Regarding my earlier post today about the big psychic press conference in Hollywood, skeptics Fernando Chapa and Francois Choquette attended and filed these report to us. Thanks for being the voices of reason Fernando and Francois.
On another subject, regarding the JFK, Jr. death media frenzie, consider all this from an evolutionary psychological perspective of humans as a hierarchical social primate species obsessed with attractive and powerful alpha males (and their offspring). Notice the references to "American royalty," to an "American prince," and so forth. Not to take anything away from the accident, why does this accident warrant more media coverage than the thousands of other Americans who die every day? Even though America has never had an absolute monarchy or an hereditary power structure, it's as if the public is desperate to have one, almost like something tugging at us from within that we need to have a leader. On one level, it's pathetic; on another it's very telling. As I type this NBC Dateline is drolling on about the "political dynasty" and asking "who is going to carry the torch?" now that JFK, Jr., the "crown prince," is gone. Why do humans need an alpha male? Because we evolved with one as a hierarchical social primate species? Maybe this event is further evidence for this evolutionary perspective. No, I'm not arguing that it's all genetics. But 223 years after America gave the boot to an absolute monarch and absolute monre at the top of the social heap.
I just returned from ISPR's news conference. The crowd consisted ISPR's team of six, three reporters, and two skeptics (including myself).
Dr. Larry Montz introduced his team, explaining how each of them had been engineers, or scientists of some sort before they turned their expertise towards paranormal investigation.
The reporters did not ask any questions about the experiment itself. All their questions revolved around ISPR's members, and how they went about doing their job. Dr. Montz told several stories about his trip to London, and the types of ghosts he had encountered.
I mostly listened, but asked Dr. Montz few questions: (The order of the questions below is chronologically ordered, although they were interspersed with questions from the reporters.
Q: Have you performed this heart experiment on anybody else?
A: No.
Q from fellow skeptic: Shouldn't you try your own experiments first to make sure they work?
A: Trust me. We have been doing this a long time. We are professionals. We know it will work.
A from Linda Mackenzie: We have God on our side.
Q to Derek Acorah: Are you going to be using your own EKG equipment, or will you allow independently controlled equipment to be brought in?
A: We will allow independently operated equipment to be used.
Q: How will you cause the heart to stop? Will you block or constrict an artery in some way?
A: Yes, we will constrict an artery.
Q: Will you be targeting a specific artery?
A: Yes.
Q: Which one?
A: We will close the valve. Q: Which one?
A: (no answer, as I was interrupted by one of the reporters.)
Q: How long will Mr. Randi's heart be stopped?
A: The details? (Interrupted by question from a reporter)
Q: Will you consider the experiment a success if Mr. Randi's heart skips a beat?
A: Yes, of course. This will be proof because this is not something that people can control themselves.
Q from fellow skeptic: A heart skipping a beat is not uncommon. It could happen without psychic intervention. You need to take some baseline measurements first.
A: We will take baseline measurements.
Q from fellow skeptic: I am willing to put down ten thousand dollars for some proof. Stop my heart right now.
A: Who are you? What would we gain? Your opinions or beliefs don't mean anything to us.
Q from fellow skeptic: All I want is to see it once.
Q from Dr. Montz to fellow skeptic: Let me ask you a question. Do you believe in God?
A: No.
(At this point, Linda Mackenzie threw up her hands and said, 'That's it! I'm out of here!' She returned a couple of minutes later).
Q from reporter: Why are you donating the money to the theater?
A: (long explanation about the history of the theater and how it is haunted by several ghosts)
Q from fellow skeptic: Can you show me a ghost inside (pointing toward the theater doors).
A: You wouldn't know a ghost if it slapped you in the face.
A from Linda Mackenzie: Your energy field will not allow the ghosts to show themselves to you.
Q: from fellow skeptic: Oh, so these ghosts are scared of people.
A from Linda Mackenzie: No, they're not scared, they are... (Interrupted by question from a reporter)
It worries me that they will claim success if your heart skips a beat. I would recommend that the details of the experiment include a blood pressure monitor, which will show dramatic change if an artery becomes constricted, but should not be affected by any electrical interference they may generate in order to throw off the EKG reading.
I can be contacted at fernando@chapa.com, or (310) 449-4368 if you have any questions about what happened at the news conference.
Keep up the good work.
-Fernando Chapa, fchapa@symantec.com
I went to the ISPR press conference today. There was about 15 people there but only 2 skeptics. The ISPR people claim that on the evening of Y2K they will make James Randi's heart stop! Randi has accepted the challenge (I verified that they had a fax coming from Randi's fax machine). I figure that will be something fun to do on Y2K. They refused to give specific test criteria and have not yet tried this on anyone yet! I reminded them of Randi's strong suggestion that they tried their claim first! Since the cameras were rolling I asked if they could stop my heart right there but they refused. I offered $100.00 on top of it but nobody even wanted to try. A theraputic touch healer present would not take on a simple test.
