Yellow Bamboo for real?

[Thanz]

From this week's commentary:

Surprise, surprise! A man who visited Bali to test the "Yellow Bamboo" group, who make supernatural claims that they can knock down an attacker just by shouting, has reported to me that he actually fell to the ground during the test! As soon as I get around to looking into this further, I'll give you a full report. This might actually be something….!

Here is my question: Why is he not hopping on a plane right now to go and check this out? IIRC, there has not been anyone who could even pass the preliminary test for the prize. Now, this group that looks absolutely ridiculous manages to pass the preliminary test, and Randi has to "get around to looking into this further"? Shouldn't this be Job #1?

 

[richardm]

I believe you're right that nobody's ever passed a preliminary test - I wonder if this counts as such, or just a quick look to see if there's anything worth testing? Certainly Randi's being quite teasing with his "This could be something" comment!

I'm thinking about a couple of people - the dowser and the little Russian blindfold reader - who were tested by Randi in person. I wonder what stage of the testing process they were at?

 

[Iconoclast]

I'd assumed he meant "fell to the ground laughing".

 

[BillyTK]

I was hoping for gardening tips...
...I'll get me coat.

 

[richardm]

I'd assumed he meant "fell to the ground laughing".

Hmm... you might be onto something there

 

[LeFevre]

From this week's commentary:

Here is my question: Why is he not hopping on a plane right now to go and check this out? IIRC, there has not been anyone who could even pass the preliminary test for the prize. Now, this group that looks absolutely ridiculous manages to pass the preliminary test, and Randi has to "get around to looking into this further"? Shouldn't this be Job #1?

I dont think they took the prelim. Randi mentions a man going and testing the Yellow Bamboo folks, he didn't say it was someone going to overlook a JREF test. Unless I have missed some mention of Randi and Yellow Bamboo getting together for a test, it sounds to me like some guy who went over there and fell to the ground in the Yellow Bamboo "style" of falling.


If they did take it and pass Randi should be there real quick like.

 

[Brown]

The power of the bamboo is well known. James Bond creator Ian Fleming included praise for bamboo in one of his movies. In this movie, men wielding bamboo claimed to be able to make people applaud, cheer, or go daft.

Me ol' bam-boo,
Me ol' bam-boo,
You better never bother with me ol' bam-boo!
You can have me hat or me bumbershoot,
But you better never bother with me ol' bam-boo!!

Lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman, from the movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

When I hear "Bamboo Group," I can't help but think of these folks.

 

[Thanz]

Re: Re: Yellow Bamboo for real?

I dont think they took the prelim. Randi mentions a man going and testing the Yellow Bamboo folks, he didn't say it was someone going to overlook a JREF test. Unless I have missed some mention of Randi and Yellow Bamboo getting together for a test, it sounds to me like some guy who went over there and fell to the ground in the Yellow Bamboo "style" of falling.

If they did take it and pass Randi should be there real quick like.

Here is an excerpt from Randi's July 4, 2003 commentary:

Volunteers needed! After months of back-and-forth, the "Yellow Bamboo" martial arts group has finally agreed to a protocol for a preliminary test re the JREF million-dollar prize. We're now looking for someone in their area to supervise that test. It would take place in Indonesia.

They prefer Singaraja, Bali, but any nearby location should be suitable. They're suggesting 14 July, or if that's not suitable, in the middle of August. Anyone who participates has to join their organization — don't ask me why — but there are no fees or human sacrifices involved.

At least theoretically, the process would be simple. They claim that the "attacker" we choose has to go up to their guy and simply tap him with a bamboo wand, but that he will use his magical powers to knock down the attacker from a distance, without touching him/her.

Anyone available....?

It seems that someone went there on behalf of Randi, as the person went there to test them and then reported back to Randi.

It looks like he found someone for a preliminary test, and they passed. Why isn't he more excited?

 

[Reb]

Re: Re: Re: Yellow Bamboo for real?

Here is an excerpt from Randi's July 4, 2003 commentary:


It seems that someone went there on behalf of Randi, as the person went there to test them and then reported back to Randi.

It looks like he found someone for a preliminary test, and they passed. Why isn't he more excited?

I don't get it ... how do you know he isn't ("more excited", that is)?

