Sounds Like Acceptance, Incredible, Freedom of Expression Triumphs, No Surprise at All, Correction, Evolution and Education, Coo-Coo Department, In Closing…

It’s not often that one of the noisy woo-woos out there actually accepts to take the JREF challenge, but we just may have such a one! It’s Michael Fremer, who signs himself as “senior contributing editor, Stereophile Magazine.” Now, we’ve sniped away at Stereophile many times here on SWIFT, and offered them the JREF million-dollar prize, repeatedly – with no response. But that may have changed. I must admit, I feel like a hungry lion who just had a flock of tasty lambs wander into his valley…!
In a rather “enthusiastic” and certainly colorful response to my taunting, Mr. Fremer chose to quote me from the November 17th, 2006, SWIFT, where I printed one of his more hilarious statements re demagnetizing vinyl LP recordings. No, that’s not a misprint, folks. Even though vinyl plastic can’t retain or even react to a magnetic field, Fremer – a scientifically-trained editor, remember, as opposed to my own meager educational background – seems to believe otherwise. He wrote:
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SOUNDS LIKE ACCEPTANCE!![]() It’s not often that one of the noisy woo-woos out there actually accepts to take the JREF challenge, but we just may have such a one! It’s Michael Fremer, who signs himself as “senior contributing editor, Stereophile Magazine.” Now, we’ve sniped away at Stereophile many times here on SWIFT, and offered them the JREF million-dollar prize, repeatedly – with no response. But that may have changed. I must admit, I feel like a hungry lion who just had a flock of tasty lambs wander into his valley…! In a rather “enthusiastic” and certainly colorful response to my taunting, Mr. Fremer chose to quote me from the November 17th, 2006, SWIFT, where I printed one of his more hilarious statements re demagnetizing vinyl LP recordings. No, that’s not a misprint, folks. Even though vinyl plastic can’t retain or even react to a magnetic field, Fremer – a scientifically-trained editor, remember, as opposed to my own meager educational background – seems to believe otherwise. He wrote: ...demagnetizing an LP definitively removed a high-frequency glaze or glare and seemed to enrich the midband... Demagnetizing LPs works. Better yet, once a record has been demagnetized, it seems to stay that way... And do not try one of these devices unless you’re prepared to buy it. Here’s how I commented on this Fremer statement on that occasion: …strangely enough, he [Fremer] won’t invest 20 minutes of his time to win the JREF million-dollar prize! Or could it be that he’s an incompetent fumbler and is just turning out crap for naïve subscribers to Stereophile? He will not respond, nor will anyone else at Stereophile Magazine, because they’re fakers. Prove me wrong. Now, nearly a year later, I will quote Michael Fremer’s answer directly, with all his subtle phrasing, grammar and spelling, and his consummate smooth talk, exactly as it appeared. He wrote: OR COULD IT BE I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT HIS STUPID F...KING CHALLENGE? Umm, I think Fremer knows, by now. I must say that I’ve not even so much as glanced at my navel in years, and I cannot imagine that he was unaware of the JREF prize offer. However, he then published this statement: I will take the annoying Randi’s cable challenge once we agree to the protocol and I find it intended to be truly scientific and not designed to produce confusion. I am more than well qualified to participate and am willing to do so despite the fact that the annoying Randi attacked me personally on his site by using a clownish photo of me that I generously allowed to be taken for the cover of a magazine because A) unlike the annoying Randi I have a sense of humor and B) unlike the annoying Randi I have a sense of humor. The A) and B) options listed above, quite escape my understanding, or I’m insensitive to a subtle bit of humor, a problem that might be shared with other readers. However, I must admit that Fremer’s use here of the word “annoying” – eight times! – is very significant. It certainly is annoying to have someone constantly calling your bluff, questioning your competence, and trying to equip you with the simple facts of grade-school science. The “bunch of collectivist commies” comment says much about Fremer’s politics, and I hasten to assure him that I – at least – have zero “collectivist” or communist sympathies. No matter. I guess he was running short of schoolboy insults, and reached ’way down into the bag… Ah, but what an unexpected surprise this is! Pending preparation and examination of the protocol – of course – Michael Fremer, senior contributing editor of Stereophile Magazine, has now agreed to take the JREF challenge! Hallelujah! I’ll address a few points he makes: first, I assure him that any proposed test