Skeptoid

Skeptoid Press Release, May 30, 2007

Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena Named Qualifying Media Presence
for the James Randi One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

Laguna Niguel, CA — May 30, 2007 — Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena Podcast, skeptoid.com, has been designated a qualifying media presence for the James Randi Foundation One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge it was announced today.

Created and produced by Brian Dunning, Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena, debuted in October 2006 “to help fight the good fight against the overwhelming majority of noise in the media supporting useless alternative medicine systems, psychics preying upon the vulnerable, the erosion of science education in the classroom, xenophobia of advanced energy and food production methods, and generally anything that distracts attention and public funding from scientific advancement.”

“The James Randi Foundation is committed to providing reliable information about paranormal claims. It both supports and conducts original research into such claims,” explained Jeff Wagg, General Manager at the James Randi Education Foundation. “We offer a one million dollar prize to anyone who can show, under proper observing conditions, evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event. To date, no one has ever passed the preliminary tests to make it into the Challenge.”

Before being considered as an applicant for the Challenge, the person applying must have a “media presence,” which means having been published, written about, or known to the media in regard to his/her claimed abilities or powers.

“Whenever I produce a Skeptoid podcast on any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event, I will feature anyone who can demonstrate that phenomena to me on a future podcast, which will then qualify them to proceed to the next step in the Paranormal Challenge,” Dunning continued. “Participants will be required to prove their abilities or powers, in person, either to me or a Skeptoid representative. Once I am satisfied the claim is valid, I will report those findings on Skeptoid, meeting the Challenge media presence requirements.

“I am looking forward to working with the James Randi Foundation as a qualifying media outlet for the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge, and for being recognized as such,” Dunning concluded.

For more information on Skeptoid, or to subscribe to the podcast, visit skeptoid.com.

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About Skeptoid
Brian Dunning has been producing the Skeptoid podcast, skeptoid.com, since its debut in October 2006, with the goal of doing not only conventional skepticism but also indicating examples of counter-productivity and folly in politically correct culture. With over 4,600 listeners/subscribers, Skeptoid covers a broad range of topics—everything from conventional debunking, to religious issues, to politically correct cultural trends, to more esoteric discussion of the value of skepticism. Dunning hopes a more practical emphasis on true critical thinking will breed an even better next generation.

Media Contact:
Morrisa Zimmeth
MORCOM
(770) 448-4060
zimmeth@morcom-atl.com