a coincidence!
I'd like to thank all those with good ideas for sharing. I am working with Alison on this as best I can.
I intend on using many researchers who are Skeptics themselves in this test to assure fairness. I have invited you also.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Biscuit]

While you work on the Protocol with JREF and clarify the WHEN and WHERE I believe there are many people here that still want to know the WHAT.

What are you planning to contact?

 

[Piggy]

Thank you G8
That brings up a great point. I was only allowed two paragraphs to sum up my claim on the application. I did just that. As the protocol continues I was told I'd be able to elaborate, which is what I'm doing Now.
Now is the time to add details and I will.
In general people whant to know What, When and Where and I'm doing my best to arrive at these agreement and have a fair test. I feel the When and Where is covered at this point.
I was asked about the instrumentation used and I've provided links to many of the devices.
I will continue to answer these questions as time permits.
As far as James Randi being the ultimate witness, it's Amazing that you brought that up.
Here is an email I'd recently sent to Alison at the JREF about that very idea.

"Thanks Alison for you response!
I would love to alter my claim to fit the standards of the claims accepted for the Million Dollar Challenge. Where are these standards listed so I can conform?
Isn't how the test will be objective and quantifiable part of the protocol? I'm a bit confused about this. I have been getting some great advice from the JREF Forum. Do you recommend I continue receiving their help or not?
My thoughts were to allow James Randi Himself to be the final word on what was acceptable as to the outcome, good or bad.
Thanks again.
Dave"

What a coincidence!
I'd like to thank all those with good ideas for sharing. I am working with Alison on this as best I can.
I intend on using many researchers who are Skeptics themselves in this test to assure fairness. I have invited you also.
Thanks
Dave

Since your first proposal was unacceptable on the grounds that it involved a judgment....

Perhaps it might be a good idea to back off a bit and first define, very simply, what it is you claim can be done in order to be sure it's actually paranormal?

For instance, the claim "I can move objects purely by thinking about moving them" would be a good summary of a paranormal claim.

On the other hand "I can contact a paranormal entity" is too vague. Nobody knows what a "paranormal entity" is.

But "I can set up some equipment that will make a voice appear on a magnetic tape" is not a paranormal claim, because it describes a show trick and has no discernible claim to anything clearly paranormal.

So let's get down to basics, please.

What is the paranormal claim that we're beginning with here?

We can get around to how to test it after you explain that.

 

[jimtron]

Dave:

Here's Million Dollar Challenge FAQ--if you haven't read it, I would highly recommend you do: http://www.randi.org/joom/million-dollar-challenge-faq.html

Also, we're not trying to give you a hard time here, we're tying to encourage you to come up with an acceptable protocol. I would urge you to look through this specific forum (MDC forum) and read threads where past applicants were trying to come up with protocols.

It is in your best interest to carefully read all the rules, and discussions with past applicants. James Randi (AFAIK) is not the person who judges whether a challenge is a success or failure. That is agreed upon in advance by the applicant and JREF. The outcome must be self evident, as has been mentioned many times on this thread. So it's not a matter of Randi or your experts making a subjective analysis of the results. It's more fair that way.

Here are a few excerpts from the Challenge application page. (http://www.randi.org/joom/challenge-application.html):

From #1 ..."Applicant must state clearly in advance, and applicant and JREF will agree upon, what powers and/or abilities will be demonstrated, the limits of the proposed demonstration (so far as time, location and other variables are concerned) and what will constitute both a positive and a negative result."

6. In all cases, applicant will be required to perform a preliminary test either before an appointed representative, if distance and time dictate that need, or in a location where a member or representative of the JREF staff can attend. This preliminary test is to determine if the applicant is likely to perform as promised during a formal test, using the agreed-upon protocol. To date, no applicant has passed the preliminary test, and this has eliminated the need for formal testing in those cases. There is no limit on the number of times an applicant may re-apply, but re-application can take place only after 12 months have elapsed since the completion of the preliminary test.

15. EVERY APPLICANT MUST AGREE UPON WHAT WILL CONSTITUTE A CONCLUSION THAT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRELIMINARY OR THE FORMAL TEST, HE OR SHE DID OR DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THE CLAIMED ABILITY OR POWER.

PLEASE: Do not burden us with theories, philosophical observations, previous examples, anecdotal evidence or other comments! We are only interested in an actual demonstration.

IMPORTANT: Only claims that can be verified by evidence under proper observing conditions will be accepted. Also, JREF will NOT accept claims of the existence of deities or demons/angels, the validity of exorcism, religious claims, cloudbusting, causing the Sun to rise or the stars to move, etc.

 

[Gr8wight]

My thoughts were to allow James Randi Himself to be the final word on what was acceptable as to the outcome, good or bad.

You misread my post. The point is, by the very rules of the challenge, no judge, not even Randi himself, is allowed to decide if the test is a success or not. The results must be self-evident, and what constitutes success and failure laid out plainly in the protocol.

Examine the thread about Pavel's protocol negotiations. In that test, Pavel will choose which envelope given to him contains a specific target image. The other evelope (or envelopes) will not conatin any image. Pavel and the JREF will agree ahead of time how many correct choices will constitute a successful test. In that test, either Pavel chooses the envelope containing the target image, or he doesn't. Either he makes enough correct choices or he doesn't. There is no judge.

It is entirely possible that your claim cannot be tested in this manner. If a suitable protocol that does not require subjective judging of success or failure cannot be agreed upon, the JREF will declare your claim to be untestable. They will not be saying your claim is unsupported, or untrue; only that it is unable to be tested within the rules of the JREF one million dollar challenge.

