The Psychic Challenge
Application for Status of Claimant
James Randi
This statement outlines the general rules covering my offer concerning psychic,
supernatural or paranormal claims. Since claims will vary greatly in character and scope,
specific rules must be formulated for each applicant. However, all applicants must agree
to the rules set forth here before any formal agreement is entered into. An applicant will
declare agreement by signing this form where indicated before a notary public and
returning the form to me. The eventual test procedure must be agreed upon by both parties
before any testing procedures will take place. We do not act as judges. We do not design
the protocol independently of the claimant. All applicants must identify themselves
properly before any discussion takes place. Due to the large amount of correspondence
exchanged on this subject, all correspondence must include a stamped, self-addressed
envelope or in the case of foreign letters, simply a self-addressed envelope.
(This offer is now administered by The James Randi Educational Foundation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.)
The sum offered is constantly being added to. You may contact the Founda-tion to ask for an update on the current total.
I, James Randi, through the James Randi Educational Foundation, will pay the sum of U.S. $1,100,000 to any person or persons who demonstrate any psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability of any kind under satisfactory observing conditions. Such demonstration must take place under these rules and limitations:
This offer, as of May 1, 1996, is managed and guaranteed by the James Randi Educational Foundation (J.R.E.F.), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Applicant must state clearly in advance, and the applicant and Mr. Randi will agree upon, just what powers or abilities will be demonstrated, the limits of the proposed demonstration (so far as time, location and other variables are concerned) and what will constitute both a positive and a negative result. This is the primary, basic, and most important of these rules.
Only an actual performance of the stated nature and scope within the agreed-upon limits, will be accepted. Anecdotal accounts of previous events are not accepted or considered. We have no interest in theories or explanations of how the claimed powers might work; do not provide us with such material.
Claimant agrees that all data (such as photographic, recorded, written) of any sort gathered as a result of the testing may be used freely in any way Mr. Randi may choose.
Tests will be designed in such a way that no "judging" procedure is required. Results will be self-evident to any observer, in accordance with the rules which will be agreed upon by all parties in advance of any formal testing procedure taking place. No part of the testing procedure may be changed in any way without the express agreement of all parties concerned.
The applicant may be asked and required to perform informally before an appointed representative, if distance and time dictate that need, for purposes of determining if the applicant is likely to perform as promised.
All expenses such as transportation, accommodation and/or other costs incurred by the applicant/claimant in pursuing the reward, are the sole responsibility of the applicant/claimant.
When entering into this challenge, applicant surrenders any and all rights to legal action against Mr. Randi, and against the James Randi Educational Foundation, as far as this may be done by established statutes. This applies to injury, accident or any other damage of a physical or emotional nature and/or financial, or professional, loss of any kind. However, this rule in no way affects the awarding of the prize.
Prior to the commencement of the formal testing procedure, Mr. Randi will give his check for his personal share of the full reward amount (U.S. $10,000) into the keeping of an independent person agreed to by the claimant. In the event that the claimant is successful under the agreed terms and conditions, that personal pledge check of James Randi for U.S. $10,000 shall be immediately surrendered to the claimant by the person holding that check, and within thirty (30) days the James Randi Educational Foundation will pay to the claimant the remainder of the reward ($1,100,000 as of September 11th, 1997). JREF will then set about notifying all the pledgers to forfeit the respective amounts they have promised, to reimburse the Foundation. This offer, with the exception of Mr. Randi's portion, will continue until the year 2001 P.E.
Copies of this document are available free of charge to any person who sends the required stamped, self-addressed envelope requesting it.
This offer is made by James Randi through the JREF, and not on behalf of any other person, agency or organization, though others may become involved in the examination of claims, others may add their reward money to the total in certain circumstances, and the implementation and management of the challenge will be carried out by James Randi via the James Randi Educational Foundation. JREF will not entertain any demand that the prize money be deposited in escrow, displayed in cash, or otherwise produced in advance of the test being performed. JREF will not cater to such vanities.
This offer is open to any and all persons, in any part of the world, regardless of sex, race, educational background, etc., and will continue in effect until the prize is awarded, or until the death of James Randi or the advent of the year 2001 P.E. However, the Randi will and testament states that, upon his death, his personal reward amount of U.S. $10,000 will be held in escrow and in charge of the James Randi Educational Foundation, which agency is then empowered to continue to offer that prize for a period of ten years after said demise, whereupon the reward amount can be used by the Foundation for whatever purpose they desire.
EVERY APPLICANT MUST AGREE UPON WHAT WILL CONSTITUTE A CONCLUSION THAT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE TEST, HE OR SHE DID OR DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THE CLAIMED ABILITY OR POWER.
Please accompany this notarized form with a brief 2-paragraph description of what will constitute the demonstration.
NOTE: No special rules, exceptions, conditions, standards, or favors will be accepted, without mutual agreement of those concerned in advance and any applicant who refuses to agree to meet the rules as outlined here, will not be considered to have ever been a claimant. Only complete agreement with these rules will constitute the applicant being considered a "claimant." Applicant, by signing, notarizing and returning this form, signifies agreement with all of the above rules.
(signed) James Randi
c/o James Randi Educational Foundation
201 S.E. Davie Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1815
USA
Notarized:
______________________________
(signature of claimant)
Please be advised that several claimants have suffered great personal embarrassment after failing these tests. I strongly advise you to conduct proper double-blind tests of any ability you believe you can demonstrate, before attempting to undergo a testing for this prize. This has saved me and many claimants much time and work, by showing that the powers were quite imaginary on the part of the would-be claimant. Please do this, and do not choose to ignore the need for such a precaution.
James Randi
The James Randi Educational Foundation
201 S.E. 12th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1815
(954) 467-1112 (phone)
(954) 467-1660 (fax)
randi@randi.org
http://www.randi.org/index.html
[If Chris Langan is right, his troubles should be over. . . . --KL]