Oh no! Not really a surprise, given that he was 92, but a definite loss to our species. Our collective national IQ just took a hit.
Like a lot of people on this thread, his work helped me abandon my early superstitions and illogical beliefs, and showed me the value of a skeptical mind.
Ogdammit, 2020, what’s your problem?
I read the JREF forums for a long time. I loved the million-dollar challenge. You have supernatural powers? Show me in an agreed to demonstration, and the $1 mill is yours. What you aren’t interested? Money has no real value to you? hmm?
I think it did help shut up a lot of fakers who were more prevalent on TV at one time.
He left huge shoes to fill. I hope someone will assume the necessary role of Debunker in Chief. Goodby Randi, you did a great service to truth and reason.
I too wonder who will pick up the guidon and be the celebrity face of rational thinking. Perhaps Penn Gillette?
Seems like the likeliest one.
IIRC, before the reward for anyone demonstrating paranormal activities in a scientific setting was ended, I think I read that Penn & Teller were mentioned as the judges of the trials of the paranormal activities if they took place. Randi acknowledged that he was getting too old to keep an eye for the expected shenanigans from the quacks.
I think Penn and/or Teller would be excellent in that position operating proactively. At this point not many con artists will step forward to be fairly tested. It will take someone(s) with the resources to seek out and expose the flimflammers.
You should read Flim Flam, and then you’ll get it. Sadly even more relevant today than when it was published.
I’m just glad he outlived Sylvia Browne, the psychic on Larry King who I remember telling him to get his heart checked because he had a cardiovascular issue(this was 20 years ago or so). He was, of course, fine and outlived her by quite a bit.
I know it is personal, but could you share the email he wrote you? I’d like to see what he had to say.
Maybe one of the people who knew what the hell a “guidon” is without googling…
That would be anyone going through basic training
I went through basic, I didn’t remember a guidon. Now admittedly it was navy Basic and a 35 years or so ago.
Didn’t know what it meant in that post because I had no idea how it was spelled. Thought it was two words ‘guide on’, and meant any flag used to guide you on to your destination. Sheldon should have done a whole episode on these.
Wow, now that sounds familiar. Doubt I ever saw it spelled out, just heard it a few times.
Long since lost it, I’m afraid. This was 20 years and three email addresses ago. It’s probably on some backup hard drive, somewhere buried in boxes, though.
On a private server? Impeach @GuanoLad!