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

[jimtron]

Dave: You don't have to listen to our suggestions, and you don't have to participate in this thread if you don't want to. You could just follow the rules and apply without discussing your challenge here.

However, if (and this is a big "if") you really believe that you can demonstrate a paranormal event in a testable way, it's in your interest to listen to our suggestions--if you want to win the million. Yes, we know that you said trickery would be avoided, but you'll need to specify how that will be done. Not to make us happy, but because those are the rules.

So far this thread has been very much like most of the others here in the MDC forum. A claim is made, but when details are asked for, the claimant hedges.

You haven't been told to change the date or try telekinesis. These were suggestions. I asked if you might want to try something easier, because you've been asked one zillion times to tell us how your claim is paranormal and how you can prove that, and you continue to avoid answering. Again, that's your prerogative, you don't have to answer a single question on this forum. But if you are sincere about taking the challenge, you will have to explain, in detail, how trickery will be avoided (sorry, just saying "trickery will be avoided won't cut it", and how you your paranormal event will be objectively paranormal.

You are behaving like someone who can't really demonstrate your claim, and are looking for a way out. If this isn't true, tell us exactly what you plan to do, and describe how it will be undeniably, clearly, objectively paranormal.

Also, it might help to look through this forum at past discussions to see what kind of details we're talking about.

 

[Marcus]

Professor, could you please quote the questions people have asked you since your last poat, and then actually answer those questions? Simply giving us your proposed protocol again doesn't help, it doesn't answer the important questions.

I guess the answer is no. This says a lot about your motives. I am persuaded to the view that you are simply proposing a magic trick.

 

[e-sabbath]

What are these entities that you will ask questions of?
How are you assured they will reply?
What are the ways they may reply to you?
Why is Oct 31 so critical?
Why is the Devil's Chair so important?

And most importantly, what is paranormal about hearing voices?

If we knew more about your claim, perhaps we could help further.

 

[The Professor]

What are these entities that you will ask questions of?
How are you assured they will reply?
What are the ways they may reply to you?
Why is Oct 31 so critical?
Why is the Devil's Chair so important?

And most importantly, what is paranormal about hearing voices?

If we knew more about your claim, perhaps we could help further.

I will tell the story form the beginning and it will answer these questions. The afternoon thunder storms are here right now and I will have to shut off the computer in a minute.
I will answer these questions when I return if the mods permit it?

 

[petre]

Bit I WILL NOT QUIT as you have suggested!

Rufusing to take any action to better your position is quitting by default.

I am, however, encouraged that you seem to have refocused on some key issues. Primarily that you are committed to "remove all possibility of trickery".

Before I get into that, let me respond that as far as I'm concerned, sound coming from an unseen source is indeed not paranormal. There exists technology to concentrate sound waves into patterns that converge on a particular point in space (within any fluid-filled medium anyway, common air for example) and cause a sound to emit from that location.

Based on your current protocol, this might require that the testing area be sealed off in a fully-controlled environment. Faraday cage, sound-proof dome, additional interference counter-measures, detailed searches of all equipment and persons entering the controlled area. Such an operation may extend into 5- or even near 6-digit figures. Forgive us if we doubt someone is willing to front the funds for such an operation, especially when one considers it would need to be repeated for an eventual chance at the prize.

 

[Chris H]

I'm Swimming with the Sharks. I knew there would be attacks. This thread was started by someone who personally email James Randi himself!( And was booted off the Magic Cafe) Of course you will attack a single swimmer by himself.
Bit I WILL NOT QUIT as you have suggested!

Whilst it is somewhat off topic, I do feel the need to defend myself considering I'm the one being attacked in the above quote, and I hope the moderators are happy for me to post this.

I was banned from The Magic Cafe for approximately two weeks in late August. I haven't denied this, and I believe I already mentioned it a couple of times earlier in this thread. For some reason though, The Professor is keen on telling as many people as possible about this "scandal", and has repeated it (here and elsewhere) several times.

