We saw a James Randi documentary in chem today.

WritingIsMyReligion

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Wed Oct-03-07 05:47 PM
Original message

We saw a James Randi documentary in chem today.

Edited on Wed Oct-03-07 05:49 PM by WritingIsMyReligion

It was sweet. This guy is great, taking down faith healers, astrolgers, palm readers, and the lot. The best was with Uri Geller, the "psychic" Israeli who claimed to be able to do all sorts of things back in the '70s; when he was jerked around on the Tonight Show at Randi's suggestion, he claimed he wasn't "in the vibe tonight" or some bullshit claim like that to avoid being made a fool of when all his tricks were confiscated and/or derailed.

:thumbsup:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Randi

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:00 PM
Response to Original message

1. Wow. Learning about skepticism and critical thinking

in a science class--thats awesome. And yeah, James Randi is terrific.BTW if you like that stuff, there is a skeptics group on DU and James Randi's JREF is mentioned quite a bit.:)

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LaurenG

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:03 PM
Response to Original message

2. I think Randi is an ignoramus but to each his own

Critical thinking is important all the way across the board.

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ghostsofgiants

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:06 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Why do you think he's an ignoramus?

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LaurenG

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:15 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. Because he believes in nothing. He was once a magician and he

bases all of his thought processes from his own viewpoint rather than examine thoughtfully. He is just as biased as any of those he calls charlatans.

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(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed Oct-03-07 06:22 PM
Response to Reply #4

6. So in other words

skeptics who ask for scientific data for proof of the paranormal instead of just believing in stuff with no empirical evidence are all ignorant? . This is actually how the scientific method works. So in your POV scientists/medical professionals are "ignoramuses" as well?
I just love the scientists/skeptics are closed minded meme (not)
. I believe you said you thought critical thinking was important?

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LaurenG

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:39 PM
Response to Reply #6

9. Don't put words in my mouth turtlensue

I have enough problems with what I really say and mean. I truly don't need your help.

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johnnie

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:16 PM
Response to Original message

5. James Randi is as much as a flim flam man as the flim flam men he takes down

He isn't really THAT impressive. He only takes down the people who are obviously ripping people off. He is doing the same thing that the rip off artists are doing and people fall for his crap. It's good to see schools are wasting time on this shit.

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(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed Oct-03-07 06:24 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. Actually

you would be surprised by how many people beleive in the crap he talks about. Or didn't you notice the popularity of pseudoscientific crapola like the "Secret" in this country?

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johnnie

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:35 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. Well see, I believe in that "crap" because I live with it every day

I wouldn't waste my time with his $1,000,000 bullshit "prize" because he is the typical skeptic that will not ever be satisfied. There will never be enough of their "proof".

You see, there are people who take advantage of people who believe anything and there are people who take advantage of people who believe nothing. He is of the later.

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LaurenG

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:40 PM
Response to Reply #8

10. I hope you are well Johnnie. Chris and I were just wondering how you were doing

:hug:

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johnnie

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:46 PM
Response to Reply #10

12. Thank you

That was really nice of you guys. Things are ok, pretty much the same but oh well. :shrug:

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Mojambo

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Wed Oct-03-07 06:44 PM
Response to Original message

11. One of my heroes. n/t

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