would be scrupulously scientific, designed to produce definitive results. I cannot expect him to be familiar with my established standards in this respect, since he appears to be ignorant of my campaign to bring reality to those who need it, but I assure him that qualified scientific advisors are prepared to assist us in protocol design and implementation. And, as he wrote, he himself is “…more than well qualified” in this respect. Second, I apologize for having used a photo of him that he found to be “clownish.” My only problem is that I’m unable to discover this photo, though I seem to recall having used one of him that looked like Mickey Mouse. If that’s the one referred to, it appears that he willingly, purposefully, “generously,” posed for it, and knowingly did so for use on a magazine cover! I had no idea that he so regretted that action… In regard to my sense of humor, I assure Fremer that it’s quite well-developed. You see, it’s part of the defense mechanism I’ve developed so that I’m not too easily depressed by the scam artists who sell useless gimmicks to heal innocent, vulnerable victims, or to magically improve the expensive audio/video setups owned by the naïve, or to bring financial assistance to needy persons via incantations and charms. There are some tears along with my laughter. As for my “loathsome and arrogant character,” I suggest that Fremer doesn’t really know me well enough – yet. If truth and common sense offend him, if honesty and candid statements hurt his preferred perception of the world, and if rationality threatens his delusions, I can understand that opinion he holds of me. However, it appears that all that misconceptions will shortly be cleared up. He states – again, much to my surprise! – that he is “willing to participate in a double blind, scientifically designed cable test.” I would – contrary to his stated dread – insist that the tests be designed “to see if an individual might be able to hear differences and reliably identify them as opposed to a test designed to ‘prove’ that there are no differences.” That latter notion never occurred to me, since I cannot imagine having to design a protocol to establish such a strange idea, but it was his invention, not mine. We are in total agreement in that respect. I assure him that I would never retreat to re-designing the rules of any tests, as he suggests was done previously after a test of audio components in which he took part. (I must say, in passing, that a test of differences in audio amplifiers could surely be winnable, since there obviously are audible differences between different designs and different combinations of audio components. I think that even I – inexperienced as I am – might be successful in such a test.) All the protocol in any tests in which I’m involved, is stated in advance, clearly, and is followed scrupulously, Mr. Fremer. Be assured of that. In accordance with Fremer’s suggestion, I’m sure that we can agree on a “high resolution audio system set up in a good room,” and we can agree on the test protocol. Also, the choice of cables will be both his and mine, as he suggests. Just as I was preparing this text to submit to Rich Montalvo for preparation to go up Thursday night, as we regularly do, Fremer apparently panicked that he might actually have to go through with the acceptance of the challenge. At 2:44p.m. on Wednesday, I received this note via e-mail: I MAKE NO CLAIMS OF HAVING "PSYCHIC, SUPERNATURAL OR PARANORMAL ABILITIES." At 2:47p.m., all a-twitter at having heard directly from Fremer, I fired off this response: As clearly stated, I have designated the Pear claim, by its nature, and by definition, to be a paranormal event. That makes it eligible. In any case, you are eligible for the JREF million-dollar prize. Do you accept? At 3:43p.m., Fremer responded: So it’s not a "psychic" event, it’s not a "supernatural" event, but it is a "paranormal" one. Please define "paranormal." At 4:03, I answered: Okay, we aim to please:
Detecting differences between two varieties of excellent conductors of low-voltage electrical signals – speaker leads – via a direct auditory test, would fall within this usage. ![]() This item appeared on Gizmodo at tinyurl.com/328aqg Last week, magician and paranormal debunker James Randi… offered the makers of Pear speaker cables $1 million if they could prove in double-blind testing there was a difference between their $7,250 cables and ordinary Monster Cables. Now, Adam Blake, CEO and co-founder of Pear Cable, has called Randi’s offer "a fake" and a "joke." We’ve contacted James Randi, asking if he’d like to get together with these Pear dudes for some double-blind testing. We’ve also contacted Adam Blake, asking if Pear planned to participate in Randi’s double-blind test. After the jump, see the full text of Pear Cable’s accusations that Randi’s million-dollar offer is a hoax. We’ll keep you posted if anyone responds.