Why was I banned? I sent the 'Ghostman and Demonhunter Show' a link to The Magic Cafe that showed that The Professor had visited the JREF forum before he made his Bigfoot prediction on their show (August 3rd). There was a post on the JREF forum regarding the recent "Bigfoot" discovery, that was started on July 23rd. I didn't claim he was lying, but suggested that perhaps he knew about the discovery before it was major news because of his involvement in the magic and skeptic communities, and not because of any kind of "paranormal force". I openly admitted to doing this, and was banned from The Magic Cafe for two weeks, as this was apparent exposure of another performers "act". What the cafe staff apparently didn't realise is that The Professor was appearing on a show dedicated to the paranormal (http://www.ghostanddemon.com/) and never mentioned the fact that he was a magician. In fact, here's the biography of The Professor from The Ghostman and Demonhunter website;

http://ghostanddemon.podomatic.com/
August 3rd with "The Professor" Slim King
"The Professor" Slim King has had an interest in the Supernatural his entire life. He has explored many Paranormal events and conducted hundreds of Psychic and simply Weird experiments. He has written several ebooks about the basics of Numerology, Palmistry, Pendulums, Dreams, Dice, and other strange methods of telling the future. Slim predicted the Belmont Stakes Superfecta just a short while ago. No idea what he will predict NEXT! Hang on to your hats as "The Professor" harnesses the Worlds Paranormal Undercurrents and Broadcasts them Live on The Radio!

Since then he has posted here that...

The Professor Slim King is booked on ALL of his radio Shows as a MENTALIST!

This seems to be a rather severe contradiction to his biography, and I don't see the point in posting a "disclaimer" after the event has occurred, but I must give credit where credit is due.

As for the e-mails from Randi... So what? Before The Professor's application had been submitted, I sent Randi an e-mail asking whether any of the fellows who constantly mouth off about the challenge over at The Magic Cafe had ever officially applied. He was kind enough to respond. Since then, I've also sent the JREF a couple of DVD recordings of the recent Australian TV series, 'The One'. I got a thank-you e-mail from Randi then too. I fail to see what the big deal is.

Whilst I'm at it, I'd like to politely request that The Professor stop referring to me as "The Gorilla" on forums, and in his e-mails to the JREF. The word "guerrilla" in my user name may have similar pronunciation to "gorilla", but the two are indeed different words. Thanks.

I hope this clears a few things up.

Regards,

Chris

 

[jmercer]

I will tell the story form the beginning and it will answer these questions. The afternoon thunder storms are here right now and I will have to shut off the computer in a minute.
I will answer these questions when I return if the mods permit it?

Yes, absolutely you may answer these questions, or make any statements you wish - within the boundaries of Membership Agreement, of course!

Please keep in mind that any new post(s) will not appear until a moderator has approved them. In case this hasn't been explained to you yet, this is true for everyone in this thread - the thread is in "moderated" mode, which requires all posts to be approved by a moderator prior to appearing.

Since the mod team doesn't keep to a set schedule (we are volunteers), your post may not be released immediately, so please be patient in the event of a delay.

Thank you.

 

[RoboTimbo]

"The story from the beginning" is more hand waving. It isn't pertinent to the protocol being discussed here. At least, everyone except you is discussing the protocol. Please DO NOT tell "the story".

Please address the many questions already hanging in the air without polluting the air even more.

Nobody is more anxious than the members of this forum for you to be tested. In fact, everyone except you seems anxious for there to be a protocol and a test.

Simple: NO story, ANSWER questions. We're doing it for your own good.

 

[fromdownunder]

One of the issues (or assumptions - it's hard to tell because the applicant is not being all that clear at the moment) on this thread appears to be that the challenger is going to be the one asking questions, presumably selected by himself.

So would an acceptable amendment to any potential protocol be that the questions should be designed by a person completely independant from both the Challenger and JREF, and handed to The Professor one at a time, each in a sealed envelope on the night of the challenge? The Professor then opens the envelope, asks the question, and everyone sees what happens.

Would that not eliminate any opportunity for pre recorded answers to be used? Or is the applicant insisting that the only acceptable questions are those which he himself has previously devised?

Norm

 

[e-sabbath]

I will tell the story form the beginning and it will answer these questions.

We are waiting. Remember, we are here to apply the scientific method.
1. Use your experience
2. Form a conjecture
3. Deduce a prediction from that explanation
4. Test

The hard part is forming a conjecture such that a prediction can be made and tested.

We are not your enemies. We all, each and every one of us, hope to be proven wrong (or right) about the super-natural.
However, we also will not allow falsehood, wishful thinking, or imprecision to make this quest fail. We speak strictly, simply because what we search for must work as well as gravity, as reliably as the speed of light, and as consistently as conservation of energy.

