Skeptic, James Randi Breaks-Off Negotiations on DogsThatKnow Experiment

http://www.pr.com/press-release/84975


Del Mar, CA, May 14, 2008 --(PR.com)-- James Randi has a reputation of taking on challengers who claim psychic abilities, but his recent negotiations with a team of researchers investigating whether dogs are telepathic has ended in a stalemate. According to Skeptiko host and research sponsor, Alex Tsakiris, Randi’s about-face came as a surprise:

“…this is exactly the kind of independent research, by a major university, James Randi has been calling for. We even agreed to forgo the million dollar prize he offers in order to secure his involvement and resolve this question scientifically, but he refused.”

Tsakiris’ negotiations with Randi began in September of 2007, when Randi appeared on the Skeptiko Podcast and called for an independent investigation into claims of canine telepathy. In April of 2008, Skeptiko released a video showing the successful results of their first trial. Commenting on the future of the research, Tsakiris added:

“…of course the research will go forward. The real question is whether claims of unexplained canine to human communications are true. Our preliminary findings suggest they are, but much more work needs to be done before we’ll have a definitive answer.”


more..

There were no "negotiations" to break off. Tsakiris wouldn't put in an application as is required by the terms of the million dollar challenge, and Randi told him, essentially, 'no application, no interest'.

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=113779

http://www.skeptiko.com/blog/?p=9

Care to explain that, SLAD?

the obliviously gullible. It's utterly stupefying how many dupes worship at the alter of rip off artist, spoon bender, Amazin Randi!

It goes all the way to the top with them... including the moderators and administrators. They allow their OCTabots to use personal attacks, but if you reply back to them in the same manner, they delete or move your post while allowing the shill's attack to stand.

As is par for the course with the worst of the OCTabots, they never post any factual, relevant or intelligent information, nor do they include links to back up their assertions. They merely spew their bile and expect everyone to take it as gospel. Sound familiar? The only ones there I've seen anything intelligent out of are AZCat & jberryhill.


Ghost

1+1=2

And, the two posters you mention have made some very good points here.

There is a familiar ring, BTW.

Don't you think it's kind of silly to claim a debunking/critical thinking website "dupes the gullible"? How, exactly. are critical thinkers "gullible"?

several of whom post here and defend him as though he were Jesus Christ or George W. Bush:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=125&topic_id=194011&mesg_id=194011

They're like the reality-challenged moronic 29% of the population who still think George W. is doing a good job.

You've milked this thing to death. No one is forced to donate money to the JREF and it hardly looks like Randi is running a scam. It's also silly to claim it's a cult.

is taking money from gullible fools -- whether or not you claim to heal the sick through the television or give contributors "critical thinking" beanie caps.

Same shit, different scam. Sorry you can't see it if you've bought into it as a mark.

under false pretenses, Hamden? I've been registered there for several years and have never been solicited for a donation.

Speaking of "gullible fools"...

Hey, since when did this become a vanity publishing forum for yourself, HamdenRice?

:eyes:

:spray: :rofl: :rofl:

Don't most have a core group of ardent supporters who turn them into kind of echo chambers that do not necessarily acknowledge the admitted weaknesses of the owners of the site?

in fact, members of a "cult", remind me of RWers I have tangled with who claim that "Logic is a trick".

at this point, you might hurt someone's feelings

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

This post must of really hit a nerve.
Randi and his band of merry misfits has been exposed once again and his blind faithful hang on like rats on a sinking ship

He doesn't, you know. Some people at his forum do.

Randy requires X to get involved in research so he does not lend validity to poorly conducted research. (probably a fairly good idea)
Group Y will not do X
Randy does not get involved.

As I see it pointing this out hardly 'exposes' him. The man is far from perfect but I just don't see this as a good example of a failing.

In fact the less than honest wording in the original article seems to indicate someone else may be exposing their own weaknesses.

1. This is not evidence for or against the OP. It appears the original question is quite strait forward. Randy has specific requirements for his involvement so as not to validate poor research. The researchers in question do not feel like abiding by those rules. It's like complaining about lack of government interest in your work but failing to even apply for grants or sending incomplete or differently formated applications.

2. Having other people worship at your feet or shill for you does not necessarily make it your fault they are doing it.

3. Randy admits he might be wrong. Thats more than many can say. He also has a record of actually debunking many claims. Unless you have specific evidence to suggest these where somehow biased or faked I suggest you take that into account.

:rofl: :rofl:

Tsakris will not submit an application. He is playing a silly game. Randi told him to apply or leave him alone. End of story.

I feel dirty just typing that name. ewwwwww

Plenty of both and we argue politics all the time.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

You should point them out to the moderators in private like the rules tell you to, and stop poisoning the well, SLAD.

Unless there's something you'd like to share with us, mhatRW.

have read very few threads there.