MY AMAZING VISIT TO THE JAMES RANDI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION IN FORT LAUDERDALE FLORIDA- by CasaRojo
I entered the JREF HQ at 11am March 22, 2009. Mr. Randi and I exchanged pleasantries and he escorted me into his library. He picked up a large brown book and directed my attention to it's spine where I saw that it said Nostradamus. Mr. Randi explained to me that this particular copy was written in 1672. We discussed the physical attributes of the paper, discussed the content a bit and he offered me a seat. --Link to photo of Mr. Randi with the book--> http://www.randi.org/images/gallery/RANDI3.jpg
We discussed everything from George W. Bush to Uri Geller (there is a relation between the two. Uri bent spoons while W bent rationality. In other words, they're both bent, if not twisted-my take not necessarily Mr. Randi's) to the current proliferation of ridiculous paranormal TV shows such as Paranormal State and Door To The Dead. Mr. Randi spoke of his younger days in radio and his relationships with Johnny Carson, Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch Of The West in The Wizard Of Oz), Penn and Teller, Criss Angel and others. We discussed one of his appearances on Oprah's 'Talk Of The Town' in the early eighties and of his exposure of faith healer Peter Popoff as a fraud. We spoke of Carl Sagan and Michael Shermer. And much much more.
Mr. Randi stood up and asked me to choose two books of approximately the same length from his 3000 plus book library. He told me to hold on to my choice of one of the books. He took the other and went to the other side of the library, began to flip through the pages and told me to tell him when to stop. I said stop almost immediately and he stopped on page 111. He then asked me to read the first line of page 111 from the book that I had silently to myself. He asked me to pick a word from that line and remember it. He then took a piece of paper and began to write on it. It looked like gibberish and he admitted that it didn't make sense to him either. He finished writing the word and suggested that maybe it would make more sense if it were turned upside down. When he turned it around it was the word that I had chosen, 'practitioner'. I asked how he did that and he said "very well I thought" to which I replied "yes, you did". He said I could keep the paper with my chosen word on it and even autographed it at my request.
He then sat back down and I presented several scenarios that I thought may reveal how this amazing magic feat might be accomplished but alas, Mr. Randi would not verify any as accurate.
I asked Mr Randi if I could perform a magic trick for him and he seemed to be genuinely thrilled at the idea. Now, at this point I have to tell you that I know exactly three magic tricks and one is, in actuality, a puzzle. They are however, very good tricks. I pulled out two toothpicks from my pocket and explained that these were totally normal toothpicks that I'd borrowed from the Denny's right up the road and he asked "is one of them going to jump?". I figured that he would know my tricks and of course he did. He took my toothpicks and performed a really neat trick with them and actually showed me how it was done. So now I have exactly four miracles in my humble bag of tricks.
We talked about my one magic card trick and he produced a deck of cards and proceeded to perform an extremely impressive card trick that I cannot begin to relate here. Suffice to say that it was truly amazing. But no, I don't know the secret.
We talked a bit more about the nature of belief and why people, presented with overwhelming evidence still will not let go of 'magical thinking'. He spoke of his Million Dollar Challenge and I asked him how the investment at Goldman Sachs was fairing in this hard hit down turned economy. He said that there was over $1,140,000 in the account, that he'd invested it conservatively. Now, I believe that in a time where many people's portfolios are sitting with major losses that the JRE Foundation is still ahead of the game is amazing in and of itself. The million bucks is still there folks and here's a link to the balance statement as of 1-31-2009--->http://www.randi.org/challenge/goldmansachs.pdf
Take the challenge, prove that you are psychic and you'll be a cool one million dollars richer!
Mr Randi informed me at 1:30pm that he had a radio show to telephone in in 10 minutes so I thanked him and started heading for the front door. Earlier Mr Randi said he'd give me the nickel tour. I said that I actually had as much as a dime to which he replied "I'll give you the nickel tour twice then". As I was walking out the door Mr. Randi asked me if I would return and I said "yes, of course". I don't have much of a choice if I want my tours I suppose. And I do!
My visit to the JREF HQ was one of the more fascinating experiences that I've ever had. And I got to meet and speak with one of the most personable and gracious people on the planet. Mr. James Randi is an amazing human being and I am proud to have had the pleasure of his company for two and a half hours that Sunday. Thank you sir! The Amazing Randi is truly amazing in many ways.
