For some years now James Randi's organization, JREF, has offered a $1 million prize to anyone who can prove manifestations of paranormal powers in a controlled setting. Now his organization is changing its approach:
Rather than merely waiting for applicants to present themselves, we will regularly and officially highlight well-known persons in the field and challenge them directly by name. Those challenged will then have a sixth-month period during which they may respond; during that period the JREF will heavily publicize the fact that such a challenge has been issued, we will issue press releases on the matter, and we will be frequently asking that those challenged make a response. Tentatively, we will begin by formally challenging Uri Geller, James Van Praagh, Sylvia Browne, and John Edward, on April 1st.A CHANGE IN APPROACH
For too long now, the JREF has been on the defensive rather than on the offensive. That will be changed as of April 1, when we will begin actively pursuing the possibility of legal actions being brought against prominent figures in the field to investigate whether or not any laws are being broken by false promises to clients, incorrect attributions, accepting fees for services not met, or other deceptive procedures whereby the public has been misinformed and/or taken advantage of. This will include both civil and criminal actions.
We will seek to bring civil lawsuits against offenders, we will inform the Securities Exchange Commission [SEC] of possible infractions in which they might be interested, and we will bring attention to possible violations involving 501(c)3 requirements in the case of claimed religious exemptions.
Which seems to me to be a good idea, philosophical objections to those various laws notwithstanding. I can't think of a reason as to why a fake psychic shouldn't be considered a criminal. If JREF can show those celebrity mediums-psychics-whatever to be earning money via deceptive means, well go get 'em, folks.
