The James Randi Educational Foundation have announced their annual Pigasus Awards to draw attention to the most outrageous claims involving the paranormal and supernatural.
Category #1, to the scientist who said or did the silliest thing related to the supernatural, paranormal or occult: For 2006, it goes to UK biologist Rupert Sheldrake, for his “telephone telepathy” claims related to “morphic resonance. This man’s delusions increase as time goes by, and he comes up with sillier ideas every year.Category #2, to the funding organization that supported the most useless study of a supernatural, paranormal or occult claim: This year, it was earned by the Templeton Foundation, who spent $2.4 million and ten years on yet another ridiculous study, and no doubt will keep repeating this because they can’t get the message, that prayer doesn’t work.
Category #3, to the media outlet that reported as factual the most outrageous supernatural, paranormal or occult claims: U.S. TV host Montel Williams, for persisting in promoting “psychic” Sylvia Browne, in spite of knowing exactly what she’s doing. Williams has shown, over the years, that his ratings are far more important to him than his integrity and his trusting audience.
Category #4, to the “psychic” performer who fooled the greatest number of people using the least talent: Uri Geller – remember him? – who used the most tired old schoolboy trick in the book – moving-a-compass-using-a-magnet – on an Israeli TV series, thus garnering the most negative media reviews.
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