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

[steenkh]

At no time have I considered Envelopes of any kind. That simply screams of a Magicians Trick ... Just like Cards.

The JREF has accepted envelopes before, so if you think you can fool them with an envelope trick, why not give it a try?

The ITC and EVP are looking good. The demonstration on Oct. 31st. should be very convincing.

Very well, we will wait. Though I cannot say that the prospect of seeing a performance where you are in control of every parameter will convince me of anything.

 

[gdnp]

Very well, we will wait. Though I cannot say that the prospect of seeing a performance where you are in control of every parameter will convince me of anything.

Of course not. What it will finally do, however, is demonstrate what psychic ability The Professor believes he can demonstrate, which he has not been able to verbalize despite the length of this thread. Once the ability is demonstrated, we can work on trying to find a way to test it.

 

[Czarcasm]

Thanks for your help.
I am looking forward to taking the Challenge on Oct. 31st
Dave

What "Challenge" are you referring to? You certainly aren't taking the MDC this October 31st. Are you making some sort of presentation this Halloween, and if so, will it be a representation of what you might eventually do if you ever actually took the MDC for real?

 

[RoboTimbo]

This is a Paranormal Event. After all this time I would think you would see the difference, but I guess you don't.

The Protocol will reflect this. I will be emailing the Protocol to Jeff very soon.

This is a magic show. After all this time, everyone sees the difference. We'll wait to see what your proposed protocol says. I hope you've taken some of the suggestions here. Scripting a magic show won't work. It's probably a good thing you have a year to work on it.

Are you sure you don't want to post it here first for some critical analysis? Remember how you thought a claim should be stated?

 

[Marcus]

This is a Paranormal Event. After all this time I would think you would see the difference, but I guess you don't.

The Protocol will reflect this. I will be emailing the Protocol to Jeff very soon.

I will be interested to see it. It will be especially interesting to see if you have absorbed the information that no judging is allowed, the results must be self evident. The alternative would be another attempt to pass off your performance as a challenge( where my money is) but I would love to be wrong.

Listening to recordings involves judgement. Hence the many suggestions on constructing a protocol that doesn't.

 

[not daSkeptic]

You folks seem to have an aversion for someone doing an efficient job.

...<snip>

Once again, you have not answered my question. Why can you not just use the protocol you already have? Why must you research anything? JREF isn't asking for anything you (presumably) have not already done for yourself. You do have an ability that qualifies you for the MDC, right? You have verified this ability for yourself, right? You have eliminated any other explanation for the phenomena, right? So why can't you just tell JREF how you confirmed that?

 

[Azrael 5]

Has Jeff recieved an email yet can anyone confirm?

Edited by chillzero: 

Edited for topic

 

[Pogo]

The Professor says he will submit a protocol soon. But some posts here seem to indicate that he has already submitted one. Is there a previous attempt at a protocol for the preliminary test that the Foundation has rejected? Link?

 

[Azrael 5]

The Professor says he will submit a protocol soon. But some posts here seem to indicate that he has already submitted one. Is there a previous attempt at a protocol for the preliminary test that the Foundation has rejected? Link?

A poster at Magic Cafe has insinuated the Professor has submittted a protocol at some point in time.Can anyone confirm this?

 

[gdnp]

Several weeks (months?) back the Professor submitted a "protocol" that consisted mostly of a list of recording equipment and the text of an incantation that he would recite, with some sort of vague claim that something unexplainable and thus supernatural would happen and presumably be recorded. After dozens--perhaps hundreds--of requests to explain to us exactly what would happen, I for one have no more of a clue than I did 1000 posts ago. I thus check back periodically to see if the Professor has either submitted a protocol, which he has not, or performed a preliminary experiment where his psychic abilities are demonstrated in an uncontrolled environment. He has done neither. Perhaps Halloween, when the psychic forces are strongest...

 

[The Professor]

I have emailed this to Jeff Wagg concerning my claim in response to his last questions. It seems my other posts are being deleted.

Jeff

In order to win the Million I must take my "Best Shot' and that is on Oct. 31st. It has always been a focal point of the Challenge Test.
Also, the place has always been The Devil's Chair in Lake Helen Florida. It has been stated from the very beginning. No alternate time or place has ever been requested or considered.

