Is it Friday yet?

   I always look forward to Fridays, when I can read Swift, the weekly commentary written by James Randi on skeptical topics. Unfortunately, several weeks ago Mr Randi experienced a cardiac event that required him to undergo immediate bypass surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Mr Randi is currently enduring an intense period of enforced rest and relaxation. He informs us he should be able to resume his activities at the JREF in about two months.
   In the interim, his weekly column is being handled by a series of guest writers who have been very entertaining. In this past Friday's commentary, Hal Bidlack, the man who is temporarily acting as Swift editor, talked about why he thinks James Randi is an important figure in our world:

Mr. Randi is, I’ve decided, a searchlight. He stands astride mountains of foolishness and indifference, and his light sweeps the horizon, looking for chimera and character. But as a searchlight, he is also a beacon. Those of us who may feel trapped by the nonsense showering down from the media, from strangers, from friends, from family, can feel trapped in the dark. And, often, quite alone in the dark.  But if we glance up, we can see this light. It seems dim, but only because it is piercing so much darkness. And as we move toward it, the world becomes a bit brighter.

   While I find the metaphor apt, and the description compelling, I have always had a slightly different view of Mr Randi. I mean let's be honest, he's an old curmudgeon. He does not suffer fools gladly, and he has no patience for those who attempt to tapdance around, just outside the circle of light cast by the spotlight of cold, clear reason. Deal straight with Randi, and he'll deal straight with you. Try to weasel your way through with specious, unfocussed, pseudoscientific drivel, and he'll cut you off short, and tell you, in no uncertain terms what he thinks of you and your unsubstantiated claims.
   No, I have always thought of Mr Randi as a lightning rod. He stands not astride mountains, but astride the foundation and structure of our society. He attracts to himself the lightning of surprising, and sometimes outrageous claims of paranormal talents and abilities. In drawing them to himself, and subjecting them to his challenge (put up or shut up would be a good, concise description for the JREF $1,000,000 paranormal challenge), he allows us to see them clearly for what they are, to let them harmlessly go to ground, rather than harm us with their dangerous high voltage claims.

   Make no mistake, paranormal beliefs are harmful. A 'live and let live' attitude sounds all well and fine on the surface. The problem is, belief in the paranormal, and other silly things, actually harms people. Psychics, faith healers, alternative medical practitioners, all these people subsist by preying on the credulous and the emotionally fragile.
   Your belief in the existence of ghosts, or psychic phenomena, or a god of some description has no impact on my life, that is true. However, were you, for example, the parent of a missing child, in a very emotionally fragile state of mind, I would like to see you protected from the alleged psychics who come out of the woodwork to re-victimize these people. Were you suffering from a cancer, I would like to see you protected from those who would encourage you to eschew traditional medical treatment, take tens of thousands of dollars of your money, and offer only carrot juice and coffee enemas in return.

   The simple fact is, there is no credible evidence to support the existence of any paranormal phenomena, of any description. You are free to believe in the efficacy of accupuncture, reflexology, or therapeutic touch. You are free to believe in the accuracy of astrology, Nostradamus, or biblical prophecy. You are free to believe in the existence of ghosts, fairies, and occupants of interplanetary craft. You say, "what's the harm?" We, the skeptical community, know what the harm is, and we will continue the fight against all these charlatans and con artists so that our friends and loved ones are not taken advantage of.

   Did I just end a sentence with a preposition? It's far to late for me to really care.

   Oh, one more thing. That edition of Swift I mentioned also includes an excellent piece of writing by Rebecca Watson, the author of the Skepchick Blog.

At the age of ten, I ran a casino. I dealt blackjack, rolled craps, and I even had a roulette wheel I picked up during a lucky night in an amusement park arcade.

With a beginning like that, how can you resist?

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