Umm, no, Adam. The JREF believes that if the claims made for these cables – not to mention the claim that vinyl plastic can be magnetized! – are genuine, that would constitute a paranormal event. And, it’s our challenge, so we can make this provision if we want to, and you should welcome the scent of a million dollars wafting your way! To continue:
Umm, I don’t recall that I’ve ever doubted the possible effects of RFI – Radio Frequency Interference – on audio quality, but Blake seems to think I have. I’m also well aware of possible inductance problems, resistance/impedance effects, and other interfering elements that might not be rejected by plain old “zip” cord speaker cables, but there is a point beyond which no ear can benefit from the expense of conductors. But, moving on:
Randi comments: Yes, because those claims were within reason, and could be expected to result in valid decisions, so were not in any sense paranormal. But note: There’s good news to be found here! Blake actually considers the totally incredible claims for the “Intelligent Chip” – which you can see at this link – “a more dubious audio tweak”! There appears to be some limit to his credulity! Continuing:
No, Adam, you’re showing your ignorance here. Applicants don’t have to be “part of the media,” at all. Re-read that part of the challenge rules. But you knew that, didn’t you? Anything goes, when you have to get readers off the facts… What follows is the usual/expected appeal to hi-tech tests, rather than to the “golden ears” of the “experts.” These “measurements” are meaningless in regard to the actual listening experience – which is what the consumer would seem to be interested in, unless he has bats as pets… Writes Blake:
Oh, Adam, I suspect there are other reasons for your reluctance to participate in those conversations, especially when comments such as these – selected from a far greater number – have been sent in to your own site and to other blogs: You know, if these people really thought that Randi was a hoax, there would be a very simple way to prove it, and to really "own" him. Take him up on the offer. Seriously. Accept Randi’s challenge and document the hell out of it. Record every phone call, save every email. And, if/when Randi backs out, makes unreasonable claims, or just gets difficult, post it all. Instead, this just sounds like more of the same type of thing that the “psychics” claim: "The negative energies from Randi keep my abilities from working." "I am not allowed to profit from my abilities." "The negative energies from Randi keep my abilities from working." "I am not allowed to profit from my abilities." "I don’t need a million dollars." "He would just keep changing the rules, so I am not going to try." That Adam Blake dude is named by the media. Why doesn’t HE take the challenge? Randi just doesn’t want to deal with all the little snacks out there that just want their 30 seconds of fame. Of course, when the challenge is done they all say the contest was rigged... Because they can’t accept they are not the real thing. It hurts their egos and they wanna justify themselves so they can continue fooling gullible foos’. Also: PHD does not equal logical. Randi has about 549 more times common sense than some PHD fools in truthology out there. Randi is a pro magician, which means he’s trained to smell the bull out there. Don’t try to fool the man – he sees what you’re doing. It’s his JOB to fool people. Take Randi for an old senile and you’ll regret it. Blake just doesn’t get Randi’s point. It doesn’t matter if Pear cables can handle certain frequencies better if those frequencies are undetectable to the human ear. I’m not buying cables for my dog, I’m buying them for me. If your cables are really the bee’s knees, why not submit to the test? You can show me all sorts of electrical readings from the cables themselves, but if people can’t tell the difference with their ears you’re selling snake oil. I give Blake credit for trying to back himself up, but saying "so-and-so said this on a forum" isn’t exactly a watertight support for an argument. Put up or shut up, Pear Cable If this snake oil salesman Blake actually had a valid claim, he would have done the test already. Fact is he KNOWS that his cables CAN’T provide an audible difference to the human ear, so instead he puffs up, struts around and calls James Randi names. How can a "hoax" have "official rules"? I’m guessing that like all psychics, they balk at not being able to control the environment. ...did Mr. Blake actually write "High School eductated"?...lordy, no wonder he doesn’t want to submit to any "challenges" – he sounds intellectually overchallenged as it is... regardless. While I quite well understand Adam’s typos – since corrected – I’ll decline to respond to his snide “high school educated” comment. I’ll simply refer him to the long list of prestigious