The Applicant's Motivation is Made Clear
Kramer,
I made the deadline, and now back to our business.
Comments on JREF protocol revisions follow:
It is wise to substitute the word, "subject" for the word "participant". Though I may comment on them, references to my interpretation of specific Challenge rules by number will not be part of the protocols. In places, even though there is basic agreement, I revised the language so that it is more precise.
Some points of disagreement are based on things that JREF seems to consider "embellishments", or "non-essential factors".
As a writer I know information should be conveyed in few words, but though, "Brevity is the soul of wit," in formal agreements a bit of embellishment might prevent later misunderstandings.
In this regard, Kramer, I have questions you may pass on; like does JREF consider making sure the demonstration platform is level an embellishment or non-essential? What is the response if I demand that no one be allowed to lay a level on the platform, or if I say that a curtain preventing influence of a crooked background would NOT be allowed?
Why are suggested protocols deleted that ostensibly prevent the testee from cheating? I'm bemused. But I suppose, since I did not demand these things, and do not claim mind reading, I shall remain ignorant of the answers.
How many persons?
As many persons as deemed useful by the testee and tester at the site. Does the tester wish to stipulate an absolute number?
By twos these subjects will take places facing one another on each end of a platform. A vertical calibrated scale – “reference scale†– for each person will be provided in each scene, located immediately behind each subject.
Since subjects will be facing one another, the phrase, "...immediately behind each subject." is confusing. From a camera's point of view reference poles placed BESIDE the subjects could be interpreted as being behind them (see rewrite). Actually, I welcome this addition since it now occurs to me that such reference devices will betray any slumping and stretching by subjects who might try to fudge the test.
Rewrite:
By twos these subjects will take places facing one another on each end of a level platform. A vertical calibrated scale - "reference scale" - for each person will be provided in each scene, and be located immediately at each subject's back. The calibration marks on each pole will match a third calibrated rod or tape, and the marks will be an identical distance above the platform surface.
A digital camera will be placed on a tripod at an agreed-upon distance from the ground at the same measured distance from each person.
Still camera? Video camera?
A still camera will be simpler for the purpose of making copies. Digital is fine, however it is wise to immediately check each photo in the LCD screen to confirm a sharp image.
Heel positions will be marked on both ends of the platform and used to measure the distance to the camera.
Pairs of photographs will be taken of each scene in turn. (See next provision.)
What is meant by “each scene� Do these come in pairs?
Each scene means each single photograph. Yes, the subject's photos come in pairs.
After the first picture of each pair of subjects is taken, the subjects will change places on the platform, their posture and positions will be checked, and the shutter will again be tripped. Thus, two consecutive photos will be taken of each pair of subjects, constituting an individual “photo set.â€
If required, several more subjects will undergo the procedure, each pair of subjects producing another photo set.
What does Nelson mean here by “if required�
Kramer, collect the million if you correctly relayed my thoughts!
Unless he suggests that we use only one pair of subjects, of course more than one pair of photos will be taken. Otherwise, why would more than two subjects be needed?
This is covered by the earlier statement regarding how many persons will be required. The, "If required...", sentence is purged from the document.
Neither the testee nor the tester shall take a position on the platform with anyone else (Rule 4)…
What is this reference to Rule 4? It does not apply here.
Part of #4 reads, "...will not interact with the materials used". This is a small difference of opinion that also does not apply here. Does the tester wish to leave the sentence in or take it out (sans reference to Rule 4)? Your choice.
The determining evidence of whether or not people got smaller and larger will be found solely in the photos made by the camera that has been set up.
(No measurements will be physically taken of anyone on the platform to satisfy the tester's requirement that no explanations of how the phenomenon works will be accepted (Rule 2).
Wrong. All the subjects will be measured for height. And, this has nothing to do with Rule 2.
Part of Rule 2, "We have no interest in theories or explanations of how the claimed powers might work." Measuring subjects on the platform AND on the photos will demonstrate a paradox that may demand a theory or explanation for which JREF says it has no interest.
This provision will read;
Height measurements will be physically taken of all subjects who appear on the platform.
Does this sentence mean that JREF's representative will "interact" with the subjects and material used by mounting the platform to determine their heights one by one with a tape measure, or does it simply reiterate the prior demand that the vertical height reference poles on the platform be used as a measurement, and also the coming demand that such measurements be recorded and be identical in all cases? I suggest removal of this non-essential sentence, or at least a revision for clarity. But if the tester wants to drag out the proceedings, measure away. Perhaps instead: Height measurements will be noted of all subjects against the vertical references on the platform. Of course, this is redundant, so If used here we can eliminate this reference in other places in the document where the same meaning shows up.
Digital copies of the digital storage devices will be prepared on the scene and provided to all participants who wish to have them.
