Center for Inquiry Investigations Group
| File:CFIIG logo.png | |
| Abbreviation | CFIIG |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | IIG |
| Formation | January 2000 |
| Type | Non-profit educational organization |
| Headquarters | CFIIG LA, Hollywood, California, with one affiliate: CFIIG San Francisco Bay area |
| Leader | James Underdown |
Parent organization | CFI |
| Website | cfiig |
The Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG), formerly the Independent Investigations Group (IIG),[1] is the largest paranormal investigation group in the world, with allied groups and field investigators in the United States, Canada, the UK, Italy, Australia, South Africa, and Germany.[1] It investigates fringe science, paranormal and extraordinary claims from a rational, scientific viewpoint, and disseminates factual information about such inquiries to the public, and offers a $250,000 prize to anyone who can "prove paranormal ability, under scientific testing conditions".[1][2]:43:15
While the CFIIG conducts scientifically based experiments, its membership is composed primarily of lay-people. Members' collective professional experience includes the fields of architecture, archeology, education, electronics, engineering, film making, law enforcement, medicine, psychology, and visual effects.
James Underdown founded the volunteer-based organization in January 2000 at the Center for Inquiry-West (now Center for Inquiry – Los Angeles) in Hollywood, California, and acts as its executive director.
High profile investigations[edit]
Power Balance bracelets[edit]
On October 28, 2010, Olympic Champion Gymnast Dominique Dawes, working for Yahoo Weekend News and with the Independent Investigations Group, tested Power Balance bracelets for their claim that they improve balance, flexibility and strength. She states, "The fact is, all athletes know that nothing can replace good old-fashioned hard work—practice, practice, practice...Can a silicone wristband with a hologram sticker really give you an added edge?" According to IIG investigator Dave Richards, "There was one 'legitimate' Power Balance bracelet, and 3 'sham' bracelets that had had the hologram removed from them. The experiment was double-blinded, all bracelets were wrapped with tape so no one present knew which bracelet was real and which were fakes." One of the control bracelets contained PEZ candy. "Neither the participants nor the people recording the scores knew which bracelet was which until after all participants had completed their runs and their scores were recorded." From Wendy Hughes' report, "The claim was that if the hologram worked, the speed of the participants would increase, and it would show on the graph. But it didn't. Out of 64 heats, 16 participants using 4 bracelets in 4 random heats, the results were almost flat. The main result was that if there was any change, the familiarity with the course caused a slight increase in efficiency. The Pez didn't make a difference either." Dawes' conclusion is that superstition makes the Power Balance bracelets seem to work.[3][4][5][6]
Anita Ikonen[edit]
On November 21, 2009, the IIG administered a preliminary demonstration for IIG Paranormal Challenge applicant Anita Ikonen. The demonstration consisted of three trials, wherein Ikonen was faced with six people who were sitting away from her, and whose faces were obscured. In each of the three trials, one person was known to be missing a kidney. That meant that of 12 possible kidneys, one was missing. Ikonen had to determine which kidney was missing. On her sheet, she was to mark which kidney was missing (right or left) on the diagram of the person corresponding to the kidney. She had to choose correctly on all three trials in order to succeed, and move on to a formal test which, if she was successful, would earn her $50,000. Ikonen did not succeed. She chose incorrectly on trial one, chose correctly on trial two, and chose incorrectly on trial three. She failed the Preliminary Demonstration and this failure falsified her claim to be able to see inside of the human body and accurately determine if a person is missing a kidney or not.[7]
Electric mind control[edit]
IIG tested an applicant who claimed to be able to "influence electricity with [his] mind." and control the intensity of a light bulb. The subject was placed in a darkroom with a frosted-glass incandescent light bulb mounted on a tripod, and a light meter was pointed at a large white board mounted behind the bulb. The subject was not allowed to touch or approach the apparatus. The agreed-upon threshold for a successful test was to achieve ten out of fifteen trials in which the subject had two minutes to vary the meter reading either up or down by 3 exposure value (EV) settings. During the first six trials, the light meter failed to move more than 0.1EV, after which the test was terminated. Afterwards, the subject explained that "Whenever I'm just, like, driving around [...] when there's a light, like, flickering [...] just focus on it, and it just happens". The IIG concluded that "There is no evidence from this demonstration that Subject possesses psychic ability."[8]
