The Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) Paranormal Challenge offers an opportunity to win a prize of $500,000 to anyone capable of demonstrating their paranormal, supernatural, or magical abilities under controlled scientific conditions. The history of this challenge began in 1964 when the renowned skeptic James Randi initiated tests on paranormal phenomena with an initial prize of $1,000. Over time, the prize amount increased to one million dollars.
The idea was for any person capable of demonstrating their paranormal or supernatural abilities under strict and controlled conditions to receive a monetary reward. The task attracted numerous applicants from various fields, but none succeeded in passing the tests set by James Randi. In 2015, Randi announced that he was withdrawing the prize as no participant could prove their supernatural abilities.
Recently, the CFIIG organization has taken on the idea of continuing similar challenges, increasing the prize to $500,000. CFIIG collaborates with applicants to develop a testing protocol and establish conditions under which the testing will take place. Typically, applicants are initially invited to unofficially demonstrate their claimed abilities, and if successful, an official test follows, conducted by representatives of CFIIG.
The history of the Lightning Man Trials
Perhaps for the first time, skeptics tested a contender for the prize in the field of paranormal phenomena during the pandemic. On Saturday, June 20, 2020, the Research Group of the Center for Investigations tested a candidate for participation in our Paranormal Challenge with a prize of $250,000. Representatives of CFIIG at the CFI West parking lot included Jim U., Jim N., Spencer M., Paula L., Mike S., Michael B., and Armen K. Several other members of the group observed the gathering via Zoom using a laptop set on a chair in the parking lot.
The applicant, TR, agreed to meet with CFIIG for an unofficial demonstration of some of his abilities. The unofficial demonstration may precede an official challenge for a quarter-million dollars, consisting of two parts when the claim or assertions need clarification and/or when additional explanations are required from the applicant's online application and correspondence. TR had been in contact with the group for many months and mentioned several different paranormal abilities. This demonstration was an attempt to narrow down the scope of his claims and personally see what he was talking about.
The applicant's statement, consisting of three parts, included the emission of static electricity from his hands, creating lightning in the sky, and teleportation for 3 or more feet. Jim Underdown spoke with TR on the phone earlier in the week and agreed to a Saturday meeting at noon at CFI. Underdown had previously checked the weather forecast to ensure that there were no thunderstorms predicted in Los Angeles.
Doing everything possible to practice social distancing and wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, we set up a couple of chairs in the parking lot and stretched a blue tarp over them, forming a barrier. We thought this barrier would create a more obvious separation between where TR began and the teleportation demonstration ended. TR arrived a little after 12:00, was greeted, and passed through a metal detector.
This is a standard procedure for all applicants, especially regarding claims (such as emitting electricity from hands) that may be associated with the use of fraudulent technology. Jim reiterated that this was not a real test but rather an effort to give us a better idea of what he could do. TR was also informed that the entire procedure would be photographed, recorded on video, and audiotaped.
After being introduced to the tarp barrier, TR said that he "cannot pass through objects" and reminded us that he presumably transitions to teleportation. Shortly after that, he explained what he meant and circumvented the barrier with abrupt movements. He asked us if we had seen teleportation, and we replied that we hadn't. We only saw a person walking. We offered to show him the just-recorded video with him, but he refused to watch it.
We then moved on to TR's statement that he can emit electricity from his hands and send lightning into the sky. TR told us that he presumably listened to music to generate a charge. We watched his hands and the sky above us as TR closed his eyes and listened to his headphones. We did not notice any lightning in the sky or sparks emanating from his hands. He claimed to see it, but we and the video cameras did not. TR talked about the origin of his abilities, black magic, God, and other thoughts about his abilities. Jim inquired about the rehabilitation centers TR had been in and whether he received any medications for what he experienced. TR said he was there to quit cocaine and did not mention taking medication for schizophrenia or any other illness. CFIIG and TR parted amicably after it was decided that no paranormal abilities had been demonstrated.
***In February 2023, the prize amount was increased to $500,000
Submit a $500,000 challenge request
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