A couple of us have been discussion James Randi and "The Challange", so I thought I'd give you a little background.
James Randi emailed after the video posted. He challenged me to apply for the Million Dollar Challenge. I emailed him right back and accepted. Here's the email exchange:
________________________________________
From: James Randi [mailto:randi@randi.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 7:32 AM
To:
alex@skeptiko.com
Subject:
Apply for the JREF's million-dollar prize...
________________________________________
From: Alex Tsakiris [mailto:alex@skeptiko.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 7:58 AM
To: 'James Randi'
Subject: RE:
Let’s do it!
Per our conversion during your interview on Skeptiko (
Skeptiko - Science at the Tipping Point), I think we’re in agreement that “testing” of the dog’s telepathic abilities should be done by qualified researchers.
I’ve contacted Dr. Clive Wynne at the University of Flordia (
Clive Wynne). He’s an animal behavior expert, runs the Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab in Gainsville…and is a self-described, “hard-core skeptic”.
Dr. Wynne has published several books on animal behavior, including a skeptical look at animal cognition titled, Do Animals Think? He’s published in Michael Shermer’s Skeptic magazine as well as many academic journals.
I interviewed Dr. Wynne on Skeptiko. He was very skeptical (and critical) of Rupert Sheldrake’s experiment. You can listen to the interview here:
Skeptiko - Science at the Tipping Point.
Will the results of this research with Dr. Wynne be acceptable to you and JREF?
Regards,
Alex Tsakiris
P.S. I would like to make this and future correspondence public.
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I have yet to get a reply.