venues at which I’ve spoken – all over the world, the international recognition and honors I’ve received, and the string of Nobel Laureates who I’ve gotten to know. I’ve often said that though an education makes a person educated, it doesn’t necessarily make him smart… Just as we were closing this week’s page, this was sent back to me from Fremer, with the heading “Importance: High”: But there are scientific explanations for sonic differences among cables, including (among others) inductance, resistance and capacitance, all of which can have an effect on frequency response. Effective shielding (or not) can and does affect measurable noise spectra due to the intrusion (or not) or RFI/EMI. Sir, I assure you that I’m quite familiar with such things as inductance, resistance, and capacitance as possible factors in performance. Well, let’s leave out the designation “paranormal,” then, since it seems that it intrudes on your sensitivity standards. Likewise with “golden ears.” As for the “interconnects” you mention, it would be my intention to simply mechanically – by hand – connect or disconnect the speaker leads, as dictated by the randomizer means we employ… In any case, this discussion must end here, since we have to “go to press” with this edition of SWIFT. To be continued, anon…. I look forward to discussing the parameters, location, and time for a test. With great enthusiasm! |
INCREDIBLE![]() Dr. Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., is a tenured professor of Psychology and the Director of The VERITAS Research Program of the “Human Energy Systems Laboratory” – a hotbed of woo-woo nonsense in the Department of Psychology at the University of Arizona. At U of A, Schwartz teaches in the departments of Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Surgery. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard, from whence also came Dr. John Mack, a man who apparently had never met anyone who hadn’t been abducted by space aliens. Schwartz is a darling of the media, who eagerly quote his belief in spiritualist mediums, remote viewing, and other wonders, because he’s a real scientist, an actual "Doctor" who embraces bump-in-the-night ideas without hesitation. And, be warned: he never neglects to tell you about his academic qualifications, his numerous scholarly papers, and other writings. You can see a thorough examination of this strange fellow at this link and at other places on SWIFT. Well, last week’s “Geraldo at Large” show on Fox News ran a 6-minutes-plus item that I only happened to hear about while channel-hopping. As I watched the piece, I could not believe what was being said. The video of this event can be found to the right →. It appears that Dr. Schwartz has now turned from being merely a gullible believer in psychic claims, to having contact with the dead, himself! In the video clip, he tells a grieving father who lost his son five years ago, that he’s “talked to [his] son,” and has felt “his essence.” He suggests that the wealthy man should pony up $3.3 million to start a corporation “from the other side”! Hey, Schwartz already got $1.8 million from our National Institutes of Health to further the work of the Human Energy Systems Laboratory, and understandably he sees the naivety of people who are blinded by his Harvard education! Interestingly, I note that Laurie Campbell, star of the Discovery Channel’s vapid “Sensing Murder” series, who was called in on the program by Geraldo to provide an opinion on Schwartz, joined her fellow “psychic” Allison Dubois – who had previously been chummy with Schwartz – in disavowing the man. Campbell described Schwartz as “highly unethical” and said that when she appealed to the University of Arizona for help, “nobody seemed to really be interested in helping me.” Perhaps an explanation for that reluctance is to be found in the next paragraph: I must ask, will the University of Arizona remain unfazed by what appears to be not only a bizarre departure from academic propriety, but an adventure into the world of the spiritualist scam artist? When I offered the University the JREF million-dollar prize if Schwartz would submit his raw data on his John Edward “investigation” and thereby prove that Edward was a genuine psychic, the University declined to accept in spite of the fact that Schwartz had agreed – during an in-person visit to the JREF – that he would (a) follow the protocol that I’d designed to test Edward, and (b) submit to us the raw data from his investigation, though he subsequently allowed Edward to bypass the protocol, and never made any move to submit the data to us.. I think I now know why that offer to the University was turned down: I think that Schwartz is bringing so much money in to the University coffers, that another million just doesn’t seem that attractive, in comparison. It will be interesting to see how this strange event plays out. Mr. Michael I. Knopf, the man that Schwartz asked for the 3.3 million, is not at all happy with the way he was treated. The University will, I think, hum and haw a bit until the excitement dies away, and wait until the money starts coming in again. But we’ll see… |
