Do you think that the James Randi paranormal challenge’s rules are *too * strict? I realize that very specific guidelines are required in order to try to prove unequivicoly that there is proof of paranormal activity, but I was kind of miffed that they rejected Dr. Drew’s application. (Link is to the Randi MB copy of the application.)
Of course they were well within their rights to reject it, but I would have preferred to have actually seen the entire thing played out. Basically Dr. Drew (of Loveline fame) applied because he believed he may have been able to produce proof of a certain type of ‘marital telepathy’. And in the application he changed one part, that since applicants are forced to promise that they cannot sue Randi, Dr. Drew wanted that same protection.
I can understands both sides of the of the issue here, just wondering what your take on it is.
Oh, and by no way do I mean to rail against the Randi challenge or the man himself. The man is a hero in the world of skepticism, and his challenge goes a long way towards the fight against ignorance.
Wow, this sems strange. Has anyone confirmed that this is actually “Dr. Drew” Pinsky from Loveline? Somone expressed doubt here: Yahoo answers comments
That’s a good point actually, thanks for pointing that out. A couple things:
I jumped to my assumption because the one thing he asked for was protection from being sued. Dr. Drew Pinsky is a celebrity (albiet a small one) so it seems like that’s why he would seek that one change.
And secondly, I guess my small gripe still stands, because this seems like a really well thought out and designed experiment. Unlike a lot of other applicants who really just make you roll your eyes, until they go back into hiding because they can’t even demonstrate HOW to prove they have any paranormal abilities.
I posted a message at the Loveline Companion’s message board. It’s gotten to be a stale place since Adam Carolla left, but maybe someone there will remember hearing Dr. Drew mention something on the air.
I was looking at the JREF forum thread linked from the application and it looks a little bit like they badgered the applicant until he went away. It wasn’t really that rough of a ride, but it does turn into a bit of a circle-jerk and a bit of a pile-on. Of course it’s possible that the applicant always intended to tease them by presenting a fairly lucid application and later walking away, but it seems like there are a few folks on the board there who just can’t help themselves from mocking.