 

[The Professor]

As to the what I have a couple of minutes before I'm off on a gig, so here we go.
As to the people involved, firstly ...

I will be seated on the Devil's Chair. There will be several "interpreters" around me. These are people who speak more than one language. They will be at least efficiently bi-lingual. Each one is fluent in a different language. English, and the language of their expertise. I suggest, Spanish, German, Russian, French, and Portuguese (there may be more as time allows).
There will also be "the technicians" or those who are handling the electronic devices and anything technical (I would be delighted to use some of the JREF Forum members for any of these positions).
I will speak into a microphone and "broadcast" into the various frequencies of the spectrum.
The first question I ask will be " What is your name?" in each of the agreed upon languages.

Hope that gets you started. I am gone for a few on a gig. Gotta run!
Thanks for your help. I'm sure that together we can come up with a fair protocol.
Thanks again
Dave

 

[Pantaz]

. . .
I will speak into a microphone and "broadcast" into the various frequencies of the spectrum.
. . .

Gee, could you be just a little less vague?
It sounds like you want to use a radio transmitter. This implies the response will also be via radio -- I'm sure that's not correct... I really hope that's not correct...

 

[jimtron]

As to the what I have a couple of minutes before I'm off on a gig, so here we go.
As to the people involved, firstly ...

I will be seated on the Devil's Chair. There will be several "interpreters" around me. These are people who speak more than one language. They will be at least efficiently bi-lingual. Each one is fluent in a different language. English, and the language of their expertise. I suggest, Spanish, German, Russian, French, and Portuguese (there may be more as time allows).
There will also be "the technicians" or those who are handling the electronic devices and anything technical (I would be delighted to use some of the JREF Forum members for any of these positions).
I will speak into a microphone and "broadcast" into the various frequencies of the spectrum.
The first question I ask will be " What is your name?" in each of the agreed upon languages.

Hope that gets you started. I am gone for a few on a gig. Gotta run!
Thanks for your help. I'm sure that together we can come up with a fair protocol.
Thanks again
Dave

Please get right to the paranormal part. Broadcasting a voice and speaking foreign languages obviously are not paranormal. What exactly is the paranormal angle, and how will you prove that it is in fact a supernatural event, and not a natural one?

 

[Piggy]

As to the what I have a couple of minutes before I'm off on a gig, so here we go.
As to the people involved, firstly ...

I will be seated on the Devil's Chair. There will be several "interpreters" around me. These are people who speak more than one language. They will be at least efficiently bi-lingual. Each one is fluent in a different language. English, and the language of their expertise. I suggest, Spanish, German, Russian, French, and Portuguese (there may be more as time allows).
There will also be "the technicians" or those who are handling the electronic devices and anything technical (I would be delighted to use some of the JREF Forum members for any of these positions).
I will speak into a microphone and "broadcast" into the various frequencies of the spectrum.
The first question I ask will be " What is your name?" in each of the agreed upon languages.

Hope that gets you started. I am gone for a few on a gig. Gotta run!
Thanks for your help. I'm sure that together we can come up with a fair protocol.
Thanks again
Dave

I'm afraid it does not get us started because it does not describe anything remotely paranormal.

Anyone can sit in the Devil's Chair with bilingual speakers around them and speak into a microphone and broadcast what they are saying.

That is not paranormal.

Please, if you're serious about this -- if this is not a performance, a mere act -- then you will need to say what you will do that is paranormal.

So far you haven't done this, so you don't appear to actually be attempting to participate in the challenge.

 

[Czarcasm]

Lots of electronic equipment? Interpreters? Technicians?
Who is paying for all this?
What do you mean by "broadcast"?
What in the world do you mean by "spectrum"?

A simple request-please drop the show lingo and the teaser revelations and just write a simple paragraph on what you plan to do. Make it simple, if possible. It now sounds as if you are putting on a show for your fans, and the JREF has been invited along to give an air of legitimacy.
An important question-if the JREF decides that what you are doing is not feasible, do you still plan on going on with this elaborate demonstration? Simply put, is this a proper application for the MDC, or a show?

 

[GzuzKryzt]

...
Hope that gets you started.
...

This ordeal looks very much like a publicity stunt for Koenig. Would ignoring him mean ignorance?

Too bad the JREF does not have the resources to publish the correspondence with Koenig.

Smart money predicts no test will happen.

 

[petre]

As to the what I have a couple of minutes before I'm off on a gig, so here we go.
As to the people involved, firstly ...

I will be seated on the Devil's Chair. There will be several "interpreters" around me. These are people who speak more than one language. They will be at least efficiently bi-lingual. Each one is fluent in a different language. English, and the language of their expertise. I suggest, Spanish, German, Russian, French, and Portuguese (there may be more as time allows).
There will also be "the technicians" or those who are handling the electronic devices and anything technical (I would be delighted to use some of the JREF Forum members for any of these positions).
I will speak into a microphone and "broadcast" into the various frequencies of the spectrum.
The first question I ask will be " What is your name?" in each of the agreed upon languages.

Hope that gets you started. I am gone for a few on a gig. Gotta run!
Thanks for your help. I'm sure that together we can come up with a fair protocol.
Thanks again
Dave

1. Sitting in the Devil's Chair is not paranormal.
2. Being surrounded by bilingual persons is not paranormal.
3. Being in the presence of technically inclined individuals is not paranormal.
4. Speaking into a microphone (even in multiple languages) is not paranormal.

I'm affraid your claim as currently stated is not paranormal. It cannot be deteremined if any of these requirements are necessary, unimportant, or even detrimental to your parnormal claim until you make it known.