10 most prominent skeptics of the 20th century

Tuesday, January 8. 2008

The Skeptical Inquirer Magazine (by CSICOP) named Ten Outstanding Skeptics of the Century. The names were selected by a poll done by the Fellows of the CSICOP. The list goes like this:

James Randi (no need to introduce)
Martin Gardner, author of book “Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science”
Carl Sagan
Paul Kurtz – the founder of CSICOP and of the magazine
Ray Hyman – professor of psychology, “the leading constructive critic of academic parapsychology research”.
Philip J. Klass – “The Sherlock Holmes of UFOlogy”
Sci-Fi writer Isaac Asimov.
Philosopher Bertrand Russell
Best known magician Harry Houdini
Albert Einstein

So, from the list it is obviously seen that the skeptics themselves consider a magician with no real scientific background (James Randi in the top of the list) over the most prominent scientist of the 20th century (Albert Einstein on 10th spot). Now, how can you consider them to be serious skeptics with such a list?

Discuss this and other posts in the mind-energy.net forum.

in Research at 16:52 | 3 Comments

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I'm not sure how you define "serious skeptic"...but with respect to formal credentials, isn't Randi as qualified as most of the claimants he debunks?

I mean, if you don't need a degree to claim you are Superman, then why should you need one to examine the proof?

#1 Chris Marshall | Martial Development (Homepage) on 2008-01-08 23:59 (Reply)

Jacob, are you just playing dumb? Do you think that after /Time Magazine/ named Albert Einstein the number one "Man of The Century", they were flooded by letters from skeptics saying it should have been James Randi?

Einstein makes the list because of his eminence as a scientist. His skeptical work was otherwise minor.

James Randi is a MacArthur Fellow. He received the so-called "genius grant" in recognition of his work debunking psychic phenomena.

What worries me about the list of top ten skeptics of the century is that Randi, who turns 80 this year, is the youngest of the four still alive.

#2 Bryan Olson on 2008-01-09 05:47 (Reply)

SEE HOW WE CAUSED THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN ATHEISTS, ELLEN JOHNSON,
TO QUIT HER JOB AND HOW WE STOPPED RANDI'S MILLION DOLLAR PARANORMAL
CHALLENGE:

for randi & dawkins and all the so-called "critical thinkers"

http://thomashawk.com/hello/209/1017/1024/Johnny%20Cash%20Finger.jpg

the ORIGINAL KING OF TERROR VIDEO.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGsOqPDkIZY

the MODEL of mental health:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zBEbfiaZTfc

"Look at the ANGLE OF THE KEY....see that, see that...."

what an idiot this Randi is.....a REAL CRITICAL THINKER....

Visit:

http://nostradamus-usa.netfirms.com

to see how we stopped the MILLION DOLLAR PARANORMAL challenge.....
watch carefully the consequences of Randi's *idea*.....

For over 40 years James Randi Zwigert (is this even a REAL NAME?) has
had total control over who and how the testing was conducted, yet
despite all this he has terminated the challenge.

The ONLY REASON why the challenge was stopped is because he lost and
refused to pay.
Apparently, Randi likes to break the rules when it serves him:

"14. This prize will continue to be offered until it is awarded. Upon
the death of James Randi, the administration of the prize will pass
into other hands, and it is intended that it continue in force. "

Great force.....it's over......

where is my MILLION DOLLARS, you LITTLE NO-NAME FRAUD
PS: Almost Forgot: Love the IRONY of the BULLSHIT sign over Randi's
ugly head....

#3 davidmabus on 2008-05-11 16:01 (Reply)

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10 most prominent skeptics of the 20th century

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Tuesday, January 8. 2008

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