That Silly Doctor is Back!
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- Written by James Randi
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 8528
At http://www.randi.org/joom/swift/weird-exchange-2.html you met Dr. Richard Boylan, a woo-woo artist who at least we cannot accuse of resting on his laurels, because reader Mogens Winther informs us that this PhD now offers a new scenario that establishes his claim to championship in the field. Writes Mr. Winther:
Apparently, this orb-loving Dr. Boylan runs a webpage – impressively – which tells about yet another Disaster from Heaven:
The Humansist On the Bus Go Round and Round
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- Written by Jeffrey Wagg
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 13580
Swift reader Malcom Dodd (and others) brought this wonderful bit of activism to our attention:
Dear Mr Randi
I am sure that you will be interested in this http://www.justgiving.com/atheistbus/ and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7681914.stm
£51,000 raised in one day (in the time that I have taken to write this the total has risen to £51,850), that is enough for ads on 300 London buses for four weeks!
Weird Exchange
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- Written by James Randi
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 12802
From reader Mogens Winther,
a teacher of physics, astronomy and maths in Sønderborg, Denmark, comes
this item, which invoked his brief comment: “Stupidity never
stops.” Somone named “Geri” wrote to “UFO Facts”
– at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
– with an inquiry:
Subject:
Orbs or raindrops???
Dr.
Boylan,
We
had a severe storm here last night in Central Florida. It was worse than any
storm I have every experienced (with the possible exception of a few big
hurricanes). The energy was palpable and the dark cloud cover made it look like
night. We had over 2,000 lightening [sic] strikes in one hour (lots of
energy), along with rain and hail.
I
went outside and took a photo. When I looked at it, it resembled the Orb
photos. I was on the front porch and there was no water on my lense [sic]
and no hail falling. I have attached the photo and I would like to know... Is
this my first photo of Orbs? or are these just raindrops?
I
appreciate your expertice [sic].
Big News from the Breatharians
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- Written by Jeffrey Wagg
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 15133
Hoo boy. For those who don't know, breatharians are folks that live without the benefit of food. They take in all sustenance and energy through the air. And while this is among the silliest claims we've had at the JREF, we receive queries about it often, including challenge applications. However, 70-year old Wiley Brooks, who claims to have lived without food for thirty years, has just made an important announcement through his Breatharian Institute of America that may have us rethinking our previous notions.
Yamaha Yakidding?
- Details
- Written by Jeffrey Wagg
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 11669
Yamaha is a well known Japanese company that makes many things including engines, pianos, and electronics. Their reputation is excellent, and based on my experience with their products, well deserved. At least until now. Swift reader John Culbert informs us that Yamaha is now selling products known by those at the JREF to cause monetary loss, delusional beliefs, and embarassment. Behold: Phiten.
To be clear, these products are not made by Yamaha. They're made by Phiten, a Japanese company founded by Yoshiro Hirata, a man who devoted his life to becoming a chef, until illness forced him out of that business. He then taught himself physical therapy, opened an institute, and invented Phiten technology. The products themselves are the same old thing: they're bracelets and other jewelry impregnated with some exotic sounding metal, this time titanium. From the Yamaha site :
This enhanced material is created with charged titanium particles that are uniquely processed into various forms, emitting a stabilizing field that is in tune with the body's natural system to increase energy capacity and enhance function.
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