November 24, 2000

INCREDIBLE CITY, SAD NEWS, MORE GELLER PROTESTATIONS, AND POLK COUNTY STILL IN HOT WATER.

Apologies.... No, it's not a mystical power from the Qi Gong practitioners that affected this page. That's the Chinese character for Qi Gong that you see here. I've provided no updates to this page for three weeks now, an omission that is entirely my fault, for more realistic reasons. It was not only difficult for me to obtain high-speed access to the Internet from China, but from Australia my server refused access altogether! More importantly, as you will see ahead, my schedule was so augmented in China that though in the original itinerary I'd allowed intervals for web-page updates and some relaxation, I actually had hardly any time to myself at all. That is reflected in the fact that I'm now having a very hard time adjusting to the jet lag and the backlog of work I'm now plowing through. So, some of this is presented here as it was written on the scene.

I'll take this opportunity to thank just some of the folks who facilitated the China visit. Zhao Zhizhen, Director of WHTV in Wuhan and President of Wuhan TV, met every one of his promises and provided us with excellent facilities and co-operation. Mr. Zou Fan, editor and reporter for the International Department of Wuhan TV, worked wonders to make sure we had all we needed, and their Manager of Science Programs, Lei Youjiao, and the Science Producer, Sun Wa, saw that the points we made were clearly represented. We were told by Zhang Ji, the Wuhan TV Import & Distribution Manager, that the program material might be offered in other markets, as well. To all these efficient and willing folks, our sincere thanks. And we give special mention to Wang Fang, the charming hostess of the TV Special we did. She was patient and understanding of our needs.

A lady who is a former Chief Director of the Chinese Association of Scientific and Educational Film and TV, Zhang Qing, charmed us all with her dignity and authority. Melanie Wallace of WGBH Boston (PBS) and Phil Dolling of BBC Science TV, shared many laughs and anecdotes with us, and Phil even volunteered as the victim of my "psychic surgery" demonstration on Chinese TV. A brave chap indeed!

There were many, many, others, of course. Both the 2000 Beijing International Scientific Film Festival and the International Conference on Science Communication were great successes, and I'm proud to have been part of their proceedings.

I must at his point give my sincere and special thanks to a good friend and associate, Matthew Hu. We first met last year at another visit, when he got the job of interpreting for us. Every moment of every day, Matthew was there for us. Nothing was impossible for him to obtain, there was no adjustment of schedule or timing that could not be done, insurmountable odds vanished as Matthew Hu applied his talents to the job. I was charmed by his lovely wife Maggie — they hitched between our visits to China — and I look forward to seeing both of them again soon. These are winners.

From Shanghai, China....

It's been 12 years since I visited Shanghai, and the changes I observed on this visit are amazing. I previously saw it as a rather drab industrial city, though interesting because of its 1920s-30s buildings and its bustling activity — much different from Beijing. Now, it's become very much more exciting and fascinating because of a building boom. You'll see what I mean from the accompanying photo, from which you'll get a taste of the sights to be seen. It's a very important port city — always has been — but now with a skyline that demands wondering attention. And as in all of China, just try to get a mundane meal.

A very high official in the government has decided that the message the JREF takes around the world, is important to this countrys future. I was honored when China's Vice-Premier Li Lan-qing saw me on a popular TV program here, and invited me to a late-evening meeting in Beijing that brought about a sudden change in the schedule at the International Conference on Science Communication, where I was scheduled to speak. Everything was bumped ahead a couple of hours at the ICSC to accommodate the Vice-Premier's request, so that I spoke there much later than originally intended. And, as a result, my bookings here have been more than doubled, I've appeared on one popular TV show that is watched by some 50 million people, and another that has twice that number of viewers. In addition, I've taped several more TV and radio interviews back-to-back.

At my hotel, the lobby is crowded with journalists who corner me at every turn and front-page photos of me have run in the newspapers for several days. In fact, I've had to make a formal complaint about the intrusiveness of photographers at my appearances, since they have been making it very difficult for the interpreters and the audiences to see and hear what I had to say. I feel that these two conferences and my visit to China has been very good for relations between the Western and Chinese scientific communities. Critical thinking about claimed paranormal powers has now become an important factor, both for the scientists and for the public.

