1.    What importance do sensation and perception have in the “real world?”

1.    What importance do sensation and perception have in the “real world?”

 

and complete the next section two .. 3 question below

 

 

II.  As an investigator of unusual claims, James Randi is accustomed to being confronted with incredible examples of medieval thinking in the modern age. A good example is the recent worldwide fascination with a black-and-white film on TV, which purported to show the dissection of an alien from outer space. The TV network that broadcast this film reportedly paid $100,000 for this “cinematic miracle,” which was hailed by UFO fans as conclusive proof of the existence of extraterrestrial beings. “The film was so inherently flawed,” scoffs Randi, “that even I was amazed at the fact that anyone could accept it. This film, which should have changed the course of history, is now relegated to the vast gallery of embarrassing mistakes.”

In this exercise you will visit several Web sites that are devoted to the scientific, and not-so-scientific, study of psychic phenomena. Because you will be exposed to both sides of the issue, your exploration will encourage you to think critically about your own beliefs regarding paranormal phenomena.

To guide your research, here’s the Web site address for the James Randi Educational Foundation. Begin your exploration here, and use the site’s hyperlinks to visit other relevant Web pages.

http://www.randi.org/

1. What is the “paranormal challenge?” Has anyone taken Randi up on his offer? Why is Randi confident that his money is safe?

2. Why do so many people believe in the existence of psychic phenomena? Why is this ready acceptance of “nonsense as mere harmless aberrations” potentially dangerous?

3. What is a “cold reading?”  How does this technique work?