Looking at the personalities involved with the ISPR including a "Psychic to the stars and pet psychic", I'm not too worried. They all thought I was a plant from Randi since I'm a member of JREF!
I'm more concerned that this may turn out to be a non event. I want to have a good time on the evening of Y2K! Since only about 15 people showed up their press machine isn't well greased.
There were 4 press people there including KFWB and a reporter which I spoke at length form the Los Angeles Independent Newspaper Group named Pat McDonald. Several people had digital video cameras but I don't expect much of a production from this event.
If you want more info, write me back,
Francois Choquette
Here are some of the people I talked to:
LINDA MACKENZIE (She claims to have a radio show with an audience of 14 milion! I listen to the radio all the time and never heard of her.)
Linda Mackenzie is a former telecommunications engineer who designed and implemented world-wide communications networks for major airlines and Fortune 1000 companies around the globe. Today, Mackenzie is the President of Creative Health & Spirit, a growing company that manufactures and distributes alternative medicine and awareness products and services.
Realizing her enhanced psychic abilities at the age of eight, Mackenzie didn ’t harness and utilize her abilities until healing herself after a 1987 diagnosis of Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Winning national recognition and awards for her work in the “Who’s Who of American Women” and the “Who’s Who of Medicine and Healthcare”, Mackenzie is one of the most respected Psychic Healers, the author of several books, a USA radio talk show host and a clinical ypnotherapist.
When asked about a parallel between engineering and psychic ability, Linda answered, “As an engineer, I implemented methods to allow people to receive accurate information in a timely fashion using physical equipment. I do the same thing now, only on a personal level, using what I call ‘my God-given human equipment.’ Mackenzie’s next book, “How To Self-Publish and Market Your Personal Growth Book” will be released in 1999
DEREK ACORAH (Claims that Randi avoids him!)
Derek Acorah’s relatives discovered his enhanced abilities of clairaudience at the tender age of six, after Acorah relayed a message to his Grandmother from his Grandfather, a man who died five years before Acorah’s birth. But Acorah’s first passion as he grew older was soccer. By the age of 13, he was training with legendary Liverpool manager, Bill Shankly and was signed as a professional at 15. After he married and fathered two children, Acorah continued his professional soccer career in Australia, where he played for four years. A knee injury cut his career short and homesickness brought Acorah back to Liverpool, England. A small ad offering clairvoyant counseling was the beginning of world fame to Acorah as the U.K.’s leading Psychic Medium. Hollywood’s Burt Reynolds, Cher, Bette Midler and George Hamilton have all sought his company.
Acorah works with police agencies on missing children cases and homicides, is a weekly guest on two radio broadcasts and is the host of his own television series, “The Psychic Zone of Derek Acorah”, a smash hit seen throughout Europe on the Granada Breeze Sky Channel. Acorah accepted the appointment of ISPR Investigator in December 1998. Acorah’s biography by internationally best-selling author, John Sutton, is scheduled for worldwide release in September 1999.
Larry Montz (Very self assured, yet won't attempt to demonstrate his skills)
Larry Montz, Ph.D., founded the ISPR in 1972. Born in Rhode Island to a Military family, Montz learned strict disciplines early on. Educated in Catholic Schools for primary and secondary education, Montz questioned the information at every turn. His E.E. Degree and Post Graduate degrees in Parapsychology, pale when compared to his real life experiences, professionally and personally. Montz has had his salary requirements met in many capacities, from Telecommunications Consultant to foreign countries, to developing and installing the first Fiber Optics Network, installed at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans, to a multi year deal with Playboy's Hugh Hefner as Telecommunications and Security Systems Engineer, Private Investigator and Personal Bodyguard for Hefner, and Playmate Photographer. Running parallel to this incredible life, was the Paranormal side, Montz' study and work in the field of paranormal research.
With 27 years of professional experience, Montz is recognized worldwide, for developing and implementing the most progressive new concepts that have rocked the foundations of Parapsychology, the science that was officially adopted into the Academy in 1964. Montz continues to stay far in the forefront of revolutionizing Paranormal Field Research and the dissemination of this information through a continuous variety of international television and radio broadcast programming. Because of his own clairvoyant abilities, Montz became the first field Parapsychologist to develop studies of PSI in the field, as well as incorporate these enhanced abilities as additional methods of data collection. Montz has brought to together for the first time in history, the most talented, widely accomplished and knowledgeable experts in the field of paranormal research, on one Team. Montz is currently collaborating on a book of ISPR Investigations with Peter James and his own biography, written by international best-selling author, John Sutton, is scheduled for a December 1999 worldwide release. Montz is a partner with Daena Smoller and Film Director/Artist, Beeaje Quick, in the restoration project of the Vogue Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, part of the multi-billion dollar Hollywood Revitalization Project.