Just two days ago I was privileged to lecture at a very old and respected university in the city of Wuhan, in central China. The Chinese people are great hosts in every way, and I'm pleased that I've been able to express my opinions on the supernatural nonsense that unfortunately also visits this part of the world. I've been invited to return, and I certainly will.

My friend Sima Nan, as expected, showed up to effusively greet me and share some new stories about his work in this country, fighting widespread cultism and typically unproven traditional superstition. And, we'll be seeing him soon in Australia as well, at the Sydney Skeptics World Convention III. The current issue of SWIFT has a story about this courageous chap that I hope you'll read. He's battling against the fact that a number of persons prominent in the government are followers of cults and "masters" who promise miracles and deliver tricks. Among these "gurus" is found Li Hongzhi, a miracle-worker who attributes Hitler's holocaust and the Nanjing Massacre on bad astrological vibes, asserts that everything in the universe is made of water, and denies all medical and scientific claims. Incredibly, he has millions of followers here and abroad. Sima Nan, a graduate in economics, a popular and controversial figure in today's China, and a charismatic performer, travels about the country revealing the tricks and urging critical thinking. He accepts no fees for this work but supports himself through an audio-visual service he runs. In fact, he made those facilities available to us, free of charge. He has suffered serious physical assault on several occasions from goon squads, but persists in taking his message to the people.

Sima Nan is a good friend and colleague. We are grateful for his generosity and for his excellent work in combating The Bad Guys in China.

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Well, Uri Geller's lawyers are — again! — outraged, as expressed in their lawsuit they're bringing against Nintendo, the Pokemon folks. One of the character cards has a sorta cute little critter on it that Mr. Geller says just can't be tolerated. Gee, as I said before, I'd be tickled pink to be a Pokemon character, but Uri is not amused. Say his lawyers:

Nintendo exploits Uri Geller's name and image and adds lightning bolts on his chest and a star on his forehead. What kind of mentality is this? Nintendo will learn that what they have done to Uri Geller is not a game they can win.

Uri Geller is world-famous for his extraordinary psychic abilities and demonstrations. He is the author of twelve international best-selling books and his columns are published in newspapers and magazines around the globe. "Good Day USA" and his weekly radio program are broadcast nationally in the United States.

In addition to Nintendo's unauthorized use of Geller's identity, name and his signature image of a bent spoon, there is also a star on the Pokemon Geller character's forehead and lighting-bolts on his chest. Lighting bolts symbolized the notorious Nazi SS during World War II.

Oh, really, Uri! When I see lightning bolts, the SS doesn't automatically spring to mind. Zeus, yes, but SS, no. And didn't you originally claim that was a six-pointed star, and a yellow one, as well? That, I might have resented, myself. But unless my senses have totally deserted me, the "Geller" card I have shows a red star with five points. Count 'em. Five.

And the "twelve international best-selling books" that Mr. Geller has written have all escaped my attention, I must admit. I sure can't remember the last — or any — time I tuned in to "Good Day USA," or that weekly radio show, and I just seem to have missed every one of the "newspapers and magazines around the globe" that run his column.

Tell you what, Uri. If you'll supply me with a list of the 12 international best-selling books, the radio stations and newspapers and magazines, I'll run it here on my page so that my readers will be better informed. Deal? (Sound of crickets heard on the still night air.)

I'm told that my friend Gerard Majax in France is also being sued by Geller. And he's threatening the Korean TV producer who displeased him recently during an interview, with yet another lawsuit. Does Uri have nothing better to do than sue? Surely there are unbent spoons out there he can direct his ire upon?

While we're on legal matters, that recent suit brought again myself and JREF by would-be parapsychologist Eldon Byrd has been dismissed while we were away. Hard to keep up with the litigious types out there....

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While here in China, I was informed that Steve Allen, famous musician, comedian, and TV host, died in his sleep of a heart attack. A great blow. I was with Steve in Los Angeles just a few weeks ago, and he seemed frail, but this sudden passing was quite unexpected. I first met Steve in the early days of the NBC Tonight Show, of which he was the founder and first host. I recall that he broke the rules of TV behavior by clattering up the spiral staircase of the old Hudson Theater in New York City, where the show originated, and greeted each of the evening's performers before the show. He was a generous, charming, talented, and much-loved personality, and I'll miss him. He supported the skeptical movement and several other causes, and made good friends all over the world. His infectious giggle will remain in my memories of Steverino.