Reb

 

[DrMatt]

It looks like... Appearances may be deceiving. Personally, I'd like a chance to attack the headmaster of Yellow Bamboo. Rather than running at him on slippery mud, I'd saunter nonchalantly up to him. What I'd do when within reach depends on what limitations of liability I've negotiated ahead of time.

 

[Thanz]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Yellow Bamboo for real?

I don't get it ... how do you know he isn't ("more excited", that is)?

Reb

I am going by the use of words "as soon as I get around to it". If someone finally passed the preliminary test for the Challenge, I would have thought it would be a priority - not something you will "get around to".

It's like - "I think I won the lottery. When I get around to picking up the check I'll let you know".

 

[Reb]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Yellow Bamboo for real?

I am going by the use of words "as soon as I get around to it". If someone finally passed the preliminary test for the Challenge, I would have thought it would be a priority - not something you will "get around to".

It's like - "I think I won the lottery. When I get around to picking up the check I'll let you know".

Given the final sentence in that paragraph, I suspect you may be reading more into these words than was intended. But of course, I may be wrong as well.

Reb

 

[GroundStrength]

Score one for the chi-huggers.

 

[CFLarsen]

Thanz,

Why don't you simply ask Randi yourself? If he doesn't want to answer you right now, I am sure you will learn the whole story in time.

Until then, your speculations are just....well, speculations. I am sure that you could use your efforts within the realms of a skeptical approach to paranormal phenomena much better than merely...speculating.

We simply don't know. But you could go ahead and ask Randi.

 

[Clancie]

Posted by Thanz

Surprise, surprise! A man who visited Bali to test the "Yellow Bamboo" group, who make supernatural claims that they can knock down an attacker just by shouting, has reported to me that he actually fell to the ground during the test! As soon as I get around to looking into this further, I'll give you a full report. This might actually be something….!

[/B[
Very initeresting! And if a man tested them (was he doing it for JREF? Sounds like it), then wouldn't they be the first to pass the preliminary test?

This underscores--again--the need for documentation of tests and procedures of these paranormal claims in a far more systematic way, than a paragraph or two, without much detail, in "Commentary".

 

[Checkmite]

People are proceeding from the assumption that there's gobs of empty schedule time Randi can use to hop a flight to Indonesia. The preliminary test was scheduled, if preliminary test it were; now, the secondary or formal test must be scheduled in due time. Randi has reservations and appointments to attend meanwhile.

I also expect the next commentary to indicate that the tester fell down "laughing".

 

[Thanz]

Thanz,

Until then, your speculations are just....well, speculations. I am sure that you could use your efforts within the realms of a skeptical approach to paranormal phenomena much better than merely...speculating.

Given some of Randi's responses to other people who have emailed him, I don't think I'll bother. The "Amazing" Randi does not like to be questioned.

And Claus, I love it that you have pointed out my "speculation". This from a man who thinks that it is probable that JE has a mole at a credit card company based on.... well, based on nothing. But my speculation is a problem.

Ok, Claus. Whatever.

 

[CFLarsen]

Given some of Randi's responses to other people who have emailed him, I don't think I'll bother. The "Amazing" Randi does not like to be questioned.

That is not correct. I have several times gotten a very thorough reply. I do realize - and so should you - that time is limited. That does not mean that you should neither give up beforehand or claim that Randi doesn't like to be questioned. Both only shows you are lazy.

And Claus, I love it that you have pointed out my "speculation". This from a man who thinks that it is probable that JE has a mole at a credit card company based on.... well, based on nothing. But my speculation is a problem.

Wrong. The difference is that I actually do something about it. You don't.

Ok, Claus. Whatever.

Fine. You don't want to contact Randi. Why did you start this thread, then?

 

[Thanz]

Wrong. The difference is that I actually do something about it. You don't.

Really? What have you done to prove the credit card mole conspiracy theory?

 

[CFLarsen]

Really? What have you done to prove the credit card mole conspiracy theory?

Nice strawman. I am not out to "prove" a credit card mole conspiracy, I am out to investigate if it is possible and how likely it is.

I have asked people. Found out what information is available online, either for free or for a fee. Spun hypotheses and looked at those. Turned every stone I could imagine would be there. I'm sure there are more.

I can see that I don't need to ask you what you have done regarding investigating the issue of this thread, because you have already answered: Nothing. And you intend to do nothing.