Famous Psychics and the $1 Million challenge

Not too long ago, the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) appeared on ABC’s Primetime Nightline where some famous psychics put their trickery up on display. It was obvious to most what was going on, the psychics knew before the show who they were doing a reading on, and … gasp … came back with information readily available via google, yet when asked to do a reading for others, declined with some excuse.

The JREF then issued a public challenge to these rather famous fraudsters, to do a proper controlled test, and if they pass, they get to collect $1 million. Its a offer that has been on the table for some time now, and so far all the famous psychics have failed to turn up.  In fact the JREF reports …

Ten years ago this week, infamous U.S. “psychic” Sylvia Browne claimed on national TV that she’d take us up on our challenge. Sylvia must have no faith in her abilities, because all these years since, we’ve been waiting for her to return our calls. James Van Praagh and others have also failed to return calls about the challenge.

Well, apparently a famous Toronto psychic says she’s considering taking up a $1-million challenge to prove her abilities. In a CBCNews interview she said:

“I would say yes, I would take [the] challenge because I have enough faith in my own abilities if I was available, I am the real thing so I don’t have to worry about this stuff.”

Well, the JREF have heard about this and now James Randi himself has replied today…

Nikki, I’ve read in the news that you’ve said you’ll take our Million Dollar Challenge and put your claimed psychic abilities to the test. You told CBC News, “I would say yes” …

You seem to be available for interviews, but so far, we haven’t heard anything from you.

If it’s true that you have faith in your own abilities, follow through and take us up on our challenge. I hope that you do follow through, and aren’t just misleading the media to get your name in the news.

…

You can reach us anytime at +1 (703) 226-3794, or at jref@randi.org,

Be honest now, you know how this will pan out, while all these fraudsters do indeed claim to be able to talk to the dead, the famous ones all appear to be incapable of picking up the phone and talking to the JREF.

Here is an article by another psychic who claims:

It doesn’t matter what … Ontario psychic Nikki provide as proof of their psychic abilities, James Randi will never be satisfied, says Mary Mehan, assistant to Toronto psychic Betsey Balega … Many people have taken him up on his Paranormal Challenge but so far, no one has claimed the money.

It’s an impartial test folks, both parties agree to the terms of the test, and if the test is a success, you collect. The reason nobody has collected is simple, they all failed because there is no such think as psychic ability. Anybody claiming such an ability is either delusional or is conducting fraud.

And to all the psychics out there ready to claim they have real powers, how many fingers am I holding up right now?  Drop your reply into the comments below …Anyone, anybody at all?

Links for more information

• Toronto psychic says she’s considering taking up a $1-million challenge
• James Randi’s personal invite to Nikki to take the test
• CBCNews reports the JREF reply
• The Wikipedia article all about the $1 Million challenge is here.
• The One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge — Official website