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The finalist of the Battle of Psychics Bakhyt Zhumatova believes in her gift without a shadow of a doubt and categorically declares that she will always blindly distinguish an envelope with money from an envelope with simple pieces of paper always, that is, a hundred times out of a hundred attempts. How to check if this is true?
Her colleague, medium Zlata Dmitruk does not make loud statements, but she is sincerely convinced that she sees the souls of the dead and freely communicates with them. Moreover, not when the spirits deign to meet her halfway, but always when she wants it herself. What will you think about, looking into the calm eyes of Zlata Valerievna?
I think that Russia really needs the Randy Foundation.
The Randy Foundation has been known in the US for over 20 years. The foundation, founded by illusionist, TV presenter and science communicator James Randi, is offering a million dollars to anyone who claims supernatural powers, not just words, but deeds. Psychics, parapsychologists, mediums, sorcerers — everyone is invited, the only condition is the demonstration of their gift in a rigorous scientific experiment. About 50 people fill out applications to the Fund every year, but so far, in twenty years, no one has earned a million dollars. Apparently, the negative energy of a scientific experiment turns out to be stronger than the will of the most powerful psychic.
However, how can frail American sorcerers compare with mighty Russian ones? «Battles of psychics», broadcast on central television, gather a huge audience, and the winners of these battles receive huge fees. By the way, in Russia the average level of income increases by profession as follows: the cheapest services are psychologists and psychotherapists working at least nominally in the scientific tradition. Palmists and astrologers take more expensive (they still consider themselves, albeit to an unrecognized, but science). The most expensive services are those of sorcerers and fortune-tellers.
On July 13, a press conference dedicated to the establishment of the Harry Houdini Scientific Prize was held at the press center of the World of News publication. The purpose of the Prize is to draw attention to the problem of the public’s uncritical perception of claims about the existence of so-called paranormal phenomena and superpowers.
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It is clear that only a long road to the USA and poor knowledge of English prevented our sorcerers from receiving millions of dollars in the Randi Foundation, but now these obstacles have been removed: in July 2015, the Harry Houdini Prize was established in Russia, which solves exactly the same tasks. The $1 million prize is awarded to anyone who is the first to demonstrate psychic, supernatural or paranormal abilities in a highly controlled scientific experiment.
Aura vision, communication with spirits, clairvoyance, telepathy, dowsing and other psychic abilities, as well as telekinesis, levitation and all other miracles that contradict the scientific picture of the world — everything can be demonstrated to the Expert Council and get well-deserved money for it, an honest million USD .hey, and even more glory. The Expert Council includes the most authoritative specialists:
- Gelfand Mikhail Sergeevich, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Member of the European Academy.
- Alexander Sergeev, founder of the Club of Science Journalists, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Commission for Combating Pseudoscience, translator of popular science books by Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Leonard Susskind.
- Panchin Alexander Yurievich, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, science journalist.
- Vlasov Denis Vladimirovich, professional magician, member of the Russian Association of Illusionists.
- Asya Kazantseva, science journalist, winner of the Enlightener award for her book How the Brain Makes Us Do Stupid Things.
- Nikolai Fomushin, illusionist and mentalist.
- Alferov Kirill Andreevich, founder of the Society of Skeptics.
- Vodovozov Aleksey Valerievich, scientific journalist, doctor specialization: «Therapy», «Toxicology», medical blogger.
- Sachkov Ilya, founder of the international agency for the prevention and investigation of cybercrime and fraud — Group-IB.
Come, wonderful people! Welcome!
In all seriousness, the Harry Houdini Prize is on a mission to restore respect for science and to help prevent good people from getting brainwashed with stories of miraculous miracles that alone will solve all their problems. What is good for children is no longer appropriate for adults. In my experience, the most difficult clients, the most stupid clients, are those who believe in sorcerers and are ready to turn to fortunetellers. By the way, according to statistics for 2015, 67% of women turned to psychics.
Good? Do we want even more?
Bottom line: the next time you hear fascinating stories about spirits, the evil eye, love spells and lapels, the crown of celibacy and levitation, send everyone here for money. And sincere thanks to Stanislav Nikolsky: a graduate of Sinton and my friend: he was the magician who became the engine of this project that we all need so much.
May the Harry Houdini Prize help Russia!