Comments on: Those Randi 80s http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:23:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: JB of Brisbane http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139393 JB of Brisbane Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:03:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139393 Does anyone in North America know the story of Mr Randi's appearance on the Don Lane Show here in Oz in the late seventies/early eighties? Don Lane, a tall expat Texan who called Melbourne home used to host a twice-weekly (9:30 PM Mondays and Thursdays) national talk/variety show along the lines of Merv Griffin and similar shows in the U.S. Don was renowned for giving air to woowoos of all descriptions, and also had a semi-regular segment on weird and unusual happenings, presented by Kevin Arnett. It was with this in mind that the Australian Society of Skeptics invited Randi to visit Australia and go on the Don Lane Show, masquerading either as a magician or a psychic. So Don introduced "The Amazing Randi", who did a couple of quick stage magic or mind tricks, then he revealed his real mission as a skeptic. This took Don Lane back a bit, as his guest was not who he said he was, but then Randi mand the mistake of talking about the tricks of people such as Uri Geller or Doris Stokes. Trouble was, Don at the time was very taken with both these people; he had had Geller on the show at least once, and Doris Stokes twice. To Don, Doris Stokes was a kindly old woman with an exceptional gift, which she used to give comfort to people upset by the death of a loved one - and here was this upstart of whom he had never heard, calling her a charlatan and a liar. Well, Don hit the roof. He started yelling all sort of invictive over the top of Randi's attempted explanation, and ended the segment by saying "We're gonna take a break and you can p*** off!!!", sweeping Randi's props off the coffee table onto the floor as he got up. To Don's credit, he apologised for his behaviour on the following show, but he was unshaken in his belief about Mrs Stokes. On a more recent retrospective show, hovever, he at least hinted that he may now be sceptical of Uri Geller. Does anyone in North America know the story of Mr Randi’s appearance on the Don Lane Show here in Oz in the late seventies/early eighties? Don Lane, a tall expat Texan who called Melbourne home used to host a twice-weekly (9:30 PM Mondays and Thursdays) national talk/variety show along the lines of Merv Griffin and similar shows in the U.S. Don was renowned for giving air to woowoos of all descriptions, and also had a semi-regular segment on weird and unusual happenings, presented by Kevin Arnett. It was with this in mind that the Australian Society of Skeptics invited Randi to visit Australia and go on the Don Lane Show, masquerading either as a magician or a psychic. So Don introduced “The Amazing Randi”, who did a couple of quick stage magic or mind tricks, then he revealed his real mission as a skeptic. This took Don Lane back a bit, as his guest was not who he said he was, but then Randi mand the mistake of talking about the tricks of people such as Uri Geller or Doris Stokes. Trouble was, Don at the time was very taken with both these people; he had had Geller on the show at least once, and Doris Stokes twice. To Don, Doris Stokes was a kindly old woman with an exceptional gift, which she used to give comfort to people upset by the death of a loved one – and here was this upstart of whom he had never heard, calling her a charlatan and a liar. Well, Don hit the roof. He started yelling all sort of invictive over the top of Randi’s attempted explanation, and ended the segment by saying “We’re gonna take a break and you can p*** off!!!”, sweeping Randi’s props off the coffee table onto the floor as he got up. To Don’s credit, he apologised for his behaviour on the following show, but he was unshaken in his belief about Mrs Stokes. On a more recent retrospective show, hovever, he at least hinted that he may now be sceptical of Uri Geller.

]]> By: Thomas Siefert http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139306 Thomas Siefert Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:40:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139306 OilISMastery said: "There have been many observations since beginning of the Space Age that prove that pre-Space Age mathematical models are absolute primitive garbage." But quotes from pre-space age scientists and philosophers are valid? You also seem to admire Immanuel Velikovsky (I had a peek at your blog), my friend this is anti-science at its worst. OilISMastery said: “There have been many observations since beginning of the Space Age that prove that pre-Space Age mathematical models are absolute primitive garbage.”

But quotes from pre-space age scientists and philosophers are valid?

