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Million dollar challenge not ending!

daSkeptic said:
Because he's a troll. You're giving him far too much credit if you think his MDC application was genuine. As with Callahan, he makes a post and suddenly everyone's in a frenzy.
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Bolding mine.Exaggerating much?

Hell, people even follow him to the Magic Cafe just to stay involved. THAT is why it matters to him. He knows he has an effect on people and he enjoys it. It's a power-trip.
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Not a good effect though, and people only "follow him" -if they do-to point out his innacuricies and lies. Laughing at him not with him.
 
Azrael 5 said:
Not a good effect though, and people only "follow him" -if they do-to point out his innacuricies and lies. Laughing at him not with him.
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It doesn't matter. Any response and he wins. Even just me discussing him right now, he wins. If you want him to lose, ignore him. Just be quiet and eventually he'll get bored and go away.
 
Apparently Dr.Colin Ross thinks he can still win it.

And he wants the James Randi Educational Foundation to stop picking on him too. :dig:

DPK Public Relations is a PR firm serving clients in the Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan areas

14-Apr-09 8:00 AM CST

Dr. Colin Ross Expects to Have the Last Laugh,
Accepts Tongue-in-Cheek “Award” from James Randi Educational Foundation
DALLAS, April 14, 2009 –

Noted psychiatrist and author Colin A. Ross, M.D., whose research into a new science and medicine focused on the human body’s electromagnetic field is described in his new book, Human Energy Fields (ISBN-13: 978-0-9821851-0-0), is proving to have a good sense of humor. He has accepted the “Pigasus Award” *) from the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) (www.randi.org) with a smile.

The Pigasus Award is given each year, “To the scientist or academic who said or did the silliest thing related to the supernatural, paranormal or occult.” Dr. Ross’ 2009 Pigasus Award stems from his ability to focus his own electromagnetic field to send a beam of energy from his eyes and make a tone sound out of a speaker. He has applied to the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge administered by the JREF.

The JREF has ridiculed Dr. Ross since he filed his challenge application. James Randi wrote on his web page: “You think you’ve seen every sort of claim that could be thrown at the JREF…. Most have been preposterous, silly, irrational, and/or astonishing. Now we have one that is all of those…Dr. Colin A. Ross.”

“I am not the first unconventional thinker who has had to endure the snickering of cynics and skeptics, so I happily accept this recognition,” said Dr. Ross. “Every significant scientific advance faces resistance, but it is time that the JREF stop ridiculing me and tests the protocol.”

Dr. Ross says his claim is a testable scientific hypothesis for which he has solid evidence. He explains on the Colin A. Ross Institute Web site (www.rossinst.com) that the energy emitted through his eyes is electromagnetic (EM) energy in the 0-40 Hz frequency range with amplitude in the 0-50 micro-volts range. These are the same brain waves that emerge through the skull. Dr. Ross captures this energy with an electrode and neurofeedback equipment. The software plays a tone in response to detecting the EM energy emerging through his eyes.

The JREF has accepted Dr. Ross’ challenge as a claim of the paranormal, insisting that no energy is emitted from the eyes.
Other 2009 Pigasus awardees include the producers of Ben Stein’s film, “Expelled,” and actress Jenny McCarthy for promoting her view that vaccines are contributing to the increase in autism in the United States.

*) The awards are announced via telepathy, winners are allowed to predict their victories, and the Flying Pig trophies are sent via psychokinesis by the James Randi Edicational Foundation: "We send; if they don't receive, that's probably due to their lack of paranormal talent".

Links:
Swift article on Dr. Ross : http://www.randi.org/site/swift-blog/211-swift-august-22-2008.html#i4
Dallas Observer Article 1: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2008/07/does_colin_ross_also_know_wolv.php
Dallas Observer Article 2: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2008/08/colin_ross_has_an_eyebeam_of_e.php
 
NiallM said:
The difference could be that a published ad drags in lots more people with potential liability - including the newspaper itself.
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The newspaper and publisher could easily protect themselves with a simple disclaimer. "Paid advertisement. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect.. ."

If liability worked the way you said, then none of the outlandish claims made in ads, political ads, infomercials and the like would be possible. For example, when the FDA goes after someone for making unsubstantiated claims about a supplement, they don't go after the media used to make those claims.

Further, one local news program here has taken on Sylvia Browne. I would think real journalists would at the very least be sympathetic to JREF in something like this.
 
Roma Hart said:
Apparently Dr.Colin Ross thinks he can still win it.