It seems that members of the JREF MDC Forum have contacted the Lake Helen Police Department in an attempt to discredit me and cause problems with the local authorities, whom I'd already come to an agreement with.

This contact with the Authorities was actually discussed on the JREF Forum.

Do the JREF Forum Members interfere with ALL of the JREF MDC Applicants?

They seem to be ready to celebrate if the Test is denied. Is this some way to deny me my Challenge?

Because of this attempt to sabotage my claim protocol I have had to rewrite it. I've asked others for their help in addition.

I hope to be done by tomorrow morning.

I am looking forward to taking the test on Oct. 31st. at the Devils Chair.

Thanks

David Koenig

 

[chillzero]

I would like to advise that I have approved the last post only because it involves communication with JREF.

Posts in this thread are to be on topic to developing a protocol for the challenge test that The Professor agreed to. Off topic posts are not going to be approved.

 

[The Professor]

Here is the Protocol as directed.


I, David Koenig, will sit on The Devil's Chair in Lake Helen Florida on 10/31/2008 and 10/31/2009

and give the following invocation.

Visions I see, and fleeting deep impressions.
Behind the portal, on the other side,
Lies that which I call home,
For the circle has been well nigh trod
And the end approaches the beginning.

I seek the Way. All ways my feet have trod.
The Way of Fire calls me with fierce appeal.
Naught in me seeks the way of peace;
Naught in me yearns for earth.

Let the fire rage, the flames devour;
Let all the dross be burnt,
And let me enter through that Gate,
And tread the Way of Fire.

From beneath me arises the energy of the Earth,
my home and my foundation;
From above me pours down the
Power of the Light of the Sun and the enchanting Moon;
To my right hand flows
the strength to control and direct, the power of magic;
To my left hand comes
the skill to divine and heal, the source of blessing;
Before me arises
the perfected one I strive to become, my magical true self.
Behind me falls the one I was,
and with it all my discarded failures.
Around me circle the eternal stars,
lamps of wisdom in the deeps of space.
Within me grows the flame of life,
the light of experience and understanding.

Beneath me is the Earth, mother of my physical being.
Above me is my guiding star, shining forever.
Behind me are the memories I'm freeing.
Before me is the light I'll discover.
To my right comes the power of reason.
To my left flows the knowledge of healing.
Around me is the joy of all seasons.
Within me is wisdom revealing.

O Thou Who givest sustenance to the universe,
From Whom all things proceed,
To Whom all things return,
Unveil to us the face of the true Spiritual Sun
Hidden by a disc of golden light,
That we may know the truth
And do our whole duty,
As we journey to Thy sacred feet.

O Faith, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Faith that I AM.
I AM FAITH.

O Strength, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Strength that I AM.
I AM STRENGTH.

O Wisdom, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Wisdom that I AM.
I AM WISDOM.

O Love, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Love that I AM.
I AM LOVE.

O Will, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Will that I AM.
I AM WILL.

O Authority, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Authority that I AM.
I AM AUTHORITY.

O Understanding, awake!
I now place my faith
in the Power of Understanding that I AM.
I AM UNDERSTANDING.

O Enthusiasm, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Enthusiasm that I AM. I AM ENTHUSIASM.

O Imagination, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Imagination that I AM. I AM IMAGINATION.

O Order, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Order that I AM.
I AM ORDER.

O Forgiveness, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Forgiveness that I AM.
I AM FORGIVENESS.

O Life, awake!
I now place my faith in the Power of Life that I AM.
I AM LIFE.

I am a master mind
and all the elements hear my voice and gladly do my will.
Fear and unbelief, which have bound my will,
have been caught and turned aside.
Now my will knows no bounds,
and I have but to speak and it is done.
And it is so!

MAKE MANIFEST!

James Randi himself must be present to represent the James Randi Eductional Foundation's Million Dollar Challenge in Lake Helen at the Devil's Chair. No secondary substitutes should be acceptable since I've signed a contract with James Randi himself and He is the one responsible for the Million Dollar payment.