Others[edit]
Owen Hammer and James Underdown report on the ongoing investigation into California nursing standards concerning teaching therapeutic touch as continuing education units (CEUs).[9]
The Independent Investigative Group looked into 14 cases Carla Baron claims to have assisted detectives on, including JonBenét Ramsey, Elizabeth Smart and Nicole Brown Simpson. In all 14 cases the IIG contacted the police (or in the case of Nicole Simpson, they received an email from Denise Brown) all mostly saying the same things, "we have never heard of this person" or "the information provided (by Baron) did not produce any new leads in the investigation". IIG's conclusion is that she has never provided any help in any investigation, and her claims stating such are unsubstantiated.[10][11]
In 2003 the IIG attended a taping of James Van Praagh's syndicated series Beyond, in order to document the difference between what actually occurred at the taping and how it appeared on TV after editing. As suspected, there were many significant differences, and the IIG concluded that Van Praagh’s power emanates from the editing room.[12][13]"[14]
IIG tested Sparky the "wonder dog" and deduced that the dog was reacting to movements from his owner Gordie Rosenberg and not to telepathy as was claimed. Also discussed in this article by newspaper New Times Los Angeles, Inc. are tests of Mark Joramo and his telekinesis foil flap device (failed test, air movement from Joramo's hand made the flap move) and dowser Frank Mashenko (failed test, ideomotor effect).[15]
Paranormal prize[edit]
The CFIIG offers $250,000 to anyone who can demonstrate paranormal abilities.[2] The CFIIG is involved in designing the test protocol, approving the conditions under which a test will take place, and in administering the actual test .[16] The CFIIG is involved in designing the test protocol, approving the conditions under which a test will take place, and in administering the actual test.[16] All tests are designed with the participation and approval of the applicant.
When CFIIG first began the challenge, they expected a deluge of applications from people trying to win using deception.[17] In most cases, the applicant is asked to perform a simple preliminary demonstration of the claimed ability, which if successful is followed by the formal test. Associates of the CFIIG usually conduct both tests and preliminary demonstrations at their location in Hollywood or affiliates.
Many people have unsuccessfully attempted to win the prize.[18] Of the 100 to 150 applications received by CGIIG, only a handful make it to the testing phase. Most won’t agree to the proposed testing criteria or they stop responding to emails asking about the details of their talents.[17]
The Center receives applications from all over the world and applicants make all kinds of claims. James Underdown says they all have one thing in common: they sincerely believe they possess abilities that science can’t explain. “One hundred percent of the people we’ve tested completely believe in their own ability.”[17]
In September of 2019, the IIG challenged Tyler Henry, the reality star of the TV show Hollywood Medium, to prove his psychic powers, but as of March 2021, the IIG have yet to receive a response.[19]
The IIG Awards[edit]
In 2005, the IIG created an annual "awards program to recognize the promotion of Scientific and Critical Thinking in mainstream entertainment." The membership selects by vote the media programs from the previous year that are the "best and worst examples of scientific and critical thinking." The good award winners are "affectionately referred to as the 'Iggies'." The program(s) voted the worst are called 'The Truly Terrible Television' winners. Its counterpart in the movie category is given the 'Mostly Miserable Movie certificate'.
In conjunction with the media awards, an inductee is selected for the "Houdini Hall of Honor" award for "substantial career devotion". Named in honor of Harry Houdini who is considered a role-model to the CFIIG as a paranormal investigator who educated his audience through the media. All honorees are listed on a plaque that is displayed at the Steve Allen Theater. The first award ceremony happened in 2007 for media released in 2006, all presentations have been open to the public, the MC has been the chair and founder of the IIG, James Underdown. All have taken place at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood.[20]
Iggie award winners[edit]
The 2007 winners of the IIG Awards were The Simpsons, for the episode "The Monkey Suit", and Psych, for its pilot episode. Accepting for The Simpsons was "The Monkey Suit" episode's writer J. Stewart Burns, and accepting for Psych was staff writer Daniel Hsia.
