Open Casting Call for the Geller/Angel show
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bokonon
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I've made myself something of a pest over at the NBC message board for Phenomenon. There's an upcoming competitor, Jim Callahan, who everybody there seems to think is Merlin incarnate. He has the usual boast on his website about how he's all set to win the million dollar challenge (last updated: 2006), but, for some reason, he hasn't gotten around to actually submitting an application. I guess he's been too busy opening stores and doing trade shows.
He boasted on the NBC board less than a week ago that all the skeptics run scared when he threatens to flex his magical muscles, so I've just called his bluff. I suspect he won't be posting again on the NBC message board, but we'll see. I intend to taunt him mercilessly in his absence. I have all kinds of respect for magicians, have read a little Eugene Berger, and don't even mind when a magician adopts a "real psychic" persona, as long as there's a wink to the audience to let them know that it IS still an act.
I enjoy being baffled. I learned a little coin magic myself a few years back, but there are effects that, while I know I could spend a few dollars to learn the secret myself, I prefer to be entertained. Even though I don't know how "The Invisible Deck" works, I've seen what can be done with it, and when I'm watching Criss Angel I'll say to myself, "I'll bet that's how..." without needing to know the details. Even knowing that there is such a thing diminishes my enjoyment a bit, and who needs diminished enjoyment?
Even so, I've seen what people like Sylvia Browne can do with a vulnerable group of true believers. Even though I'd never heard of Jim Callahan before checking out the Phenomenon message board, his website has some ad trying to recruit people who "would like to participate in his shows and experiments after their deaths," so I suspect he's another one of the van Praag, Edwards, Browne grief leeches. Even if he just ignores me, I'm going to have fun.
He boasted on the NBC board less than a week ago that all the skeptics run scared when he threatens to flex his magical muscles, so I've just called his bluff. I suspect he won't be posting again on the NBC message board, but we'll see. I intend to taunt him mercilessly in his absence. I have all kinds of respect for magicians, have read a little Eugene Berger, and don't even mind when a magician adopts a "real psychic" persona, as long as there's a wink to the audience to let them know that it IS still an act.
I enjoy being baffled. I learned a little coin magic myself a few years back, but there are effects that, while I know I could spend a few dollars to learn the secret myself, I prefer to be entertained. Even though I don't know how "The Invisible Deck" works, I've seen what can be done with it, and when I'm watching Criss Angel I'll say to myself, "I'll bet that's how..." without needing to know the details. Even knowing that there is such a thing diminishes my enjoyment a bit, and who needs diminished enjoyment?
Even so, I've seen what people like Sylvia Browne can do with a vulnerable group of true believers. Even though I'd never heard of Jim Callahan before checking out the Phenomenon message board, his website has some ad trying to recruit people who "would like to participate in his shows and experiments after their deaths," so I suspect he's another one of the van Praag, Edwards, Browne grief leeches. Even if he just ignores me, I'm going to have fun.
Same Jim Callahan who occasionally posts on Magic Cafe? (I think that's the forum; it's been a while since I visited there). When he restricts his comments to magical presentation, they're not bad. When he goes off on his "In addition to being a skilled magician I have actual mystical powers" kicks, it gets embarrassing.
Gord_in_Toronto
Penultimate Amazing
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Jim is just using Randi as some kind of publity, he doesn't actually claim psychic powers. He usually hints stuff to be different from other mentalists, but people shouldn't take him too seriously. Here's a little disclaimer from his website.
I am asking those who read this site to remember I am an entertainer, artist & researcher.
Please do not get carried away when viewing and interacting with my work. It is to be an entertaining, surreal diversion.
I am asking those who read this site to remember I am an entertainer, artist & researcher.
Please do not get carried away when viewing and interacting with my work. It is to be an entertaining, surreal diversion.
I am not a psychic nor a medium. I am a Paranormalist.
You are in control of what you believe and do with your life.
Just as I am.
Have fun and enjoy yourselves........
You are in control of what you believe and do with your life.
Just as I am.
Have fun and enjoy yourselves........
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bokonon
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I thought he claimed he talks with a man who's been dead for 25 years using a pendulum. Are you saying the JREF challenge he's posting on his website, where he claims to be all set to win the million dollar challenge, is supposed to be seen as a joke?
Maybe I am taking it too seriously, but over on the NBC site, he's definitely claiming (and has supporters claiming for him, and for themselves) real magical ability. When I mentioned the Robert Houdin quote about magicians being actors playing the part of magicians, he responded that it wasn't correct, and that there's "no need to act, if it's real." I don't mind hearing that from someone presenting an act on the stage, but on a discussion board 5 days before the show, it sure seems like he's going Geller to me.
It probably doesn't matter anyway; I'm about to get booted off the NBC board for repeatedly challenging him to put up or shut up.
Maybe I am taking it too seriously, but over on the NBC site, he's definitely claiming (and has supporters claiming for him, and for themselves) real magical ability. When I mentioned the Robert Houdin quote about magicians being actors playing the part of magicians, he responded that it wasn't correct, and that there's "no need to act, if it's real." I don't mind hearing that from someone presenting an act on the stage, but on a discussion board 5 days before the show, it sure seems like he's going Geller to me.
It probably doesn't matter anyway; I'm about to get booted off the NBC board for repeatedly challenging him to put up or shut up.
Brown
Penultimate Amazing
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I noticed this. It's a "Halloween Special!"
One hour with four lame acts was absurd. Two hours of this tripe might cause my brain to shrink. Thank goodness for the fast-forward button.
Bokonon, that's part of his gimmick, he knows he doesn't have powers. When he says it's real, that's just semantics. Because everything we do is real, doesn't mean it's supernatural. I know it can be annoying when he does it on forums and such, but that's just his way to be different than the other mentalists. Don't waste your time to try and challenge him, it would never happen.
bokonon
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Okay, I understand, and I don't want to get in the way of a man making a living. I suppose talking to one hand-picked dead guy isn't on the same level as claiming to talk to the departed loved ones of anyone who's grieving.
I already posed my challenge over there, and it's already been declined without saying so in so many words (though a couple of people have stepped up to the plate with "I don't have any special powers, but here's my guess anyway"). Thanks for reminding me that "real" can be understood in a couple of different ways. Keeping that in mind will help keep my blood pressure down, and replace my belligerence with good-natured ribbing.
I already posed my challenge over there, and it's already been declined without saying so in so many words (though a couple of people have stepped up to the plate with "I don't have any special powers, but here's my guess anyway"). Thanks for reminding me that "real" can be understood in a couple of different ways. Keeping that in mind will help keep my blood pressure down, and replace my belligerence with good-natured ribbing.
JonWhite
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For us Brits (and others) who didn't have the dubious pleasure of watching the first episode as it aired:
Phenomenon Ep 1
Phenomenon Ep 1
And I'm sure you find it productive to complain about TV entertainment programs and movies too.
How about applying skepticism to more important things, like global warming, medicine, things like that. Not tricks that geeks are going to try to recreate in their parents' basements.
And I'm sure you find it productive to complain about TV entertainment programs and movies too.
How about applying skepticism to more important things, like global warming, medicine, things like that. Not tricks that geeks are going to try to recreate in their parents' basements.
This is the common lament we hear from woos when they are cornered.
Why focus on them? Why not go after the really important guys? Why not save the world (and leave the woos alone, because they can't counter the criticism from skeptics)
You don't get to decide what skeptics investigate, T'ai Chi. Deal with it.
JonWhite
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You can be as sure as you like, but as with your earlier expectation of Randi's response to the show it's really just yet another incorrect assumption on your part.
How about applying skepticism to more important things, like global warming, medicine, things like that. Not tricks that geeks are going to try to recreate in their parents' basements.
Such as applying skepticism to "more important things" like martial arts for example? Yeah, that would really further the debate about "global warming, medicine, things like that" too.
This is a thread in the conjuror's corner. As CF puts so well, deal with it.
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We can already see moaning in the weekly rant (commentary), so your definition of "incorrect" is rather curious.
Such as applying skepticism to "more important things" like martial arts for example? Yeah, that would really further the debate about "global warming, medicine, things like that" too.
In the thread which you bring up as a tangent, I was countering the skepticism of the OP who wonders the point for studying traditional martail arts, not creating my own skepticism of martial arts.
But I would say that martial arts, you know, defending yourself from bad guys in real life, is more important than being uber-skeptical about TV shows and entertainment, lol.
Bob Klase
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I would say that going and and actually doing something about what you consider the big problems (global warming, etc) would be much more effective than arguing with people on a message board. It appears that you're like most people, you want to complain about other people while being free to ignore your own advice.