An AM/FM scanner, white, and pink noise generators are turned on at the same time as several secure recording devices.

The devices will be turned on before the initial Invocation and will be left on for 27 minutes.

During this time the Invocation will be given once again approximately 15 minutes into the test.

I will also ask for a Name, a Place and the Meaning of Life.

The recording instruments will be examined. The tape recordings, and digital recordings will be viewed and listened to.

Since the devices were blank prior to the Invocation the following will be true.

If any evidence is found on the tapes or digital recordings that is NOT SCIENTIFICALLY EXPLAINABLE it will be considered a successful test of the Paranormal.

A prominent and neutral Scientist will be present when the recordings are played. If he or she has a Scientific Explanation for the voices or images on the recordings then the test will be considered a failure.

If the Scientist has NO SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION for the voices or images, then the test will be considered a success.

David Koenig

 

[Startz]

Here is the Protocol as directed.


I, David Koenig, will sit on The Devil's Chair in Lake Helen Florida on 10/31/2008 and 10/31/2009

and give the following invocation.

>snip

James Randi himself must be present to represent the James Randi Eductional Foundation's Million Dollar Challenge in Lake Helen at the Devil's Chair. No secondary substitutes should be acceptable since I've signed a contract with James Randi himself and He is the one responsible for the Million Dollar payment.

An AM/FM scanner, white, and pink noise generators are turned on at the same time as several secure recording devices.

The devices will be turned on before the initial Invocation and will be left on for 27 minutes.

During this time the Invocation will be given once again approximately 15 minutes into the test.

I will also ask for a Name, a Place and the Meaning of Life.

The recording instruments will be examined. The tape recordings, and digital recordings will be viewed and listened to.

Since the devices were blank prior to the Invocation the following will be true.

If any evidence is found on the tapes or digital recordings that is NOT SCIENTIFICALLY EXPLAINABLE it will be considered a successful test of the Paranormal.

A prominent and neutral Scientist will be present when the recordings are played. If he or she has a Scientific Explanation for the voices or images on the recordings then the test will be considered a failure.

If the Scientist has NO SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION for the voices or images, then the test will be considered a success.

David Koenig

Gosh, after all these posts we discover Mr. Koenig has just been having a joke with us all along. He knows that Randi has declined to be present. He knows the contract is with JREF, not Randi.

But it's the part about the test being successful if some particular scientist can't explain what he's seen that confirms Mr. Koenig is joking. That's what we call normal, not paranormal. Paranormal means something we have good reason to believe can't happen by normal methods, not something one person doesn't understand.

But maybe it's "performance art" rather than a joke. I tend to get the two confused.

 

[Doubt]

I will just start with the first three problems I see.

First was identified by Starz. Randi is not required to be present for a valid test to be performed. The Professor does not have a contract with James Randi.

Second is the "protocol" mentions secure recording devices but does not mention the means by which they have been secured or guaranteed to be blank before during and after the test. This is every bit as bad as when the Professor could not clearly state a claim.

Third it violates the challenge rules since it requires some one person to judge the outcome.

Any professional writer involved in this should not have been paid. Anybody with an ounce of common sense could write a better protocol.

 

[RoboTimbo]

Here is the Protocol as directed.


I, David Koenig, will sit on The Devil's Chair in Lake Helen Florida on 10/31/2008 and 10/31/2009

You already know that 10/31/2008 is too late. This protocol won't work as given. It takes back and forth negotiation and that takes time. You knew that, of course.

and give the following invocation.

<thankfully snipped>

James Randi himself must be present to represent the James Randi Eductional Foundation's Million Dollar Challenge in Lake Helen at the Devil's Chair. No secondary substitutes should be acceptable since I've signed a contract with James Randi himself and He is the one responsible for the Million Dollar payment.

Why does James Randi have to be present? You've already been told that he won't be, so why try to include it in your protocol?

An AM/FM scanner, white, and pink noise generators are turned on at the same time as several secure recording devices.

The devices will be turned on before the initial Invocation and will be left on for 27 minutes.

During this time the Invocation will be given once again approximately 15 minutes into the test.

I will also ask for a Name, a Place and the Meaning of Life.