The June 23, 2008, IIG Awards included In the Shadow of the Moon received by Producer Duncan Copp, (Discovery Films), Phenomenon received by Producers Michael Agrabian and Dwight Smith (NBC), South Park (Comedy Central), Is It Real? (National Geographic), and Penn and Teller's Bullshit! (Showtime).
On May 18, 2009, IIG presented awards to actress Amanda Peet for her pro-vaccine work, other honorees included The Mythbusters, Bill Maher's Religulous, and Lewis Black's Root of All Evil.
On August 21, 2010, the IIG honored several key members for their involvement in the skeptical field, Wendy Hughes, Ross Blocher and David Richards. Also recognized for their contributions to critical thinking and skepticism were Eugenie Scott, Carol Tavris, Brian Dunning, Harriet Hall, Michael Shermer, Mr. Deity's Brian Keith Dalton, Eureka and The Mentalist.[21]
Dr. Dean Edell, for his many contributions in radio, TV, and publishing and Phil Plait’s Bad Universe, (Discovery Channel) were the 2011 "Iggies" award winners. Presenters were Ron Lynch and Stevie Ray Fromstein. Music provided by LA3Way.
In 2012 Tim Minchin, CBS's Big Bang Theory, Science Channel's Through the Wormhole and Comedy Central's South Park were selected for Iggies. A special honoree Snopes.com was also recognized for its skeptical informational website. Hosts, Matt Kirshen, Kelly Carlin, Ron Lynch, Emery Emery and Frank Conniff. Music provided by Gary Stockdale with Scott Breadman. In his recorded acceptance speech Minchin stated that he was honored but felt "rather silly, because you are the people that write all the information and material that I steal and repackage it using rhymes and feed it back to you, to my financial and personal gain. And you give me an award as well. That's almost like I'm running a scam here."[22] Penny Chan from The Skeptic Zone interviews Jim Turner, Mark Edward and musician Gary Stockdale.[23]
Truly Terrible Television (TTTV) award winners[edit]
Regarding the TTTV awards, Neil deGrasse Tyson stated that he is "glad that you are giving the dubious pseudoscience awards, somebody has to call this stuff out. I sure as hell don't have the time or patience to reason someone out of a point of view that reason itself was never invoked to acquire."[24]
In 2007, the Truly Terrible Television Awards were given to Court TV's Psychic Detectives, and to the Montel Williams show for every episode featuring Sylvia Browne. In 2008 The Truly Terrible Television Award was presented to Paranormal State (A&E) and Ghost Hunters (Syfy).
In 2011, the Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Oz were awarded the TTTV awards. Special appearance by Emery Emery as the Dr. Oz/Oprah producer.
In 2012, Ancient Aliens on the History Channel was the sole recipient of the TTTV award.
