showme2 said:
A scientifically stringent testing, by a reputable authority, not on mediumship, but on psychology, cold reading, and the scientific method, would be a good place to start. A setup where "cheating" would be impossible, and a true result can be garnered. I want a test that, if it were not actually set up by Mr. Randi, or his fellow magicians, then at least one that they would approve of, if they were part of the testing.
Am I saying that Mr. Fry is a fraud? No. I do have an opinion on the matter, but that is not really germane. The fact is, this sort of mediumship can be faked, without too much difficulty.
The reason we go to magicians, such as Randi, or Penn and Teller, to help us set up such tests is because THEY know how to trip up such tests. They know what to look for, you know? Just like casinos hiring card mechanics to help spot other mechanics. Look, when you are buying a diamond ring, you want it appraised, or certified, right? Why? Because you and I and the average Joe on the street cannot tell the difference, just by looking, between a beautiful and valuable diamond, and a cheap zirconium knockoff. You don't want to be ripped off, naturally! That's why we trust to an expert, be he diamond appraiser for our jewelry, an analyst for our stocks, an accountant for our taxes.
A magician is an expert at fooling people. It's his job!
It's possible to fake being a medium, right? Even you have to grant that it's POSSIBLE. Magicians do it all the time. We want Mr. Fry to take the test, because we know we can be fooled. I do NOT want to be fooled with something as important as this.
