James Randi (1928–2020,) born Randall James Hamilton Zwinge, stage name Amazing Randi, was a stage magician, escapologist, and scientific skeptic. He was best known for exposing those who professed to have certain psychic or spiritual powers, paranormal claims, and pseudoscience.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Randi targeted faith healers, evangelists who claimed spiritual powers, and homeopathic medicine. In 1996, he founded the James Randi Educational Foundation, which suggested a prize of $1 million to anyone who could demonstrate paranormal, otherworldly, or mystical power. The money was never claimed, and the challenge was formally terminated in 2015. A documentary film about Randi, An Honest Liar, was released that year.
Randi was the host of The Randi Show on WOR-Radio, New York City (1966–67) and appeared in many TV documentaries globally. His works include Flim-Flam!: Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions (1982,) The Faith Healers (1987,) The Mask of Nostradamus (1990,) and Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural (1995.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by James Randi
People who are smart get into Mensa. People who are really smart look around and leave.
—James Randi
Topics: Intelligence, Intellectuals
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