Houdini Hall of Honor Award[edit]
Lifetime achievement awards went posthumously to Harry Houdini (Erik Weisz) and Carl Sagan. Ann Druyan sent a letter acknowledging the recognition and thanked IIG for the lifetime achievement award presented to Carl Sagan.[25]
James Randi was honored for exceptional ongoing achievement by his induction into the "Houdini Hall of Honor" in 2008. Presenters Julia Sweeney, Dean Cameron and comedian Paul Provenza were also in attendance.[26]
In 2009 the "Houdini Hall of Honor" award went to career paranormal expert Joe Nickell who was present at the ceremony. Celebrity presenters included Root of All Evil's Kathleen Madigan, The Aristocrats' Paul Provenza, Mystery Science Theater 3000's Frank Conniff, and comedian Dana Gould.[27]
Martin Gardner received the "Houdini Hall of Honor" in 2010. Isaac Asimov and Ray Hyman were inducted in 2011.[28]
The 2012, IIG awarded the "Houdini Hall of Honor" award to Neil deGrasse Tyson. In his acceptance video he stated that he was honored to be inducted and also to share the award ceremony with Through the Wormhole, Big Bang Theory and South Park they give him "hope for the future of America and for the world."[24]
The Odds Must Be Crazy[edit]
Launched July 2011, the coincidence website features stories submitted by its readers and guest editorials by mentalist Mark Edward, Barbara Drescher, skeptic Kylie Sturgess and entertainer George Hrab.[29] Jarrett Kaufman and Wendy Hughes founded The Odds Must Be Crazy in April 2010[30] and on April 25, 2012, it became a recurring segment on the Skepticality podcast.[31][32][33] The Odds Must Be Crazy is no longer associated with the IIG but with the Skeptic Ink Network.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "CFIIG: About". CFIIG.org. CFI. Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 "POINT OF INQUIRY podcast: Dec. 12, 2019". pointofinquiry.org/. CFI. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ↑ Dawes, Dominique. "Do Power Balance wristbands work? - Yahoo! News". News.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ "IIG Power Balance Experiment". Iigwest.com. 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ↑ "Power Bracelets a Bust in IIG Test". Skeptical Inquirer. November 11, 2010. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ↑ Underdown, James (January–February 2012). "Power Balance Bracelets a Bust in Tests". Skeptical Inquirer. CSICOP. 36 (1): 14–16.
- ↑ "The Anita Ikonen Report". Iigwest.com. 2010-08-21. Archived from the original on 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2011-12-03. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ IIG. "Light Bulb Luminosity Demonstration". Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Center For Inquiry. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ↑ "State Sponsored Quackery Feng Shui and Snake Oil for California Nurses". November–December 2009. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ↑ Hammer, Owen, Carla Baron, Psychic Detective?, retrieved June 9, 2011
- ↑ Hart, Brian (September–October 2006). "Carla Baron, Psychic Detective? Not Quite= Skeptical Inquirer". 30 (5). Committee for Skeptical Inquiry: 5.
- ↑ Underdown, James (Sep–Oct 2003). "TV psychics John Edward and John Van Praagh". Skeptical Inquirer. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. 27 (5): 41–45.
- ↑ "How come TV psychics seem so convincing?". The Straight Dope. 2003-11-18. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
- ↑ "Putting Psychics to the Test". Chicago Tribune. 2011-09-21. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
- ↑ "Psychic Mutt Discovered!". New Times Los Angeles. January 25, 2001. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 16.0 16.1 Dunning, Brian. "Skeptoid #372: Prove Your Supernatural Power and Get Rich". Skeptoid. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Purtill, Corinne. "Hex Factor: Inside the Group Offering $250,000 for Proof of Superpowers". OneZero. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "IIG Challenge". Iigwest.org. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-11-04. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Tyler Henry Still Silent after $250,000 Offer from L.A. Skeptics". cfiig.org. Center for Inquiry, Inc. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "About the IIG Awards". IIG. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ "IIG | The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ "Skeptics at Annual Awards Ceremony". Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ "The Skeptic Zone #206". Retrieved 2012-10-02.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 deGrasse Tyson, Neil. "Neil deGrasse Tyson inducted into the Houdini Hall of Honor at the IIG Awards". Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ "IIG | The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ↑ "IIG | The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ↑ "IIG | The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ↑ Hyman, Ray. "IIG Award:Ray Hyman 2011". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2012-09-30. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Guest Editorials". The Odds Must Be Crazy. IIG. Archived from the original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2012-04-25. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The Odds Must Be Crazy". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
- ↑ "Episode: August 19th, 2014". Skepticality. Segment begins at 24:20. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ Derek Colanduno. "Episode 181: Unnatural Evolution Is A Funny Thing". Skepticality. Skeptic Magazine. Retrieved 2012-04-25.
- ↑ "Skepticality Episode 181: The Odds Must be Crazy". IIG. Archived from the original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2012-04-25. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
External links[edit]
Media related to CFIIG (Center for Inquiry Investigations Group) at Wikimedia Commons- IIG Atlanta – Official website of IIG Atlanta
- The Center For Inquiry – Los Angeles – Official website
- Hollywood Reality Check – Official Website
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