April Fools Day – The Psychic Connection
Allison Mac asked:
For most of us around the world we know April Fools day to be a day of pranks and trickery. It can be great fun to trick someone into believing something that isn’t true. James Randi however takes this one step further and what many may not know is that April Fools day is also the day that the Pigasus Award is announced.
The Pigasus Award has gone as far back as 1979 and is given annually by James Randi who is a noted skeptic of psychic energy. The award seeks to expose paranormal, parapsychological or psychic frauds that have been noted over the previous year. Appropriately given on the first of April, Randi awards the trophy to candidates chosen by himself from a list of nominees.
The trophy has been noted as being a stainless steel spoon bent in a curve and supported by a plastic base. It is flimsy at best and done so on purpose. There is also a plaque with a flying pig on it. Randi has stated sarcastically that the winners are published immediately after being announced on April Fools and are notified telepathically. He has also said that the famous Flying Pig trophies are sent via psychokinesis and if not received then it is probably due to their lack of paranormal talent.
April Fools day may be a day of pranks and laughter for some. For James Randi however it is an opportunity to ridicule some poor unsuspecting person or institution that he feels has promoted fraudulent paranormal claims. To all of us who are believers in psychic energy – beware of the Pigasus award! As an April Fools day joke from Randi, it may telepathically wind up on your doorstep.
Find out who the winners of the 2009 Pigasus Awards are and decide for yourself whether their psychic claims are real or a hoax. A complete list of recipients can be found at YourPsychicResource.
For most of us around the world we know April Fools day to be a day of pranks and trickery. It can be great fun to trick someone into believing something that isn’t true. James Randi however takes this one step further and what many may not know is that April Fools day is also the day that the Pigasus Award is announced.
The Pigasus Award has gone as far back as 1979 and is given annually by James Randi who is a noted skeptic of psychic energy. The award seeks to expose paranormal, parapsychological or psychic frauds that have been noted over the previous year. Appropriately given on the first of April, Randi awards the trophy to candidates chosen by himself from a list of nominees.
The trophy has been noted as being a stainless steel spoon bent in a curve and supported by a plastic base. It is flimsy at best and done so on purpose. There is also a plaque with a flying pig on it. Randi has stated sarcastically that the winners are published immediately after being announced on April Fools and are notified telepathically. He has also said that the famous Flying Pig trophies are sent via psychokinesis and if not received then it is probably due to their lack of paranormal talent.
April Fools day may be a day of pranks and laughter for some. For James Randi however it is an opportunity to ridicule some poor unsuspecting person or institution that he feels has promoted fraudulent paranormal claims. To all of us who are believers in psychic energy – beware of the Pigasus award! As an April Fools day joke from Randi, it may telepathically wind up on your doorstep.
Find out who the winners of the 2009 Pigasus Awards are and decide for yourself whether their psychic claims are real or a hoax. A complete list of recipients can be found at YourPsychicResource.
Skepticism – Disbelieving the Theorists
October 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
John W. Martin asked:
Skepticism – Disbelieving the theorists
http://www.yallways.com
Skepticism – An attitude of doubt towards the veracity of a certain concept. With reference to the paranormal, skeptics make up a significant portion of those who express interest in such phenomena. Skepticism does not refer to those who refuse to believe in the paranormal. Rather, it applies to people who remain unconvinced until presented with adequate proof. Thus, the skeptic’s position is perhaps best summed up by author Carl Sagan who stated, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
Although anyone can experience skepticism, some researchers have made this concept a personal philosophy. They have established themselves as self-proclaimed skeptics and even formed professional communities. The goal of the “scientific skeptic” is not to blindly reject claims, but, rather, to apply reason to every event. Essentially, scientific skepticism involves utilizing critical analysis to confirm or deny claims lacking conclusive support. This field specifically focuses on those phenomena which seem implausible but are accepted by many.