You also seem to admire Immanuel Velikovsky (I had a peek at your blog), my friend this is anti-science at its worst.

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139274 Gary Ansorge Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:32:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139274 Oills: Those are dogmatic statements. Show me evidence. I gave up on dogma 52 years ago. GAry 7 Oills:
Those are dogmatic statements. Show me evidence. I gave up on dogma 52 years ago.

GAry 7

]]> By: OilIsMastery http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139242 OilIsMastery Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:47:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139242 To Shawn S., in response to: "Even OilISMastery would have to think someone a loon if they continued to rail against the theory of relativity as ‘fad or fallacy of contemporary science’." You are absolutely correct. Anyone who accuses Einstein of being contemporary is a loon. He was first half of the 20th century and pre-Space Age. The second half of the 20th century was the beginning of the Space Age. There have been many observations since beginning of the Space Age that prove that pre-Space Age mathematical models are absolute primitive garbage. Welcome to the 21st century. To Shawn S., in response to:

“Even OilISMastery would have to think someone a loon if they continued to rail against the theory of relativity as ‘fad or fallacy of contemporary science’.”

You are absolutely correct. Anyone who accuses Einstein of being contemporary is a loon. He was first half of the 20th century and pre-Space Age. The second half of the 20th century was the beginning of the Space Age. There have been many observations since beginning of the Space Age that prove that pre-Space Age mathematical models are absolute primitive garbage. Welcome to the 21st century.

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139216 Gary Ansorge Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:47:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139216 AH, the Randi '80s,,, I remember them well,,, As one Randy old goat said to another, "I stink. Therefore, I ram,,,". (GRA 1998) Sorry. I just couldn't help myself,,, IVAN3MAN: It probably has something to do with the right hemisphere thing,,, GAry 7 AH, the Randi ’80s,,, I remember them well,,,

As one Randy old goat
said to another,
“I stink. Therefore,
I ram,,,”.

(GRA 1998)

Sorry. I just couldn’t help myself,,,

IVAN3MAN:
It probably has something to do with the right hemisphere thing,,,

GAry 7

]]> By: Brett http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139152 Brett Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:15:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139152 Great stuff! I just finished reading 'Flim Flam!' -- everything in it still holds true and it's sad that, despite all of the debunking he does, the silliness of psychics, astrologers, tarot card readers, dowsers, etc, still continues to this day. Great stuff! I just finished reading ‘Flim Flam!’ — everything in it still holds true and it’s sad that, despite all of the debunking he does, the silliness of psychics, astrologers, tarot card readers, dowsers, etc, still continues to this day.

]]> By: IVAN3MAN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139139 IVAN3MAN Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:23:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139139 Has anyone noticed that it is mostly <b>men</b> who believe in UFOs/Chem-trail Conspiracies/Moon Hoax/Electric Universe crap, but mostly <b>women</b> who believe in Psychics/Astrology/Faith Healing/Supernatural crap? Has anyone noticed that it is mostly men who believe in UFOs/Chem-trail Conspiracies/Moon Hoax/Electric Universe crap, but mostly women who believe in Psychics/Astrology/Faith Healing/Supernatural crap?

]]> By: Jamie G. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139132 Jamie G. Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:59:45 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139132 Would someone look at 3:05 in the video and tell me what Randi is doing. He reaches and puts something in his pocket during the key trick, but I'm not sure exactly what he is doing. Would someone look at 3:05 in the video and tell me what Randi is doing. He reaches and puts something in his pocket during the key trick, but I’m not sure exactly what he is doing.

]]> By: Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139127 Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:29:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139127 Yeah, part 2 ended beautifully! It was one of Randi's guys who was the psychic and the ladies were completely fooled! So frakkin' cool! Perfect! I'll bet, however, that the ladies still think it was magic... Yeah, part 2 ended beautifully! It was one of Randi’s guys who was the psychic and the ladies were completely fooled! So frakkin’ cool! Perfect! I’ll bet, however, that the ladies still think it was magic…

]]> By: Maura http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139122 Maura Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:38:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139122 Hey, I was on People Are Talking once as a kid! I realize that's only interesting to me, but I got excited. Hey, I was on People Are Talking once as a kid! I realize that’s only interesting to me, but I got excited.