And he wants the James Randi Educational Foundation to stop picking on him too. :dig:

DPK Public Relations is a PR firm serving clients in the Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan areas

14-Apr-09 8:00 AM CST

Dr. Colin Ross Expects to Have the Last Laugh,
Accepts Tongue-in-Cheek “Award” from James Randi Educational Foundation
DALLAS, April 14, 2009 –

Noted psychiatrist and author Colin A. Ross, M.D., whose research into a new science and medicine focused on the human body’s electromagnetic field is described in his new book, Human Energy Fields (ISBN-13: 978-0-9821851-0-0), is proving to have a good sense of humor. He has accepted the “Pigasus Award” *) from the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) (www.randi.org) with a smile.

The Pigasus Award is given each year, “To the scientist or academic who said or did the silliest thing related to the supernatural, paranormal or occult.” Dr. Ross’ 2009 Pigasus Award stems from his ability to focus his own electromagnetic field to send a beam of energy from his eyes and make a tone sound out of a speaker. He has applied to the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge administered by the JREF.

The JREF has ridiculed Dr. Ross since he filed his challenge application. James Randi wrote on his web page: “You think you’ve seen every sort of claim that could be thrown at the JREF…. Most have been preposterous, silly, irrational, and/or astonishing. Now we have one that is all of those…Dr. Colin A. Ross.”

“I am not the first unconventional thinker who has had to endure the snickering of cynics and skeptics, so I happily accept this recognition,” said Dr. Ross. “Every significant scientific advance faces resistance, but it is time that the JREF stop ridiculing me and tests the protocol.”

Dr. Ross says his claim is a testable scientific hypothesis for which he has solid evidence. He explains on the Colin A. Ross Institute Web site (www.rossinst.com) that the energy emitted through his eyes is electromagnetic (EM) energy in the 0-40 Hz frequency range with amplitude in the 0-50 micro-volts range. These are the same brain waves that emerge through the skull. Dr. Ross captures this energy with an electrode and neurofeedback equipment. The software plays a tone in response to detecting the EM energy emerging through his eyes.

The JREF has accepted Dr. Ross’ challenge as a claim of the paranormal, insisting that no energy is emitted from the eyes.
Other 2009 Pigasus awardees include the producers of Ben Stein’s film, “Expelled,” and actress Jenny McCarthy for promoting her view that vaccines are contributing to the increase in autism in the United States.

*) The awards are announced via telepathy, winners are allowed to predict their victories, and the Flying Pig trophies are sent via psychokinesis by the James Randi Edicational Foundation: "We send; if they don't receive, that's probably due to their lack of paranormal talent".

Links:
Swift article on Dr. Ross : http://www.randi.org/site/swift-blog/211-swift-august-22-2008.html#i4
Dallas Observer Article 1: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2008/07/does_colin_ross_also_know_wolv.php
Dallas Observer Article 2: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2008/08/colin_ross_has_an_eyebeam_of_e.php
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So there are others?
 
Said by and about Dr. Colin Ross,
Roma Hart said:
“I am not the first unconventional thinker who has had to endure the snickering of cynics and skeptics, so I happily accept this recognition,” said Dr. Ross. “Every significant scientific advance faces resistance, but it is time that the JREF stop ridiculing me and tests the protocol.”

Dr. Ross says his claim is a testable scientific hypothesis for which he has solid evidence.
Click to expand...
For a true and pure scientist coming from their own field of respectable work the JREF would not be the first venue to introduce and make public a breakthrough discovery. Why is not Dr. Ross thoroughly researching his breakthrough together with collegues within the field and publishing, testing and verifying his ideas according to the conventional practices in which this is done. The JREF, although in my opinion representing scientific principles and standards, is not a scientific establishment whose purpose is to investigate scientific claims in the way that conventional researchers are already available to do together with Dr. Ross.

It seems that if his discovery is such a true and breakthrough concept, it would be fully possible to first introduce it to the world as is done with science, and then Dr. Ross could bring to the JREF a claim that is already thoroughly researched and verified and I am sure the JREF would be able to acknowledge true and pure science and none of this conflict would take place. You see, Dr. Ross is coming from the science background, with what he introduces as a scientific idea, yet it seems to be not fully researched, proven or established scientifically, and the JREF is not the place to start for a scientist.

It just seems a bit odd to me, that's all. Good luck to Dr. Ross, though. :)

The Professor said:
So there are others?
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There are others, yes. I'm here too. :)
 
Good post:

Roadtoad said:
Originally Posted by The Professor
So there are others?
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'Fraid so. Stupidity and intellectual dishonesty are not the purview of only one person.
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I am always confused when paranormal claimants somehow think they are the first person ever to make such claims.
 
