James Randi / 2: What's The Matter, Folks, Don't You Like Money?

James Randi, a.k.a. The Amazing Randi, magician and author of numerous works skeptical of paranormal claims, offers "a one-million-dollar prize to anyone who can show, under proper observing conditions, evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power." His rules are little more than what any reasonable scientist would require. If you are a mental spoon bender, you can't use your own spoons. If you are going to see auras, you will have to do so under controlled conditions. If you are going to do some remote viewing, you will not be given credit for coming close in some vague way. If you are going to demonstrate your dowsing powers, be prepared to be tested under controlled conditions. If you are going to do psychic surgery or experience the stigmata, expect to have cameras watching your every move. For more information on the James Randi Paranormal Challenge see www.randi.org, or send e-mail to randi@randi.org or snail mail to:

JREF
201 S.E. 12th St (E. Davie Blvd)
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1815
U.S.A.

After collecting the million dollars, successful psychics should contact B. Premanand of the Indian Skeptic, who will pay Rs. 100,000 "to any person or persons who will demonstrate any psychic, supernatural of paranormal ability of any kind undersatisfactory observing conditions." "Mr.Prabir Ghosh willpay Rs. 20,00,000 to anyone who claims to possess supernatural power of any kind and proves the same without resorting to any trick in the location specified by Prabir Ghosh." Also, the Australian Skeptics will throw in an additional $100,000 (Australian), $80,000 for the psychic and $20,000 for anyone "who nominates a person who successfully completes the Australian Skeptics Challenge." If you nominate yourself, and are successful, you get the whole hundred grand. Finally, the Association for Skeptical Inquiry (ASKE), a U.K. skeptic organization, offers £12,000 for proof of psychic powers.

- source: the Skeptics' Dictionary by Robert Todd Carroll. Subscribe to the the SkepDic newsletter: it's free.