Some skeptics have actually aided the cause of paranormal research. Most notably, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry aims to promote the rational, scientific investigation of paranormal phenomena. The Committee was founded in 1976 by a self-proclaimed scientific skeptic, Paul Kurtz. Since then, it has published articles, organized conferences, produced documentaries, and created a network of researchers devoted to logically evaluating paranormal claims. Topics they have analyzed include UFOs, cryptozoology, psychic abilities, alternative medicine, and astrology.
Another prominent organization is The Skeptics Society, which seeks to use science to counteract the spread of superstition and pseudoscientific theories. The Society conducts its own investigations and sponsors informational lectures. It also publishes Skeptic magazine, which debuted more than fifteen years ago. The magazine boasts approximately 50,000 readers and posts regular podcasts on the internet. Topics of interest to the Society range widely from paranormal claims to conspiracy theories to diet fads.
Some paranormal skeptics have taken on the official role of “debunkers.” These researchers focus specifically on disproving paranormal claims. Rather than conduct objective inquiries, debunkers seek only to expose fallacies within the phenomena they study. Due to their passionate disapproval, debunkers frequently cause debate and controversy. In extreme cases, debunkers neglect to accept evidence which contradicts their beliefs. Such persons are referred to as “pseudoskeptics” and generally meet with disapproval from the greater skeptic community.
Skepticism requires an open mind. It is not the stubborn rejection of ideas, but, rather, a desire to see compelling proof before admitting acceptance. The skeptic will accept any claim that can be confirmed with substantial evidence. Thus, skepticism is a rational approach to inquiry used by many who refuse to accept phenomena for which there is no proof.
Skepticism – Disbelieving the theorists
http://www.yallways.com
Skepticism – An attitude of doubt towards the veracity of a certain concept. With reference to the paranormal, skeptics make up a significant portion of those who express interest in such phenomena. Skepticism does not refer to those who refuse to believe in the paranormal. Rather, it applies to people who remain unconvinced until presented with adequate proof. Thus, the skeptic’s position is perhaps best summed up by author Carl Sagan who stated, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
Although anyone can experience skepticism, some researchers have made this concept a personal philosophy. They have established themselves as self-proclaimed skeptics and even formed professional communities. The goal of the “scientific skeptic” is not to blindly reject claims, but, rather, to apply reason to every event. Essentially, scientific skepticism involves utilizing critical analysis to confirm or deny claims lacking conclusive support. This field specifically focuses on those phenomena which seem implausible but are accepted by many.
Some skeptics have actually aided the cause of paranormal research. Most notably, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry aims to promote the rational, scientific investigation of paranormal phenomena. The Committee was founded in 1976 by a self-proclaimed scientific skeptic, Paul Kurtz. Since then, it has published articles, organized conferences, produced documentaries, and created a network of researchers devoted to logically evaluating paranormal claims. Topics they have analyzed include UFOs, cryptozoology, psychic abilities, alternative medicine, and astrology.
Another prominent organization is The Skeptics Society, which seeks to use science to counteract the spread of superstition and pseudoscientific theories. The Society conducts its own investigations and sponsors informational lectures. It also publishes Skeptic magazine, which debuted more than fifteen years ago. The magazine boasts approximately 50,000 readers and posts regular podcasts on the internet. Topics of interest to the Society range widely from paranormal claims to conspiracy theories to diet fads.
Some paranormal skeptics have taken on the official role of “debunkers.” These researchers focus specifically on disproving paranormal claims. Rather than conduct objective inquiries, debunkers seek only to expose fallacies within the phenomena they study. Due to their passionate disapproval, debunkers frequently cause debate and controversy. In extreme cases, debunkers neglect to accept evidence which contradicts their beliefs. Such persons are referred to as “pseudoskeptics” and generally meet with disapproval from the greater skeptic community.
Skepticism requires an open mind. It is not the stubborn rejection of ideas, but, rather, a desire to see compelling proof before admitting acceptance. The skeptic will accept any claim that can be confirmed with substantial evidence. Thus, skepticism is a rational approach to inquiry used by many who refuse to accept phenomena for which there is no proof.