]]> By: Annette http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139108 Annette Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:57:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139108 Mus said: "Sadly, that figure is a LOT lower…. at least in the US. Are you in the UK?" No Canada.... apparently its just under 10% here. America is above 50%... or so the interwebs tells me. But thats all babies born, not just Christians. I'm sure that is MUCH lower. And thanks for explaining the trick to me - I'm a little slow! lol. Mus said: “Sadly, that figure is a LOT lower…. at least in the US. Are you in the UK?”

No Canada…. apparently its just under 10% here. America is above 50%… or so the interwebs tells me. But thats all babies born, not just Christians. I’m sure that is MUCH lower.

And thanks for explaining the trick to me – I’m a little slow! lol.

]]> By: freelancer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139107 freelancer Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:57:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139107 How apropos, I just received copies of Flim Flam! and Death from the Skies! (the only two books in my library whose titles end in exclamation marks, odd) from Amazon on Wednesday. Here's the companion video to the one BA posted. It is the one that Randi refers to when he says he debunked an individual on "That's my line!" <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QlfMsZwr8rc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QlfMsZwr8rc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> How apropos, I just received copies of Flim Flam! and Death from the Skies! (the only two books in my library whose titles end in exclamation marks, odd) from Amazon on Wednesday.

Here’s the companion video to the one BA posted. It is the one that Randi refers to when he says he debunked an individual on “That’s my line!”

]]> By: Mus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139103 Mus Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:43:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139103 Aww, rats. The quotes didn't work. Good thing there's no preview button, now I can blame it on that! :) Aww, rats. The quotes didn’t work. Good thing there’s no preview button, now I can blame it on that! :)

]]> By: Mus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139102 Mus Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:42:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139102 <quote>“Ok, so if you believe that homosexuality is wrong because of the bible, why are 90% of you Christan men not circumcised?”</quote> Sadly, that figure is a LOT lower.... at least in the US. Are you in the UK? <quote>As for the Randi video… I got ticked off because he didn’t explain the key trick. How is that debunking anything?</quote> If you watch carefully, right after he grabs the key and is saying something about the colored tabs, he "adjusts" his seat. While he does this, he is bending the key. Notice that after that moment, you do not see the full key until the very end. He just slowly uncovers more and more of the key, making it seem as if he was bending it. “Ok, so if you believe that homosexuality is wrong because of the bible, why are 90% of you Christan men not circumcised?”

Sadly, that figure is a LOT lower…. at least in the US. Are you in the UK?

As for the Randi video… I got ticked off because he didn’t explain the key trick. How is that debunking anything?

If you watch carefully, right after he grabs the key and is saying something about the colored tabs, he “adjusts” his seat. While he does this, he is bending the key. Notice that after that moment, you do not see the full key until the very end. He just slowly uncovers more and more of the key, making it seem as if he was bending it.

]]> By: Annette http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139097 Annette Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:13:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139097 The Chemist: Awesome video. I think the best time I ever had in class was with during a religion course in university that I took as one of my non technical electives. You would have thought I kicked them all in the face when I said one thing in the discussion period: "Ok, so if you believe that homosexuality is wrong because of the bible, why are 90% of you Christan men not circumcised?" It was hilarious - we never got to tick people off in class back in my faculty! I had about three fundies jump on me saying that the New Testament explains why all of those things are okay now (nevermind the fact that in the New Testament it still says that a woman should cover her hair). Believe it or not, I'm a Christian too. As for the Randi video... I got ticked off because he didn't explain the key trick. How is that debunking anything? The Chemist: Awesome video. I think the best time I ever had in class was with during a religion course in university that I took as one of my non technical electives. You would have thought I kicked them all in the face when I said one thing in the discussion period:

“Ok, so if you believe that homosexuality is wrong because of the bible, why are 90% of you Christan men not circumcised?”

