Preliminary test, in most cases?

[Mendeli]

In most cases, the applicant will be asked to perform a relatively simple preliminary test of the claim, which if successful, will be followed by the formal test.

In most cases? Wouldn't that be more like in every case so far?

Under what circumstances would someone get to go to the formal test straight away without any preliminary tests?

I can't post link to the exact page where the quoted text is because I don't have 15 posts yet, but its the randi.org/research/index.html

 

[Pope130]

If another FNG can express an opinion about JREF procedures; I would hazard that it would be a case where the paranormal ability would be unambiguous, but untestable. For example, a prediction that an earthquake of specific intensity would hit a specific location on a certain date in the future. If accurate I believe this prediction would meet the criteria for the prize, but would not be susceptible to preliminary testing.

"If it was easy they'd get civilians to do it."

Robert Klaus

 

[Gayle]

I think Randi reserves the right to waive the notarized application or the preliminary test when or if he challenges certain big names in the paranormal, supernatural or peudo-science world.

He recently offered to waive the application process for UK psychic Mia Dolan.

http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43743

I don't know if Randi has ever offered to waive the preliminary test for a big name psychic. My memory isn't that long. Sylvia Brown, maybe?

My guess is that if he hasn't done so already, he might some day waive the prelim test for a Big Name, if he has already figured out the Big Name's tricks. But that's just a guess.


Gayle

 

[OldBlueMoon]

Other requirements waived?

It seems that the Sylvia Browne case has a couple of extra rules relaxed. For example, if Sylvia came up today and said "yes! I'll take the test!" Randi *could* say "Sorry, it has been more than a year, you will have to apply again."

Now wouldn't that look bad? I don't see that 12 month requirement in the information about Sylvia, so I am sure that rule is relaxed in THIS PARTICULAR case.

Now, the guy who wanted it to snow on a certain day didn't have a preliminary test, did he? Randi agreed that if it snowed, he'd get the million (or someone help my memory if I'm wrong). (or, I guess he could have called it the preliminary test after the fact, so he wouldn't have to pay the million right there.)