Merged The challenge is coming to an end.

Such a shame. We'll no longer be able to say to dowsers and astrologers "you can win a million dollars if you can demonstrate what you say you can do".

But it's Randi's money, and if he feels that he can put it to better use, then more power to him.
 
Lets face it, no-ones ever going to win it. Although I have to admit, 15 minutes of that woman staring at me would have me pissing myself. I am assuming this is being done in consultation with the person putting the money up.
 
Philip said:
Randi announced in the January 4, 2008, SWIFT that the challenge will end in two years so that the money can be spent: http://www.randi.org/joom/content/view/144/1/#i4

I'm dismayed and and commented on on the column. Isn't that against the donor's wishes?
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The donor is fully aware of the change and supports it.

arthwollipot said:
Such a shame. We'll no longer be able to say to dowsers and astrologers "you can win a million dollars if you can demonstrate what you say you can do".

But it's Randi's money, and if he feels that he can put it to better use, then more power to him.
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It is not actually Randi's money... the million dollars was donated to the JREF, not Randi himself.
 
I can see why the JREF is going this way.

(I'll have snide comments after work when I had time to let this sink in.)
 
I feel it's a shame because it's been a fantastic way for me to browbeat woo-woos, but I can understand the imperative Randi feels because said woo-woos often claim that "Randi will rig the tests so that they fail". To date, this has always been a refusal to adhere to a double-blind protocol.
So, when's the massive $1 million blowout party?!;):D
 
RemieV said:
The donor is fully aware of the change and supports it.
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That's good that it wasn't done against the donor's wishes, but I still don't like it.

Will the money be put into investments with higher returns, or is it all going to be spent on various projects? What will be happen to the JREF if the money is all going to be spent? Is this part of a plan to eventually end the JREF upon Randi's retirement?
 
Although I understand the JREFs decision, I think it's a great shame.

Unfortunately, every single potential claimant for the million dollars could now claim that the JREF will never award the cash as they're intending to utilise it themselves in 2010. And despite Randi's earnest protestations to the contrary, I think that's a difficult argument to conclusively refute.

The JREF now has a clear self-interest in ensuring that the money is not won. Whilst I am sure that the organisation has integrity, I think that this decision affects their perceived impartiality.
 
pmckean said:
Although I understand the JREFs decision, I think it's a great shame.

Unfortunately, every single potential claimant for the million dollars could now claim that the JREF will never award the cash as they're intending to utilise it themselves in 2010. And despite Randi's earnest protestations to the contrary, I think that's a difficult argument to conclusively refute.

The JREF now has a clear self-interest in ensuring that the money is not won. Whilst I am sure that the organisation has integrity, I think that this decision affects their perceived impartiality.
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I agree. It's understandable, but unfortunate. Although most of us trust the JREF to still play fair, there is now a clear bias that will only put people off from applying. I think it would be far better to stop the challenge now than to waste the next two years with a valid excuse to not to take it.
 
Is James going to spend the money on hookers and coke? Because if he is, I'm going to start working on becoming his best friend... :D
 
Maybe someone else can fill the role, challenge-wise? Is Criss Angel all talk?
 
I predict the million will be spent defending JREF from frivolous lawsuits stemming from the withdrawal of the challenge.
 
I'm pleased to hear this. The MDC was a gimmick and paranormal challenges date back in various incarnations, I believe, more than a hundred years. So, it is most definitely time to move on. Either find another, better gimmick or use the money for tangible, measurable work. I applaud JREF for using its assets for (hopefully!) the purposes of actual education in critical thinking, and not just as a prop for what usually turns out to be a bit of a pantomime. The latest test was severely lacking in dignity and 100% useless as a PR tool or indeed any sort of leverage whatsoever. And the press don't care about the MDC generally, so time to find another way to make a point.
Or, skip making points into the ether and start making a difference that can be measured.

With better PR, I think the MDC could have been more famous than it is, but that takes money and without releasing the million there obviously isn't any money, so...catch 22.

I look forward to seeing what the money will be used for.
 
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