Like any other prize-oriented challenge, this one can't be won without adhering to a set of rules. Chief among these rules is that the paranormal ability must be demonstrated under controlled conditions, conditions which both parties (the Foundation and the challenger) must agree upon in advance. According to Randi, as long as the controlled conditions are in place, this challenge needs no selection of impartial judges to determine the outcome. The results will be self-evident — in other words, you can either do what you claim, or you can't.

Sounds reasonable, right? There's more. In April 2007, the JREF issued a new set of rules for the challenge. From now on, they're only considering applicants who have an established media presence and an academic sponsor. Before the new set of rules was issued, the foundation was spending the bulk of its resources weeding out applicants who were at worst mentally ill and at best unable to demonstrate their alleged abilities on even the most rudimentary level. The new rules will also allow the foundation to focus its energy (so to speak) on its primary target: high-profile professional psychics.

It's understandable that the JREF would want to avoid wasting its time on people who wouldn't even pass a preliminary test. It's understandable that they feel that those who garner fame and substantial sums of money in paranormal fields should have to prove themselves worthy. It's even a bit commendable that they'd rather not feed the delusions of the mentally ill. But the new set of rules does one thing that is neither understandable nor commendable: it ensures that the money will stay exactly where it is. The challenge is now targeted towards high-profile, high-earning psychics, but they're the least likely to take up the challenge in the first place. Whether their abilities are genuine or not, why would they risk their reputations and livelihoods for an amount of money that's less than what they already make? People will employ their services and watch their shows and read their books even if they refuse to face James Randi, so why should they?

With the new rules in place, anyone who might be willing to demonstrate paranormal phenomenon cannot even apply.

[Photo by Steve Jurvetson]