I posted my thoughts regarding Jim's challenge in the last couple of days over at The Magic Cafe. Thought it would be appropriate for this thread too.
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Jim Callahans Test Protocols
Randi's Response - Swift October 26, 2007
Test to take place in a public entertainment venue & may be televised live.
I can't imagine why, other than for purposes of self promotion. I can't see why the test couldn't be held in an entertainment venue, but my first question to Jim would be does there have to be an audience? Perhaps it could be broadcast online, as was the Rosemary Hunter preliminary challenge? Having said that, considering your test requires the discerning of unknown information, there are far to many ways to transmit information secretly, and I expect that whilst your test would be recorded, it would not be broadcast "live".
Five examiners to control the area of testing.
Randi has agreed. No problem.
If Mr. Randi participates he may not speak with me directly for 12 hours prior to the test or while participating in it.
Randi is not involved in the testing, so this is irrelevant.
I will submit to interviews with Mr. Randi or his representatives at any mutually convenient time prior to the test if it is deemed necessary.
So you'll be required to do some interviews or perhaps have a couple of meetings. So what?
All verbal communications will be recorded.
Randi has agreed to this, so no problem.
Mr. Randi may speak directly to me as soon as test is complete.
He won't be present, so this is again, irrelevant.
Mr. Randi or his representative must bring a cashiers check for $10,000.00 or cash and will immediately hand over said sum in the event I am successful.
Rule number 9, of the 16 rules of the challenge.
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-challenge/challenge-application.html
9. At the formal test, in advance, an independent person will be placed in charge of a personal check from James Randi for US$10,000. In the event that the claimant is successful under the agreed-upon terms and conditions, that check shall be immediately surrendered to the claimant, and within ten days the James Randi Educational Foundation will pay to the claimant the remainder of the reward, for a total of US$1,000,000. One million dollars in negotiable bonds is held by an investment firm in New York, in the "James Randi Educational Foundation Prize Account" as surety for the prize funds. Validation of this account and its current status may be obtained by contacting the Foundation by telephone, fax, or e-mail.
Jim's condition above appears to match one of the challenge rules, so no worries there.
I will have the $5,000.00 in cash and it will be immediately surrendered if I am not successful.
You are not required to put up any money to take the MDC, so we can essentially eliminate this condition.
Judgment to be rendered within 10 minutes of test completion.
Test results must be self evident, and will be known immediately at the completion of the test. If you say you can discern the contents of a locked box and perhaps name a pack of cards and the box is opened to reveal a pack of cards, you win. There is no "judgement" necessary.
Out of Jim's nine conditions, it appears that only one of them is going to be a proverbial stumbling block, and that is condition number one. Jim has said that he will elaborate more over the coming days.
I'm more than willing to give Jim the benefit of the doubt, providing he has the intention of applying for the challenge. However I won't continue to waste my time if it becomes clear that this is merely a game.
I would also like to suggest that people (from both sides of the argument) are a touch more civil towards one another. The personal attacks and snide comments really aren't necessary.
Cheers,
Chris