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In the Tampa Tribune, Sunday, Oct.22, 2000, we saw an article by Deborah Alberto, "Teaching Program Raises Red Flags." It dealt with the matter in Polk County, Florida, which I brought to your attention a few weeks back. Here is an excerpt:

It sounded great to some of the folks in charge of education in Polk County. A California consultant they found dazzling promised a new instructional program to help schools this year in rural eastern Polk. It would let children learn in their own ways while it provided inspiration to their teachers. A sampling: "When we learn to love, we will know how to teach. When we learn to teach, we will know how to love." They figured they might get a federal grant to pay for it, and they had money left over from school construction, too. But federal authorities rejected it, and critics soon complained about its "new age" ideas such as Mother Earth and a self-balance symbol called a mandala.

Much of the material still hasn't arrived, and may not come until June. The stuff supporters touted as "the latest in brain-based research" is based on a theory even the consultant concedes is 20 years old. And the school board is on the hook for more than $740,000 while the state investigates "serious allegations" about a misallocation of money.

The whole thing dates back at least to last winter. That's when school officials began taking the steps to use the leftover construction money, and it's when they began spending other money on travel to and from California and workshops led by the consultant, Sue Miller Hurst.

Yet it wasn't until this academic year began in August that the school district's finance staff was aware the promised materials were unfinished. "I did not know this when I signed the purchase order'" in March, purchasing director Scott Clanton said this month. Clanton said he was ready to cancel the order, in fact, until east area Superintendent Carolyn Baldwin intervened in August. "That's when it became obvious that these materials were still in development," he said.

Baldwin, who has championed Miller Hurst, said Friday that others including school board member Jim Nelson were aware from the start the materials were undeveloped while a model was being created for Polk. "Sue is internationally known," Baldwin said. "I don't know a more caring, sincere individual who provides support. Many vendors give a product and are gone. She is following up." Baldwin was among about 1,200 district employees and community residents who attended a one-day workshop at the Lakeland Center in May for which Miller Hurst was paid $10,000. It was one of several the consultant has staged that have cost taxpayers at least $175,000 since March. Betty Cox, deputy state education commissioner, expressed surprise at the costs. She researched invoices for outside trainers at the state level and "could not find a case that approached $10,000 for one day of training."

Cox's department is investigating whether it's proper to use another $565,400 in leftover construction money — pledged to the consultant but not spent yet — as well as a claim that the materials may have "new age" religious connotations.

The allegations emerged in August, when a conservative parent action group researched the project. A 1981 copyrighted version of Miller Hurst's Wholemind Works kit is what's being used for now in three schools. Cox said she couldn't comment on the case except to say, "These are serious allegations that, if founded, will be forwarded to the governor's office." Miller Hurst voiced dismay at the religious controversy. "Hatred and malice, these are exactly the things I came to heal," she said. But when the focus became financial, additional calls to her at her Starshine Foundation were referred to a lawyer.

I'll keep you informed as this drama develops.....

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Here's an article for our Chinese-reading friends that appeared in Beijing.....

No puzzle, again. This augmented schedule here in China has removed all hope of that. As I write this, I'm being pestered to do the nap scene to get ready for more heavy stuff coming up. I'll be greeting Michael Shermer of SKEPTIC Magazine in a couple of hours, who joins me for the International Conference on Science Communication. And I'll be seeing physicist Leon Lederman for the first time in about six years. Do we really have to go half-way around the globe to have lunch, Leon?

And yes, I goofed on the "hearing threshold" figure. The lower limit for humans is 20 to 25 Hertz, not 125 Hertz, as I stated previously on this page. Drat!

Next week I'll tell you about the Sydney Skeptics World Convention III that I also attended. It was a smash success.

I'll really, really, try to keep up with web-page changes, dear reader. This one will do through December 1st, and Martin Gardner has just sent me a collection of great puzzles to use, so take heart! And shortly I'll start a series of "how-to" articles that will tell you how to perform such tricky wonders as:

"The Tiresome Sealed-Drawing-in-an-Envelope ESP Demo"

"Bending Spoons Without Divine Assistance From a UFO"

and "Sprouting Radish Seeds By Trickery Alone."

Bet you can't wait......