Some Lite Reading

Over at the Guardian, there is an article up about a recent "psychic" preliminary test for the JREF's Million Dollar Challenge. If you've never read about this before, or even if you have; do yourself a favor and go read it. The Update at the bottom of the article should be enlightening. Also, check out the review at Bad Astronomy (linked below) by JREF President Dr. Phil Plait.

Scientists put psychic's paranormal claims to the test by Chris French

The JREF challenge can be traced back to 1964 when arch-sceptic, magician and debunker Randi offered $1,000 of his own money to anyone who could prove a paranormal claim under controlled conditions. Other donors quickly came forward to support Randi's efforts and the total prize available has stood at $1m for many years now. Despite the fact that the world is full of people claiming to possess abilities that defy conventional scientific understanding, only a minuscule proportion of them ever put themselves forward for the challenge. A minuscule proportion of a very large number still amounts to several hundred applicants, of course, but this does raise the question of why the vast majority of psychic claimants shun the challenge altogether. One commonly cited reason is that the challenge is fixed by Randi in such a way that no one would ever be able to claim the prize. True believers in the paranormal often have a deep mistrust of Randi and, indeed, he has been likened to Satan himself on more than one occasion.

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The first volunteer did not choose the reading that had been produced for her. Neither did the second. Or the third. By chance alone, the most likely outcome was for one hit out of ten.

(first seen at BA)