A Lucid Proposal For A Preliminary Test

[Mr. Scott]

There's a recipe appearing in my crystal ball

On 5/19 at 4:06 AM NiallM suggested how MP may intend to cheat. Fourteen hours and one minute later MP challenged rule 1:7 "on advice of his attorney" to protect him against legal action from the JREF. Now MP won't agree to a protocol which eliminates a clear avenue of cheating.

My recipe suggestion is for raw mouse, and includes how to catch 'em:

1) Tempt with cheese.
2) When mouse arrives, play until bored.
3) Swallow.

 

[petre]

On 5/19 at 4:06 AM NiallM suggested how MP may intend to cheat. Fourteen hours and one minute later MP challenged rule 1:7 "on advice of his attorney" to protect him against legal action from the JREF. Now MP won't agree to a protocol which eliminates a clear avenue of cheating.

My recipe suggestion is for raw mouse, and includes how to catch 'em:

1) Tempt with cheese.
2) When mouse arrives, play until bored.
3) Swallow.

With the application on the way, it's in JREF's hands now (the matter, not the application ). We've tried to help him prepare for what they may object to, let us hope that it is enough to bring a test.

 

[NiallM]

On 5/19 at 4:06 AM NiallM suggested how MP may intend to cheat. Fourteen hours and one minute later MP challenged rule 1:7 "on advice of his attorney" to protect him against legal action from the JREF. Now MP won't agree to a protocol which eliminates a clear avenue of cheating.

My recipe suggestion is for raw mouse, and includes how to catch 'em:

1) Tempt with cheese.
2) When mouse arrives, play until bored.
3) Swallow.

Sadly, I see similar signs.

Try a gratin with the mouse. A nice Bechamel, with some nutmeg and grated cheddar. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and finish under the grille.

 

[ChristineR]

I may be getting lost in here, but I think that MP has agreed to preset intervals without signals. This eliminates the chance for signalling but does not require the poster to use dictionary words.

 

[Gr8wight]

On 5/19 at 4:06 AM NiallM suggested how MP may intend to cheat. Fourteen hours and one minute later MP challenged rule 1:7 "on advice of his attorney" to protect him against legal action from the JREF. Now MP won't agree to a protocol which eliminates a clear avenue of cheating.

My recipe suggestion is for raw mouse, and includes how to catch 'em:

1) Tempt with cheese.
2) When mouse arrives, play until bored.
3) Swallow.

Am I missing something? I thought Mental Professor had agreed to a fixed interval for revealing cards, and the elimination of commuication between rooms. Hasn't he?

How about this- No 'received' signal has to be sent! I'm given a set time of 3-4 minutes to receive her thoughts. At that point, they start my wife on the next symbol whether I'm ready or not. The need for communication from my room is obviated and there's no risk of counting. This solution should satisfy everyone's concerns!

Am i reading that wrong?

 

[Mr. Scott]

Am I missing something? I thought Mental Professor had agreed to a fixed interval for revealing cards, and the elimination of commuication between rooms. Hasn't he?

Am i reading that wrong?

Ok. Good call. Post #81, which still doesn't eliminate a conventional communication channel from the sender to the receiver. Red flag. Perhaps clock time to initiate sending would eliminate one last wire feeding into the Faraday Cage. We still haven't seen what modifications in his original proposal are really ending up in his official proposal.

I imagine the Challenge Administration most likely would be processing challenge applications in order received, rather than putting MP's to the front of the queue. That would mean a considerable delay before we can watch its official processing.

 

[Mental Professor]

I imagine the Challenge Administration most likely would be processing challenge applications in order received, rather than putting MP's to the front of the queue. That would mean a considerable delay before we can watch its official processing.

How long is the application process taking?
(I have generic ESP, not Precognition ... )

 

[GzuzKryzt]

How long is the application process taking?
(I have generic ESP, not Precognition ... )

Only a JREF Representative can answer this sensible. Mental Professor, I suggest you inquire at [email protected]

 

[NiallM]

How long is the application process taking?
(I have generic ESP, not Precognition ... )

Once again, I applaud your enthusiasm. I really really hope that your application (you've sent it by now, I presume) is handled very quickly. I look forward to a test soon.

You have tested your ability in test conditions, by the way?

 

[Gr8wight]

I imagine the Challenge Administration most likely would be processing challenge applications in order received, rather than putting MP's to the front of the queue. That would mean a considerable delay before we can watch its official processing.

I think a challenge facilitator can handle more than one claim at a time. Kramer certainly did. Of all applications received, some will be rejected immediately, due to being untestable. Some applicants will never be heard from again. Some applicants will have to be coddled and hand-held because they are incapable of understanding what controls are necessary in a good protocol. And some, hopefully like Mental Professor, will proceed promptly. If Kramer Mark II were to handle applications one at a time, and not open another application until the previous one was closed, the process would be interminable.