So... I will continue to ask for precision where I find none.
I am waiting.
The world is waiting.

 

[yairhol]

Guerrila,
You are doing a terrific job in making us understand who we're dealing with here (The Professor). He does seem to be doing a publicity stunt and either eventually not going through with the challenge or trying to pull off a magic act at the location of the challenge. He is very unclear in his claims, very unclear with his suggested protocol and I predict that he will not be able to complete the protocol in time for the preliminary test at the end of October. I also predict that he will then go to other forums/t.v. shows/radio shows etc. and announce to the world that the JREF have declined to test him because they are afraid he will win etc.
I'm still here because I'm giving him a 2% benefit of the doubt that he may be genuine in his believes of the paranormal and that he would really like to take the challenge, no trickery involved.

Again, thank you for directing our attention to all the nasty things The Professor has been writing about the JREF and all the inaccuracies in his bio.

 

[The Professor]

Guerrila,
You are doing a terrific job in making us understand who we're dealing with here (The Professor). He does seem to be doing a publicity stunt and either eventually not going through with the challenge or trying to pull off a magic act at the location of the challenge. He is very unclear in his claims, very unclear with his suggested protocol and I predict that he will not be able to complete the protocol in time for the preliminary test at the end of October. I also predict that he will then go to other forums/t.v. shows/radio shows etc. and announce to the world that the JREF have declined to test him because they are afraid he will win etc.
I'm still here because I'm giving him a 2% benefit of the doubt that he may be genuine in his believes of the paranormal and that he would really like to take the challenge, no trickery involved.

Again, thank you for directing our attention to all the nasty things The Professor has been writing about the JREF and all the inaccuracies in his bio.

I have said for the Zillienth time
I WILL WORK WITH THE JREF TO ASSURE THAT THERE IS NO TRICKERY INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times can I say this.
Of course I will be on the TV, Radio and in Newspapers. Randi does the Same Thing! That is how the JREF is funded.... Interest in the Million Dollar Challenge. It is a huge percentage of the JREF's income.
Some ask questions about my history yet others say No background story. Which is it?
I am a performer. I have been since I was 16 yet that seems to be held against me here. I perform for about a million people each year. I have always believed in the Paranormal. I have been outspoken about all of this and made no effort to hide it.
I perform mental Illusions on the radio in addition to discussing Paranormal Events.
This Challenge is about a Paranormal Event. One that Houdini himself helped to set up! Also Thomas Edison agreed that this could happen and was indeed Paranormal.

 

[The Professor]

One of the issues (or assumptions - it's hard to tell because the applicant is not being all that clear at the moment) on this thread appears to be that the challenger is going to be the one asking questions, presumably selected by himself.

So would an acceptable amendment to any potential protocol be that the questions should be designed by a person completely independant from both the Challenger and JREF, and handed to The Professor one at a time, each in a sealed envelope on the night of the challenge? The Professor then opens the envelope, asks the question, and everyone sees what happens.

Would that not eliminate any opportunity for pre recorded answers to be used? Or is the applicant insisting that the only acceptable questions are those which he himself has previously devised?

Norm

That's a great idea! And even to show how fair I can be. I will be willing to ask the same questions that Randi wanted to use when debunking a recent Medium. They are secret questions that I couldn't know. That should remove any doubt! I will use question designed by Randi himself! (Although I do want to ask their name, even if I am seeking Houdini himself)

 

[The Professor]

Rufusing to take any action to better your position is quitting by default.

I am, however, encouraged that you seem to have refocused on some key issues. Primarily that you are committed to "remove all possibility of trickery".

Before I get into that, let me respond that as far as I'm concerned, sound coming from an unseen source is indeed not paranormal. There exists technology to concentrate sound waves into patterns that converge on a particular point in space (within any fluid-filled medium anyway, common air for example) and cause a sound to emit from that location.

Based on your current protocol, this might require that the testing area be sealed off in a fully-controlled environment. Faraday cage, sound-proof dome, additional interference counter-measures, detailed searches of all equipment and persons entering the controlled area. Such an operation may extend into 5- or even near 6-digit figures. Forgive us if we doubt someone is willing to front the funds for such an operation, especially when one considers it would need to be repeated for an eventual chance at the prize.

I'm not too sure as to "HOW" the test is paid for is involved in the Protocol, but I have no problem telling you.

