• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Hypotetical solution for keeping the MDC

Ron_Tomkins

Satan's Helper
Ron_Tomkins
Joined
Oct 29, 2007
Messages
44,024
Just how insane is the following proposal?

We start a poll (or any kind of quest so to speak) to gather 1 million JREF members and/or people who know about the JREF and the Million Dollar Challenge and we ask each to donate 1 dollar to the JREF.

Technically, from a realistic point of view, studying all of the variables, just how insanely impossible is that?

Technically, what would be the next less-impossible thing? Gather 500.000 and have them donate two dollars? (for example)


Technically... what could begin to qualify as a realistic proposal, following the premises of this hypotetical proposal?.
 
Ron_Tomkins said:
Just how insane is the following proposal?

We start a poll (or any kind of quest so to speak) to gather 1 million JREF members and/or people who know about the JREF and the Million Dollar Challenge and we ask each to donate 1 dollar to the JREF.

Technically, from a realistic point of view, studying all of the variables, just how insanely impossible is that?

Technically, what would be the next less-impossible thing? Gather 500.000 and have them donate two dollars? (for example)


Technically... what could begin to qualify as a realistic proposal, following the premises of this hypotetical proposal?.
Click to expand...

I like the idea...technically.

Do you realise how long it took the JREF to raise 10K for the maintenance of the JREF Forum? Ask the Mod Team for specifics. (And, yes, I did not donate anything.)
 
Last edited:
GzuzKryzt said:
I like the idea...technically.

Do you realise how long it took the JREF to raise 10K for the maintenance of the JREF Forum? Ask the Mod Team for specifics. (And, yes, I did not donate anything.)
Click to expand...


No but that's precisely why I came up with this new variant: We're only talking about specifically 1 dollar each. No more.
 
Ron_Tomkins said:
No but that's precisely why I came up with this new variant: We're only talking about specifically 1 dollar each. No more.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you convince Zeke to shell out the Million? Tell him we have an All-Star player on our roster. He doesn't play D and doesn't mesh with the team or the public but he's an All-Star.
 
If there is a worthy successor for Randi and the Challenge, there will be another donor.
 
GzuzKryzt said:
And you're talking about less than 3000 (I think) registered members.
Click to expand...

Only 99% accurate.
In any one month, about 3,000 people make at least one post on this forum. A much bigger number (125,227 (less the 3,000 above) in Feb 2008) read the forums without posting. For specifics see February 2008 - Google analytics report .

To raise another $1m would take some very generous donations from many people. To do that you will need to go beyond this forum. That, in-self will take a lot of effort.

That is only a start. Then you need some people to actually run the challenge. James Randi thinks the money and effort could be better spent elsewhere, so he is cancelling the prize.
 
The issue with the MDC was not the money so much as the time and efforts required to administer it, which you have not addressed in your proposal.
 
To address the "time and effort" aspect, we could look into forming some sort of Challenge Application Handling Network, where volunteers all around the nation (or world) respond to applications that fit within their areas of expertise.

Though, I wouldn't know the first thing about how to form such a network.

If the issue was purely monetary, I would be willing to donate more than $1 to save the challenge. Alas, there are other issues.

But, I also suspect there will be similar challenges developed by other groups. I think there was one from Australia already, is that correct?
 
I always thought the earnings on the $1 million is what pays for its administration. Has it been a net loser to the JREF?

Other than Randi's own time devoted to answering questions about specific protocols (which I hope is minimal) the question of "time and effort" is really a financial question, isn't it?
 
JoeTheJuggler said:
I always thought the earnings on the $1 million is what pays for its administration. Has it been a net loser to the JREF?

Other than Randi's own time devoted to answering questions about specific protocols (which I hope is minimal) the question of "time and effort" is really a financial question, isn't it?
Click to expand...

If one takes a look at the Challenge e-mail blog, one gets the impression that "time and effort" does not only have the financial implication.

Even the more articulate would-be claimants usually have a very hard time understanding the meaning of:

1. Controlled test or double-blind test.
2. A proper application.
3. Self-evident test results.
4. Proposing a protocol for their claim.
 
Perhaps another way to take care of the "time and effort" aspect would be to make it invitation only. That is, instead of accepting applications from the public, only make it available to specific people challenged to take it.

That way we can still rub the challenge in the faces of the big names in bunk, while not wasting our time with small fries.
 
wowbagger, The big names already know that they have no chance of winning, they aren't going to go for that.
 
If I may chime in, there are a number of similar skeptic organizations that already offer a prize. If the intent is to create one that offers the large amount of $1 million, the simplest path to such would seem an effort to increase the award available with one of the existing programs.

Certainly the first step would be to identify which would be the best candidate.
 
Wowbagger said:
Perhaps another way to take care of the "time and effort" aspect would be to make it invitation only. That is, instead of accepting applications from the public, only make it available to specific people challenged to take it.

That way we can still rub the challenge in the faces of the big names in bunk, while not wasting our time with small fries.
Click to expand...

Technically, I consider the present MDC to run exactly that route: Media presence, academic support & proper notarization/three affidavits.
 
Opcn said:
wowbagger, The big names already know that they have no chance of winning, they aren't going to go for that.
Click to expand...
If so, then at least the constant reminder that they won't accept challenge, would send a message to the public.

Eventually one of them might crack under the pressure. You never know.

GzuzKryzt said:
Technically, I consider the present MDC to run exactly that route: Media presence, academic support & proper notarization/three affidavits.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that filters out most of the incomprehensible wackos. But, keeping it invitation-only allows the challengers to keep the workload light and flexible. While still having some semblance of a challenge to the woos.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom