Before getting down to the challenge, it would be a fair question to ask why I feel so strongly about these matters (implied spirit contact, claims of pseudo-science, and the like), and why I have made my challenge to Jim.
As many of you will know, I have been investigating claims of the paranormal for decades. From a young age, these investigations seemed to go hand in hand with my studies as a magician. This probably stemmed from the fact that I could see the SAME techniques being used by the psychics (that claimed to be genuine), AND MYSELF, (as a magician).
I find it disturbing that in over 30 years of looking I have yet to find ANY EVIDENCE suggesting psychic powers or spirit contacts are possible, let alone performable at will. YET--at the same time I live in a world that seems to accept these things as a given. Turn on the TV, open a magazine, visit a book shop. Duh, what has happened to critical thought?
Please note: I'm not saying that it is impossible for these things to exist, just that I have seen NO EVIDENCE for them in reality (as opposed to "reality TV").
Diane and I lost our son, Jason, in a fishing accident during 2009. Having watched several family members being tempted by the "easy promise of spirit contact" has, no doubt, made me ultra-sensitive to the issue. In fact, it makes my blood boil.
Jim Callahan is a magician. He does have a disclaimer, stating what he does is theater. However, he seems to strongly imply that he does have a special, and paranormal link to a spirit called "Raymond". I don't think he does, and thus the challenge.
By the way, I have included (on the right) a link to the Magic Cafe Website where you can see the challenge in context.
Here's the challenge and the events that have unfurled since:
THE CHALLENGE (Magic Cafe, 28 Dec, 2009 8.19pm):
"Here's what I'll be happy to do: I'll put an object in a box and give $5000 to Jim or anyone who can divine what the object is. The only condition is that there is a SINGLE ATTEMPT and the person selected by you guys to undertake the challenge will allow the results (no matter what they are) to be published in full. So pick your BEST psychic and let me know when you are ready."
THE ACCEPTANCE:
David Koenig (aka: Psychic Samurai) then posted Jim's acceptance at the Magic Cafe at 8.53.pm.
His words: "I called Jim and he accepts your offer."
FURTHER CONFIRMATION:
At The Magic Cafe, (December 29, 2009), Dodd Vickers from MagicNewswire confirmed that discussions were indeed underway with his post:
"I've spoken with Jim and he is indeed interested in this. He and Ben are exchanging emails to work out the details."
You can find Dodd's informative interview with Jim via clicking the MAGICNEWSWIRE image on the right hand panel.
THE DETAILS:
There is a video on the right hand panel of this blog entitled "Harris Debates Geller". Right towards the end, you see Uri "claim control" by putting the host "on the spot" and then claiming the closing moments for himself. We've seen this sort of thing many times in the research of claimed psychics.
However, it cannot be allowed to happen in any rational experiment. (This was TV, so we'll let it pass, but "take note" of it).
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR A SUBJECT TO DEMAND CONTROL OF THE TESTER. (We've seen the disasters that come out of this: remember Taylor, Hasted, Targ, Puthoff, et al).
However, this is EXACTLY what Jim is now trying to do. He's trying to take control.
Firstly. THREE and ONLY THREE emails have been exchanged between Jim and myself.
There will be NO MORE because JIM DEMANDS I MEET HIS CONDITIONS BEFORE I EMAIL HIM AGAIN.
He is also demanding that any information in the emails between ourselves be KEPT SECRET. This information directly relates to the testing protocol, conditions and terms. HOW IN THE NAME OF GENUINE RESEARCH CAN WE KEEP THIS SECRET.
TO REPEAT: Jim asks that I NOT EMAIL HIM AGAIN UNLESS I MEET THESE TERMS.
I think everyone would agree that this is untenable. It is not in the spirit of free-thought, investigation or fair-play.
A REMINDER TO JIM CALLAHAN:
1. It is MY TEST, I'll set the rules (if we ever get that far). Remember, you have agreed to MY TEST.
2. I shall NOT BE TOLD WHAT OR WHERE (see Magic Cafe restriction below) I can publish. It's MY TEST (and every scrap of information shall be available for scrutiny to anyone who is interested).
3. The idea that a fair and legit test could exist with a secret set of emails in the background is not good research policy.
4. A threat to not proceed unless I meet your demands is just not on. REPEAT: A subject DOES NOT control a test.
SO...
As I am no longer permitted to email Jim (BECAUSE I do not accept his terms) then I HAVE NO CHOICE but to request the following information from Jim on a public forum. (Please note that Jim has also asked that I NOT post at The Magic Cafe and post instead at MagicTalk. He either won't or cannot post at The Cafe. But he is a moderator at MagicTalk).
The Questions posed to Jim:
A. What kind of box would you prefer for the experiment, metal or wood?
B. Would you like any salt placed inside along with the target?
C. Is "Raymond" color-blind? Can he distinguish between RED, BLUE and YELLOW?
This is the information I requested from Jim in my two emails to him. They are simple enough questions, and the answers to them will allow the preparation of the test to proceed. I am particularly interested in Jim's answer to Question C.
This webpage has been created to document events as they unfold. JIM, PLEASE POST YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS BY CLICKING THE "COMMENTS" tag below this post..
I ask that no others post a comment OTHER THAN JIM because we need to be precise and not waver off-subject. The full test procedure will be published right here if or when Jim has answered the questions.
Ben Harris
