Sam Nicholls holds an MSc in Astrophysics from Leeds University.

James Randi

Dear Mike,

whilst I'm flattered that an article written over ten years ago should still be generating controversy, I have to admit that it is not the most objective piece of work I've ever done and perhaps a little too strong in places - I was pretty angry at the time. I found it sickening that Randi could be allowed to appear in front of millions on TV as a supposedly impartial psychic invesigator conducting "scientific" tests; frankly, Mr Randi does for Psychical Research what Saddam Hussein does for World Peace. Perhaps Norman Pridmore doesn't appreciate that feelings were running pretty high at the time.

I have to agree with some of Norman's points, but not all. The article was of course meant to be polemical rather than scientific and the references were provided in the original piece (though one has to actually read the books to unearth them!). As a matter of fact, I deliberately wrote the article in the style of Randi himself, so Norman's comments about "slurs and misrepresentations" and using "slanted language" and "innuendo" are quite apt - that's exactly how I feel about the quality of Mr Randi's writing. Anyone who doubts this should compare Randi's book on Uri Geller with the comments in "Mind Reach" by Targ & Puthoff or Brian Inglis's views in "The Hidden Power". Norman also has a sound point in discussing the irrelevance of academic qualifications in these matters - I trust he has also noted that Randi and his CSICOP cronies rarely waste an opportunity in flaunting the endorsements they receive from their distinguished academic supporters, even though most of them have done no serious work themselves in this field.

I find it incredible that any knowledgeable person can still take Randi's million-dollar challenge seriously after all these years. Nor can I accept Norman's criticism about my "not providing evidence" or "serious science" - my article was principally about Randi, not about proving this or that - there are approximately 130 years of evidence available.

Regards,

Sam

James Randi - His Amazing Role in the Great Psi Media Circus - an article by Sam Nicholls (1991)

James "The Amazing" Randi - Letter from Michael Roll to Prof. Peter Wadhams, written in December 2001

Professional Wreckers - Two E-mails from Michael Roll to Norman Pridmore of The Freethinker (September 4, 2002)

The Scientific Proof of Life After Death - Pamphlet by Michael Roll

Discussion of Sam Nicholl's article on the JREF Forum