As an aside, the answer to the last is 42.

The recording instruments will be examined. The tape recordings, and digital recordings will be viewed and listened to.

Since the devices were blank prior to the Invocation the following will be true.

If any evidence is found on the tapes or digital recordings that is NOT SCIENTIFICALLY EXPLAINABLE it will be considered a successful test of the Paranormal.

A prominent and neutral Scientist will be present when the recordings are played. If he or she has a Scientific Explanation for the voices or images on the recordings then the test will be considered a failure.

No judgment should be necessary so no scientist should be necessary. Feel free to have one if you like, though.

If the Scientist has NO SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION for the voices or images, then the test will be considered a success.

David Koenig

Starz already explained why that isn't enough. How much did you pay your professional writers and do you feel you got your money's worth?

Would you like some help with develping a protocol that describes a paranormal phenomena?

 

[petre]

Professor, I sincerely wish for you to succeed in your challenge for the million dollars, so I am disappointed when you insist on things certain to end in failure.

You seem to reject the idea that JREF has accepted your application, not Mr. Randi personally and that the test currently being discussed is only the preliminary. No payment will occur until you complete a final challenge. Since the reasons you have given are thus unsount, unless it is your claim that your protocol is unworkable without his presence (which would seem a laugable claim, as you've had no opportunity to test such a constraint) and having already been specificially notified that Mr. Randi will not be present at the preliminary test, to continue to insist on such a requirement can only be viewed as an active attempt to ensure your protocol is never accepted. Please relent this point that has already been rejected, or you will only validate the claims of skeptics that your entire purpose is to fail and then attempt to blame others.

Your protocol, as designed, is also set up for failure. Even assuming the JREF would even think of allowing such a condition to determine success or failure by a judge (they will not, it's even specifically rejected in the challenge FAQ), any qualified neutral scientist could likely think of several scientific explanations for voices appearing on a recording given the near lack of any controls in your performed test. Many have been presented in the posts of this very thread. If such scientific explanations can already be suggested before test has even taken place, what would be the point of even going through the effort? Again, this only reinforces the view that you are doing nothing but attempting to fail.

The following is incomplete, and I am certainly no more an official representative of JREF than you are, but I speak plainly when I say that your protocol WILL NOT be accepted until it physically (not observationally) excludes any scientifically explanable means of getting voices on a recording. If you are uncertain how this can be accomplished, you really do need to contact professionals to assist you in climbing this hurdle, or your protocol negotiation is going to be 11 months of you resubmitting essentially the same protocol and getting rejected.

 

[Doubt]

Second is the "protocol" mentions secure recording devices but does not mention the means by which they have been secured or guaranteed to be blank before during and after the test.

Oh the joys of mangled sentence structure. Should have stated Something along the lines of:

Second is the "protocol" mentions secure recording devices bur does not mention the means by which they are secured before, during and after the test. Also does not mention how they are guaranteed to be blank before the test.

 

[MattC]

In some fairness, these writers have produced a much more coherent version of Mr. Koenig's first protocol, yet the fundamental imbalance with the protocol (that it requires interpretation or subjective judgment, rather flagrantly stated I might add) remains unaddressed. In fact, the refusal to address this rather simplistic issue with the claim seems to be a hallmark of these repeated negotiation proceedings. Getting the claim finished by Friday is probably not possible unless some strong effort is put in to remove this particular concern.

~ Matt

 

[The Professor]

I will just start with the first three problems I see.

First was identified by Starz. Randi is not required to be present for a valid test to be performed. The Professor does not have a contract with James Randi.

Second is the "protocol" mentions secure recording devices but does not mention the means by which they have been secured or guaranteed to be blank before during and after the test. This is every bit as bad as when the Professor could not clearly state a claim.

Third it violates the challenge rules since it requires some one person to judge the outcome.

Any professional writer involved in this should not have been paid. Anybody with an ounce of common sense could write a better protocol.

I am willing to negotiate.

James Randi need not be present as long as the Million Dollars is there in cash or is verified to be paid promptly IN CASH ... Not part of the real estate belonging to the JREF.

Now we are getting closer ... Agree?