Released on: May 13, 2008, 5:14 am

Press Release Author: Joni Johnston

Industry: Industrial

Press Release Summary: Noted Skeptic, James Randi has decided not to participate in
ongoing research investigating Dr. Rupert Sheldrake telepathic dog claims.

Press Release Body:
Del Mar, CA, May 13, 2008 -- James Randi has a reputation of taking on challengers
who claim psychic abilities, but his recent negotiations with a team of researchers
investigating whether dogs are telepathic has ended in a stalemate. According to
Skeptiko host and research sponsor, Alex Tsakiris, Randi's about-face came as a
surprise:

".this is exactly the kind of independent research, by a major university, James
Randi has been calling for. We even agreed to forgo the million dollar prize he
offers in order to secure his involvement and resolve this question scientifically,
but he refused."

Tsakiris' negotiations with Randi began in September of 2007, when Randi appeared on
the Skeptiko Podcast and called for an independent investigation into claims of
canine telepathy. In April of 2008, Skeptiko released a video showing the
successful results of their first trial. Commenting on the future of the research,
Tsakiris added:

".of course the research will go forward. The real question is whether claims of
unexplained canine to human communications are true. Our preliminary findings
suggest they are, but much more work needs to be done before we'll have a definitive
answer."

James Randi, and the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) offer a Million
Dollar Challenge to those demonstrating telepathy, ESP or other psi phenomena. In
recent years, James Randi has been an outspoken critic of research suggesting dogs
have a telepathic ability that allows them to know when their owners are coming
home.

About Skeptiko.com
Skeptiko is the first scientifically oriented Podcast exploring new research in
controversial areas of science such as telepathy, psi, parapsychology,
near-death-experience, reincarnation, and after-life encounters. Each episode
features open, honest debate on new scientific discoveries. The show includes
interviews with top research scientists and their critics.
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Contact:
Joni Johnston
Skeptiko.com
Del Mar, CA
(858) 225-7554
pr@skeptiko.com
http://www.skeptiko.com



Web Site: http://www.skeptiko.com

Contact Details: Joni Johnston
Skeptiko.com
Del Mar, CA
(858) 225-7554
pr@skeptiko.com
http://www.skeptiko.com