I entered the JREF HQ at 11am March 22, 2009. Mr. Randi and I exchanged pleasantries and he escorted me into his library. He picked up a large brown book and directed my attention to it's spine where I saw that it said Nostradamus. Mr. Randi explained to me that this particular copy was written in 1672. We discussed the physical attributes of the paper, discussed the content a bit and he offered me a seat. --Link to photo of Mr. Randi with the book--> http://www.randi.org/images/gallery/RANDI3.jpg
We discussed everything from George W. Bush to Uri Geller (there is a relation between the two. Uri bent spoons while W bent rationality. In other words, they're both bent, if not twisted-my take not necessarily Mr. Randi's) to the current proliferation of ridiculous paranormal TV shows such as Paranormal State and Door To The Dead. Mr. Randi spoke of his younger days in radio and his relationships with Johnny Carson, Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch Of The West in The Wizard Of Oz), Penn and Teller, Criss Angel and others. We discussed one of his appearances on Oprah's 'Talk Of The Town' in the early eighties and of his exposure of faith healer Peter Popoff as a fraud. We spoke of Carl Sagan and Michael Shermer. And much much more.
Mr. Randi stood up and asked me to choose two books of approximately the same length from his 3000 plus book library. He told me to hold on to my choice of one of the books. He took the other and went to the other side of the library, began to flip through the pages and told me to tell him when to stop. I said stop almost immediately and he stopped on page 111. He then asked me to read the first line of page 111 from the book that I had silently to myself. He asked me to pick a word from that line and remember it. He then took a piece of paper and began to write on it. It looked like gibberish and he admitted that it didn't make sense to him either. He finished writing the word and suggested that maybe it would make more sense if it were turned upside down. When he turned it around it was the word that I had chosen, 'practitioner'. I asked how he did that and he said "very well I thought" to which I replied "yes, you did". He said I could keep the paper with my chosen word on it and even autographed it at my request.
He then sat back down and I presented several scenarios that I thought may reveal how this amazing magic feat might be accomplished but alas, Mr. Randi would not verify any as accurate.
I asked Mr Randi if I could perform a magic trick for him and he seemed to be genuinely thrilled at the idea. Now, at this point I have to tell you that I know exactly three magic tricks and one is, in actuality, a puzzle. They are however, very good tricks. I pulled out two toothpicks from my pocket and explained that these were totally normal toothpicks that I'd borrowed from the Denny's right up the road and he asked "is one of them going to jump?". I figured that he would know my tricks and of course he did. He took my toothpicks and performed a really neat trick with them and actually showed me how it was done. So now I have exactly four miracles in my humble bag of tricks.
We talked about my one magic card trick and he produced a deck of cards and proceeded to perform an extremely impressive card trick that I cannot begin to relate here. Suffice to say that it was truly amazing. But no, I don't know the secret.
We talked a bit more about the nature of belief and why people, presented with overwhelming evidence still will not let go of 'magical thinking'. He spoke of his Million Dollar Challenge and I asked him how the investment at Goldman Sachs was fairing in this hard hit down turned economy. He said that there was over $1,140,000 in the account, that he'd invested it conservatively. Now, I believe that in a time where many people's portfolios are sitting with major losses that the JRE Foundation is still ahead of the game is amazing in and of itself. The million bucks is still there folks and here's a link to the balance statement as of 1-31-2009--->http://www.randi.org/challenge/goldmansachs.pdf
Take the challenge, prove that you are psychic and you'll be a cool one million dollars richer!
Mr Randi informed me at 1:30pm that he had a radio show to telephone in in 10 minutes so I thanked him and started heading for the front door. Earlier Mr Randi said he'd give me the nickel tour. I said that I actually had as much as a dime to which he replied "I'll give you the nickel tour twice then". As I was walking out the door Mr. Randi asked me if I would return and I said "yes, of course". I don't have much of a choice if I want my tours I suppose. And I do!
My visit to the JREF HQ was one of the more fascinating experiences that I've ever had. And I got to meet and speak with one of the most personable and gracious people on the planet. Mr. James Randi is an amazing human being and I am proud to have had the pleasure of his company for two and a half hours that Sunday. Thank you sir! The Amazing Randi is truly amazing in many ways.