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION TRIUMPHSThe much-discussed “Digital Millennium Copyright Act” [DMCA], passed in 1998, is a major update of intellectual-property laws which, among other things, limits liability for online service providers, as long as the provider acts promptly when a copyright infringement is reported. We at the JREF had an instance of this just recently, when “psychic” Uri Geller complained to YouTube about some videos that we had placed on our site, very revealing videos with which The Spoonbender was displeased. He was seen in these videos doing quite ordinary conjuring tricks, though he’s said many times that he doesn’t do tricks, doesn’t know how to do tricks, and has never done tricks. Geller told YouTube that the material in those videos that so offended him, was an eight-second clip of his "deeply private" family doctor, who had agreed to appear only in the original public performance some 20 years earlier, well before the public-access Internet/World Wide Web facility existed. YouTube immediately removed the videos in response to Geller’s claim that he had a copyright on the material, but as soon as it was discovered that he had no such copyright, the videos were back in place, and can now be seen again at randi.org/uri/ Well, a similar dispute in now underway between an atheist group and a creationist group over some postings on YouTube. The atheist group – the Rational Response Squad [RRS] – says they’ve been subjected to a new and inappropriate use of the DMCA. Recently, YouTube withdrew several videos criticizing the Creation Science Evangelism ministry, videos that had been posted by the RRS. At one point, YouTube even suspended Rational Response Squad’s account. The RRS argued to YouTube that the content fell under the rule of “fair use,” and those videos were eventually restored. Rational Response Squad’s account was also reinstated. Falsely claiming a copyright is not without possible serious consequences. This is illegal under DMCA rules, and can lead not only to damage judgments and legal fees, but also to public embarrassment when the public finds out about it. As another example of how the DMCA rulings are backfiring on the grubbies, Brian Sapient, a leader of the Rational Response Squad, noted that Kent Hovind, the founder of the Creation Science Evangelism group, presently serving a ten-year prison for tax evasion, had – from prison – encouraged use of certain material on the ministry’s web site. This matter is being investigated right now. Geller, asked by Wired News for a comment about the posting of the videos, said: I couldn’t care about criticism. Exposés are fantastic. I have no problems with atheists, agnostics or other critics, but I don’t want my doctor’s image splashed over the internet… Oscar Wilde once said that the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. When skeptics bring videos out, come on, that’s free publicity… I’ve been hounded by skeptics for years. I’m used to turning it around. That obviously means that Geller has no objections to our posting the videos, and he enjoys the publicity, I’m happy to note. Not only has he no right to have them taken down, but he has clearly said that he considers them “fantastic.” Well, so do we…! They’ll be up there in perpetuity…! Says Wired News: As more people catch on to how useful YouTube can be for delivering political, religious and cultural messages, DMCA claims are likely to increase. With news cycles moving at light-speed, an illegal copyright claim might well suppress unwanted news long enough to distort coverage. And if previous incidents are any indication, the issues involved could get much weightier, especially in an election year. In 2003, security-systems company Diebold tried, unsuccessfully, to use the DMCA to remove leaked company emails from the internet. The information revealed serious flaws in the company’s oft-maligned electronic voting machines. Diebold lost the case in 2004 and paid $125,000 in damages and penalties for bogus accusations of copyright violation. As soon as we discover what Geller had to do to atone for his false copyright claim, we’ll let our readers know. Hark! What’s that sudden scurrying noise I hear? Could it be Geller frantically summoning his legal forces…? |