It was hilarious – we never got to tick people off in class back in my faculty! I had about three fundies jump on me saying that the New Testament explains why all of those things are okay now (nevermind the fact that in the New Testament it still says that a woman should cover her hair).

Believe it or not, I’m a Christian too.

As for the Randi video… I got ticked off because he didn’t explain the key trick. How is that debunking anything?

]]> By: anevilmeme http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139092 anevilmeme Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:57:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139092 James Randi is a treasure. James Randi is a treasure.

]]> By: fluffy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139084 fluffy Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:03:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139084 The video works just fine for me (on Linux) with the caveat that the sound is all coming out of the right speaker. If, for some reason, your computer is only playing the left channel (due to bad speakers) or you are deaf in the right ear or whatever, that would be why it's silent. The video works just fine for me (on Linux) with the caveat that the sound is all coming out of the right speaker. If, for some reason, your computer is only playing the left channel (due to bad speakers) or you are deaf in the right ear or whatever, that would be why it’s silent.

]]> By: Todd W. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139082 Todd W. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:43:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139082 @TheChemist Brilliant. @TheChemist

Brilliant.

]]> By: John Paradox http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139079 John Paradox Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:27:45 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139079 <I>AaronB Says: I can’t hear it, is it me or the video? </I> If you're using FIREFOX, you may have problems with it, but I just switched to using IE TAB and got full level of the audio. J/P=? AaronB Says:
I can’t hear it, is it me or the video?

If you’re using FIREFOX, you may have problems with it, but I just switched to using IE TAB and got full level of the audio.

J/P=?

]]> By: Shawn S. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139076 Shawn S. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:19:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139076 Fad and Fallacies of Contemporary Science == Anything that science says that contradicts my closely guarded delusions and needs for comfort Even OilISMastery would have to think someone a loon if they continued to rail against the theory of relativity as 'fad or fallacy of contemporary science'. After all the evidence is for it is totally solid. But only because it doesn't rub against his need to believe in various pseudoscientific notions. Fad and Fallacies of Contemporary Science == Anything that science says that contradicts my closely guarded delusions and needs for comfort

Even OilISMastery would have to think someone a loon if they continued to rail against the theory of relativity as ‘fad or fallacy of contemporary science’. After all the evidence is for it is totally solid. But only because it doesn’t rub against his need to believe in various pseudoscientific notions.

]]> By: PsyberDave http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139070 PsyberDave Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:54:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139070 Kenneth (If that is your name), There is indeed a clip of James Randi on Happy Days. Have a gander: http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/176-james-randi-on-happy-days.html Kenneth (If that is your name),

There is indeed a clip of James Randi on Happy Days.

Have a gander:

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/176-james-randi-on-happy-days.html

]]> By: My-Name-is-Kenneth http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139066 My-Name-is-Kenneth Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:41:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139066 Anyone remember when Randi was on an episode of Happy Days doing magic? Is there a clip of that bit? Aaaaaaaay - thanks! Anyone remember when Randi was on an episode of Happy Days doing magic?

Is there a clip of that bit?

Aaaaaaaay – thanks!

]]> By: PJE http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139064 PJE Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:37:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139064 Is it me or does Randi look exactly the same as he does now? He is certainly well preserved indeed! Pete Is it me or does Randi look exactly the same as he does now? He is certainly well preserved indeed!

Pete

]]> By: Mus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139063 Mus Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:29:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139063 This is the second part of that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQyxUbIR9fI&feature=PlayList&p=C10B63B9A8F8D3D4&index=1 The end was just too awesome! This is the second part of that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQyxUbIR9fI&feature=PlayList&p=C10B63B9A8F8D3D4&index=1

The end was just too awesome!

]]> By: OilIsMastery http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/comment-page-1/#comment-139062 OilIsMastery Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:25:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/05/those-randi-80s/#comment-139062 TheChemist: Yes. TheChemist: Yes.

]]>