I have several interested parties in the media who are very interested in this story. I think you can see the possibilities. The same group of people that pay Randi to lecture about the Million Dollar Challenge are also interested in how it is supposed to work. Of course all of my radio contacts are interested as well as TV and various publishers. I also work for NBC so that may help too.

I will continue to answer your questions as they come. I will ignore those who try to derail the thread as others have advised.

 

[The Professor]

Yes, absolutely you may answer these questions, or make any statements you wish - within the boundaries of Membership Agreement, of course!

Please keep in mind that any new post(s) will not appear until a moderator has approved them. In case this hasn't been explained to you yet, this is true for everyone in this thread - the thread is in "moderated" mode, which requires all posts to be approved by a moderator prior to appearing.

Since the mod team doesn't keep to a set schedule (we are volunteers), your post may not be released immediately, so please be patient in the event of a delay.

Thank you.

Thanks for the clarification and I agree with what you quote about EVIL
I use the same one on the magic cafe

 

[yairhol]

I WILL WORK WITH THE JREF TO ASSURE THAT THERE IS NO TRICKERY INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why are you using future tense when you should be using present tense?
October 31st (or is it the 30th) is coming awfully quick this time of year.
Do you think you will be ready on time?
Have you thought about addressing your claim more clearly?
Have you thought about how to stop any trickery possibilities?
I have suggested some protocol adjustments on the previous page. Maybe you can address them?

 

[Piggy]

I have said for the Zillienth time
I WILL WORK WITH THE JREF TO ASSURE THAT THERE IS NO TRICKERY INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times can I say this.

You only had to say it once.

What you have to do now is listen when we tell you:

1. Just saying it doesn't make it so without some serious specs, which so far you refuse to discuss.

2. It doesn't really matter because you haven't altered your claim, which has already been rejected as untestable.

3. It doesn't matter because even if you succeeded in producing voices on a tape, that is not self-evidently paranormal but would require some kind of human judgment.

My advice, if you're serious here (which many of us have our doubts about) is to talk less, and start listening and answering more.

Bottom line: Rewording a rejected application doesn't turn it into an acceptable application.

 

[Piggy]

That's a great idea! And even to show how fair I can be. I will be willing to ask the same questions that Randi wanted to use when debunking a recent Medium. They are secret questions that I couldn't know. That should remove any doubt! I will use question designed by Randi himself! (Although I do want to ask their name, even if I am seeking Houdini himself)

It wouldn't remove any doubt for me because it's possible to achieve the intended result through trickery as long as the confederate who will produce the voice hears the questions as you read them, either aloud or via some broadcast setup.

 

[The Professor]

Why are you using future tense when you should be using present tense?
October 31st (or is it the 30th) is coming awfully quick this time of year.
Do you think you will be ready on time?
Have you thought about addressing your claim more clearly?
Have you thought about how to stop any trickery possibilities?
I have suggested some protocol adjustments on the previous page. Maybe you can address them?

So you are Nit Picking about the TENSE of a statement that could be taken either way? Is that it? That's all you got? One problem with the tense of a word?
Transparent!

I am jumping through every hoop provided!
I have stated my claim and I am working on getting to the point that no one has any complaints with it. What I claim is a Paranormal Event with me at the center of it. If you can't see that then I question your motives.

Your motives seem suspect when you complain about the 'tense' of a single word.

 

[IMST]

So you are Nit Picking about the TENSE of a statement that could be taken either way? Is that it? That's all you got? One problem with the tense of a word?
Transparent!

That post also contained five questions that you have never answered. So you are Nit Picking about one statement is a long post? Is that it? That's all you got? One complaint with a single statement in the post?

I am jumping through every hoop provided!
I have stated my claim and I am working on getting to the point that no one has any complaints with it. What I claim is a Paranormal Event with me at the center of it. If you can't see that then I question your motives.

There has been exactly one hoop to jump through from the JREF: state a claim that can be tested within the rules of the Challange. You have not jumped through that hoop. Just because you say there will be a Paranormal Event does not make it true. If you are to be tested you will have to state how exactly there will be a self evident paranormal event. If you can't see that then I question your motives.

Your motives seem suspect when you complain about the 'tense' of a single word.

Your motives seem suspect when you refuse to state how your claim is paranormal and how to properly test it.