NO SURPRISE AT ALLReader John Weber, CIO at Southeast Missouri State University, informs us: Dr. Lucinda Swatzell is a professor of botany at Southeast Missouri State University and is presenting these three lectures as part of the Kent Library Athenaeum series. I attended the first lecture expecting an intellectual discussion of science and Genesis. There was no such thing. Dr. Swatzell presented a lecture backed up by a cartoon (literally) PowerPoint presentation at the level of a sixth grade Bible study class. Her presentation consisted of misrepresentations, falsehoods, gross oversimplifications of the methods of science research, wildly incongruent logic, and opinions based on her childhood interpretations of the Bible. As if to give some more flavor to the matter, John gives us “Two Factoids”: The university has a “Creation Science Club,” and Cape Girardeau, where the university is located, is Rush Limbaugh’s home town. You can see Dr. Swatzell’s brochure at library.semo.edu/Brochure_Swatzell.pdf |
CORRECTIONReader Dean Bergen writes, concerning the item two weeks ago at this link in which I stated – erroneously – that Stereophile Magazine editor John Atkinson had actually applied for the JREF prize: I just wanted to fill in you guys (any gals there?) about an email I got from one John Atkinson today stating that:
Just thought you might like to know. You guys wouldn’t happen to have anything I could reply, and rebut, with, would you? Well, I’ve looked into this matter, and discovered that Mr. Atkinson is quite correct – in some respects. First, we at the JREF don’t pursue or “contact” likely applicants for the prize – except in very rare cases. The woo-woos out there are very much aware of this challenge, and would have to be hiding under a rock – hello, Sylvia? – not to know about it. Second, I find I have three Atkinsons on my list, one – also named John – in the Isle of Man, another named Greta. I didn’t think that Atkinsons were so plentiful! Third, though I sent many notes off to THE Atkinson, it appears that if he got them – and my mail might have been designated “spam” by his system as a protective measure – he did not respond! Those acceptances I received were actually made on his behalf by Stereophile/Atkinson fans who assured me that he’d be more than happy to apply, and with so many other real assurances from “experts” who have eagerly declared their willing candidacy, I made a false connection… So, THE John Atkinson of Stereophile Magazine – unless more than one such works with or for Stereophile! – never made application for the JREF prize, nor “backed out,” because he never backed in. Nor did he even entertain the idea that he might provide evidence for his support of pseudoscientific and quite hilarious products that he and Stereophile have endorsed, thus reacting just as we’d have expected. Neither Stereophile Magazine nor their John Atkinson responded to the JREF million-dollar challenge, preferring to lie low and wait until I’d moved on. Fear is a great motive for hiding behind authority, as we’ve shown time after time. I do apologize to THE John Atkinson, and thank him for verifying his still-standing reluctance to prove his support of nonsense such as the "Audiodharma Cable Cooker” – $649, the “Intelligent Chip” – $16, and the "Shakti Hallograph Soundfield Optimizer" – $999, – and to thereby win the million dollars. My statement last week about him was incorrect. |
EVOLUTION AND EDUCATIONReader Brian Makepeace of Ithaca, New York, writes: My ever-eroding confidence in the future evolution of our species continues to be shaken. I offer some thoughts, gripes, and rhetorical questions: Brian, my intuition tells me that your friend needs to discover rationality, reason, and probability. Perhaps the ivy got in the way when those subjects were brought up at school… |
COO-COO DEPARTMENTIn case you think that Blake and Fremer are pretty far out there, I’ll close with someone who calls himself “Lord Elf,” which rather sets the stage for his entrance here. Spelling, punctuation, just as sent in, here’s the kind of note we get a few times a week just to show us that there are people who actually think, for example, that vinyl can be magnetized… Oh, wait, that was Fremer. Sorry. “Zacharia Andrew Pain” – no wonder he’d rather be an elf! – or “Andrew Floyd Strasser,” whoever he is, sent us this love-note: Would you like to keep your foundation? Sigh… |
IN CLOSING…![]() I’m sure you’re familiar with the famous Edmund Scientific Company, folks who have been so very active in getting materials and literature supplied to scientists – both amateur and professional – all over the world. Well, the man who started all this – Norm Edmund himself – lives only a few blocks away from the JREF, and I contacted him to see if he would grace TAM5.5 – January 26, 2008 – with his presence. This spry 91-year-old had no hesitation at all about accepting, and even turned down our offer to pick him up and return him to his abode. “I’m still driving, you know,” he said. Hey, if only for inspiration about your own advancing age, I suggest that you’ll enjoy meeting and chatting with this youngster at TAM5.5…! |