James Randi
Edited by Brian Dunning
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James Randi has an international reputation as a magician
and escape artist, but today he is best known as the world's
most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal
and pseudoscientific claims. He's also been my favorite guy
for at least 20 years.
In 1996, the James Randi Education Foundation was established
to further Randi's work. Randi's long-standing challenge
to paranormal claimants now stands as a $1,000,000
prize administered by the Foundation. It remains unclaimed.
Since this million dollars is sitting there waiting for anyone
with genuine supernatural powers, Randi finds it hard to
accept that even psychics who claim to labor for the good
of mankind rather than personal gain don't step forward.
The money could easily be given to charity.
Although not the most talkative guy in the world, The Amazing
Randi now answers our 1000 Questions:
0001. In all of history, what is your favorite invention?
The scientific method.
0010. What do you hope will be invented next?
A permanent skin rash for all Internet spammers.
0011. What do you hope will never be invented?
A cure for that rash.
0100. What popular invention do you consider the most
ridiculous?
The Counterfeit Detector Pen.
0101. If marooned on a desert island, what three technological
devices would you bring with you?
A large magnifying lens, a water distiller, and a good
book.
0110. When have you suffered at the hands of technology?
Instant coffee.
0111. When has some technology suffered at your hands?
www.randi.org
1000. If you had to revert and freeze the world's technology
at a particular
time in history, what year would you choose?
20 minutes ago.
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