Question: The word participants I assume refers to testee and tester, not subjects? The actual scene, or location of the platform is outdoors in a forest and weather on the day of demonstration is naturally, unpredictable. Does the requirement of copies being prepared on the scene mean at the platform location, or could it be done in the on-site business office? I amend this sentence to read:
Digital RW-only disks and printed copies of the digital storage devices will be prepared on the property of the "Montana Vortex, Inc.", and then provided to all participants who wish to have them.
In prints of each pair of photos, a ruler will be used to measure the same subject, and the position of each subject relative to the calibrated reference scale will be recorded. The actual measurement on the prints of the reference scales in each photo will also be checked, and must be identical in each case. Mention here of the subject's height recorded against the vertical reference is redundant (second paragraph), and therefore non-essential. Which do you wish to let stand? The points of measurement to determine the physical height of each subject in the photos will be from the bottom of the subject's feet to his or her eyes.
The venue for the demonstration will be at the "Montana Vortex, Inc.", which is located 13 miles west of Glacier National Park on Highway 2.
The following is a clean draft of a the proposed full statement of protocols for the demonstration based on the above email discussion.
INCENTIVE:
A large monetary prize offered for something I can do.
MOTIVATION:
In his October 10, 2003 newsletter, James Randi in an article titled, "Oregon No-Vortex" (page 3, paragraph 2), stated, "But the mysterious 'growing person' phenomenon is the one everyone goes away with talking about, because they can carry this one with them in the form of photographs - and would the camera lie? Yes."
INTENT:
I will show that a camera only "lies" when a lie is set before it. Using strict protocols that force a camera to record the truth I will demonstrate that the "mysterious growing person" effect (as well as inanimate objects; like clothing on the person) that are exhibited at some roadside attractions, such as, but not limited to, "The Oregon Vortex, is a true paranormal (not scientifically explainable) occurrence.
PROTOCOLS: (Herein Nick Nelson will be known as, Testee, and the JREF as, Tester)
On the day of the demonstration Testee and Tester will chose volunteer human subjects from among customers who are visiting the "Montana Vortex, Inc.". The amount of people used in the demonstrations will depend on the number of demonstrations agreed upon at the site.
By twos these subjects will take places facing one another on each end of a level platform. A vertically plumb calibrated scale - "reference scale" - for each person will be permanently installed at each end of the platform, which will put them immediately at each subject's back. The calibration marks on each pole will match a third rod or tape of the same calibration, and the marks will be an identical distance above the platform's surface.
A digital still camera will be placed on a tripod at an agreed-upon distance from the ground at the same measured distance from each person.
Heel positions will be marked on both ends of the platform and used to measure the distance to the camera.
After the first picture of each pair of subjects is taken, the subjects will change places on the platform, their posture and positions will be checked, and the shutter will again be tripped. Thus, two consecutive photos will be taken of each pair of subjects, constituting an individual "photo set".
Neither Testee nor Tester will take a position on the platform with anyone else.
The determining evidence of whether or not people changed sizes will be found solely in the photos made by the camera that has been set up.
Photos of subjects who do not measure the same against each calibrated vertical scale will be deleted from the test results. Photos of a subject that registers a height change but his or her partner does not, will be eliminated from the test. (In either of these cases there could have been undetected cheating.)
Digital RW-only disks and printed copies of the digital storage devices will be prepared on the property of the "Montana Vortex, Inc.", and then provided to all participants who wish to have them.
In prints of each pair of photos, a ruler will be used to measure the same subject, and the position of each subject relative to the calibrated reference scale will be recorded. The points of measurement to determine the physical height of each subject in the photos will be from the bottom of the subject's feet to his or her eyes.
The venue for the demonstration will be at the "Montana Vortex, Inc.", which is located 13 miles west of Glacier National Park on Highway 2.
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Dear Mr. Nelson,
Hmmmm...I think I can see fairly clearly where this is going.
In answer to the questions you wrongly assume you will remain ignorant of the answers to, I offer you the following:
The JREF does consider making sure the platform is level to be an essential patrt of the proceedings.
If you demand that no one be allowed to lay level on the platform, we will not accept the protocol, your file will be closed, and your claim will NOT be tested.
As many persons as deemed useful by the testee and tester at the site. Does the tester wish to stipulate an absolute number?
[I[Yes; determing the number of participants is important.
Mr. Nelson, I'm not sure it's worth our time (meaning yours AND ours) to continue if you think you can win the Million Dollars via some form of photographic effect that makes the subject appear to be something other than what it is.
The JREF Challenge is awarded for a demonstration of truly paranormal ability. It is NOT awarded for a photographic demonstration of an illusion. I think you are misunderstanding (or misrepresenting, based upon a clever interpretation of the Challenge rules, which you have demonstrated explicit knowledge of) the very nature of the JREF Challenge.
-Kramer, JREF Paranormal Claims Dept.[/I]
