as per a tweet from Penn Jillete.
James Randi was a legend. He famously exposed spiritualist quacks, and was an inspiration to amazing magicians, entertainers and scientists for decades.
He also established The Randi Prize. Anybody who could replicate any paranormal, supernatural or otherwise weird phenomenon under laboratory conditions, ruling out a natural explanation, could claim the prize of $1million. It has never been claimed, but (until recently?) you can read all of the extremely entertaining applications up on his website.
Also, great examples of his work on youtube.
He'll be missed.
Tweet from Penn - (
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When he would lecture on stage at universities, he would take out a bottle of homeopathic sleeping pills he bought in the store, with warning labels all over the bottle. He would then select a student from the audience to join him on stage and be the designated volunteer who would call 911 in case he passed out from overdosing. He would then shock the room by swallowing the entire bottle of pills. They never needed the ambulance, and he always made it through the lecture unaffected.
On a personal note, Randi was heartbroken when his gay partner who was in the country illegally was forced to return to South America. This occurred long before Trump, so the current admin was not responsible.
I just watched a documentary about "The Amazing Randi" - it was great. Never knew he was gay (not that it matters) ... and a strange twist on his partner that was ironic (not that it mattered either).
RIP ...