In the reality-based community, we generally like claims backed up with repeatable observational data. That way we know that they’re genuine. Tarot, crystal healing and palmistry certainly don’t fit the bill, thus we call them “false.” Those who promote things that are false or unproven are labeled (among other things) “quacks,” “charlatans,” “con artists” and “chiropractors.”

James Randi of the Web site www.randi.org offers a $1 million dollar prize to anyone who can prove — under controlled conditions — anything paranormal. Tarot, palmistry and crystal healing, along with a plethora of other chicanery, all qualify as paranormal. In test protocols designed and agreed to by the applicants and Randi, no one passed the preliminary test. Not one. Note that this doesn’t prove those things are bogus, but it does show the applicants failed to meet the threshold where we can refer to the claim as “real.” Thus we are left with the default label of “not real.”

If you want to believe in this baloney, please feel free. After all, there are people who believe the moon landings were faked, the government has autopsied alien beings and they can read thoughts and bend spoons with their minds. Have a blast. Just don’t go publishing it in the newspaper as if it were common knowledge.

“Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.” — Mark Twain, in “Huckleberry Finn”

Dennis Blankenship

MSU staff