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Well I dont know what's happening on this. I emailed Randi-on another topic-an metioned it but got no answer on that subject.

The interview is published with his quote so hope it's true I don't want suing :D
 
There seems to be a tendency for the JREF staff to remain silent on financial speculation on the JREF Forum.
I can understand this up to a point, but sometimes it seems counterproductive. It's understandable that the small number of staff members may not be up to speed with the forum's speculations, but it's hard to see why JR would say one thing in person , then remain silent generally and not confirm in an email when directly asked . He may have changed his mind again. We are, after all, in a period of financial change and uncertainty for much bigger organisations than JREF.
 
It's really odd that someone makes a claim such as Ross'. Why make a speaker go blip when you might be able to more interesting things such as:
1. assist paralyzed patients
2. be the next generation Wii
3. advance military technology

The range of possibilities is huge and its being wasted on 'beep'? Makes me suspicious.
 
Azrael 5 said:
I met Randi today at Blackpool magician's convention and during an interview with him he told me the great news the challenge is to continue,he hopes forever.
He changed his mind after hearing psychics were cliaming it as a victory of sorts. :)


Just to add he was a very friendly humourous chap! ;)
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So the test is continuing then?
 
Safe-Keeper said:
I wonder how many people the MDC has really convinced. Similar challenges exist to attack things we believe in, and we don't lend them much credence.
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This is probably true, that those who engage in reiki healing etc. and "swear by it" will shrug it off no problem. The great thing about the MDC though is it acts as a powerful lightningrod. I didn't buy talking to the dead, ghosts, UFOS, homeopathy, etc, and was an atheist, long before I ever heard of Randi's million dollar challenge. Then about a year or two ago I read about the challenge which led me to the whole wider movement.
Though I had bad astronomy book marked for... probably seven years, I can't remember, but certainly since well before it was a blog. I just loved the movie/tv reviews, but somehow missed hearing of Randi, or the JREF, until the MDC, which then led to woo I'd never encountered like anti-vax, and the extent of creationism's hold (I'd only ever encountered a few creationists in my life, I had no idea the amount of people that believe that nonsense).

So in that sense I think it's very powerful in drawing skeptics and woo proponents together, and every time one follows along with an open mind and an eye for evidence, a new skeptic is born. :)
 
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The Professor said:
So they are still ending it then?
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You keep asking the wrong people. If you have read this thread, then you know as much as we do. If you'd like to know more, contact someone officially connected with JREF, not just the forum.
 
NobbyNobbs said:
You keep asking the wrong people. If you have read this thread, then you know as much as we do. If you'd like to know more, contact someone officially connected with JREF, not just the forum.
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You're missing the point, Nobby. TP wants to continue his rants and diatribes against JREF, and against the "evil conspiracies" that prevent him from winning the million, because HE WON'T FOLLOW THE RULES AND SUBMIT A RATIONAL PROTOCOL WHICH WILL FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS!

TP thinks he gets some sort of an exemption. He doesn't. And until he figures it out, it won't matter if the challenge is continuing or not. YOU DON'T WIN IT IF YOU DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES!
 
Roadtoad did not go far enough. To get to the preliminary test you need to submit an application that specifies a paranormal thing a person can do. This never happened.
 
So it appears to be a false post made by a member here.
I thought that was what it was!
Thanks for the confirmation!
 
The Professor said:
So it appears to be a false post made by a member here.
I thought that was what it was!
Thanks for the confirmation!
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In case you were planning on submitting this for the MDC, the ability to be wrong almost 100% of the time(as highly unusual as this is for the rest of mankind) will not qualify as a "paranormal event."
 
No, but the notion of the Professor actually managing to get two brain cells functioning in concert just might.

Please keep in mind the Membership Agreement and do not use personal attacks to argue your point.
Replying to this modbox in thread will be off topic  Posted By: Lisa Simpson
 
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Lots of squirming to defend a lost argument and a false statement if you ask me.
Real Critical Thinkers would face the truth wouldn't they?
A statement has been made, and I've said "Prove it!" yet none of you can.
I guess I'm a better Skeptic than all the rest of you!!!!
 
I know the truth, I have witnesses, I have recordings of Randi interview, you Prof are just delusional. As your email to Magicseen truly showed.
Wether Randi has changed his mind since February or spoke in error is no concern to anyone but you. Your opinion counts for a big fat zero.
 
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