 

[Mental Professor]

The App. has been mailed

I dropped the application in the mail (DC area) this afternoon so I would expect them to receive it within a week.

You have tested your ability in test conditions, by the way?

I've done demos at the local University.

If any DCMDVA forum posters want a preview, maybe we can get together and give it a try...

 

[GzuzKryzt]

I hope we will see your application soon in the Challenge Application thread.

Best wishes from Germany, Mental Professor.

 

[NiallM]

I dropped the application in the mail (DC area) this afternoon so I would expect them to receive it within a week.

I've done demos at the local University.

If any DCMDVA forum posters want a preview, maybe we can get together and give it a try...

Well best of luck with the application. The demonstrations you mention.. how rigorous were the conditions?

 

[Gr8wight]

Here is another example of Mental Professor's careful choice of words. When asked if he had tested his ability, he replied:

I've done demos at the local University.

Demos. Not tests, but demos. Again, I get the feeling that he is talking about a practised mentalism act that he hopes he can slide by the testers. Somewhere, we are missing a crucial detail. I'm sure Randi will spot it.

 

[Admiral]

I think many members of this forum are a bit too paranoid about this applicant.

I think the argument that many skeptics are using goes as follows:

When someone applies for the Million Dollar Challenge, one of three things must be true:

a)They're telling the truth, and they do have a paranormal ability.
b)They're crazy, or just mistaken.
c)They're lying and intend to cheat.

Now, it is the usual position of skeptics to assume that (a) is false. After all, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,"

In most cases, skeptics just assume the case is (b). We've had many, many kooks on this forum. In the last few months that I've been here, hondaracing, wanderingwtf, john d. maguire, and pepper have made ridiculous claims about the challenge- not to mention people like Interesting Ian and Dr. A. Sheik, who, as far as I can tell, will continue being ridiculous forever.

However, in this case, Mental Professor has had such a rational dialogue and made such a realistic claim (and has been so friendly and reasonable) that most people here wouldn't expect him to be crazy or mistaken. Therefore, they assume he intends to cheat.

This just isn't being fair. Pay attention to the protocol, and look at where opportunities for cheating actually exist. When skeptics say "Anyone who claims to have ESP MUST be lying," they're being just as dogmatic as woos accuse skeptics of being.

I thought for a long time that if someone showed up with a clearly defined claim and a reasonable demeanor and said he intended to apply for the Challenge, the forum could just focus on creating an airtight protocol, not on attacking his integrity. I don't mean to sound condescending, especially since I'm still new here, but I'm a little disappointed.

 

[GroundStrength]

I thought for a long time that if someone showed up with a clearly defined claim and a reasonable demeanor and said he intended to apply for the Challenge, the forum could just focus on creating an airtight protocol, not on attacking his integrity. I don't mean to sound condescending, especially since I'm still new here, but I'm a little disappointed.

I am a mentalist and not a very good one and this IMO this is a advanced two-person telepathy act. Maybe a real good one. Randi will spot the 'cheat' very quickly, if not in the protocol for sure in the act.

 

[Thing]

Just a shot in the dark: Drew, is this you?

 

[Bob Klase]

Nailed it, porch!

When Mental Professor turned the idea of cheating on the test into a joke about cheating on his wife, it was as if all the needles on a lie detector went off the chart.

But what difference does it really make? If he intends to cheat, it's up to JREF to insure that the protocols prevent cheating. If he cheats and succeeds, he wins. Makes no difference whether he admits planning to cheat, plans to cheat and doesn't admit it, or doesn't cheat at all- if he succeeds according to whatever protocol is agreed upon, he still wins.

 

[timokay]

But what difference does it really make? If he intends to cheat, it's up to JREF to insure that the protocols prevent cheating. If he cheats and succeeds, he wins. Makes no difference whether he admits planning to cheat, plans to cheat and doesn't admit it, or doesn't cheat at all- if he succeeds according to whatever protocol is agreed upon, he still wins.

I don't think that this is the case. (let me know if I am wrong)

If an applicant cheats, wins, and gets away with it forever... THEN he wins.

But claiming paranormal ability, and then be proven a fraud via some kind of trickery, is criminal fraud.
(Btw, it is my DREAM to have real laws that prosecute this, putting psychics and frauds in JAIL.)

The challenge is not for magic, or slight of hand, or the best facsimile of paranormal ability. If you claim a paranormal ability, then it is on you to actually present this real ability. If you are found to be cheating, then you are liable to be prosecuted.

Unless I am wrong, which already happened once this year.

 

[Mr. Scott]

Drew Publishes Randi Slam

Just a shot in the dark: Drew, is this you?

That guy Drew Hempel, who may or may not be Mental Professor, published a criticism of Randi on his blog:

The Problem With Magic Randi

The forum may already know about this article, though.