NEW EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION STARTED BY JAMES RANDI James Randi, the well-known researcher and magician, announced in April the formation of a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational foundation, named the James Randi Educational Foundation and located in Florida. Its purpose is to conduct and/or finance original, basic research into paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims. With the help of scientists, engineers and other experts, the foundation will design experimental protocols for critically examining the claims, and will publicize the results of the inquiries. Classes and seminars will be conducted for the public, and scholarships will be offered for student projects. Plans call for a 7000 square-foot facility that will house offices, an extensive book, photograph, audio and video library with reference and lending capabilities, and a World Wide Web server that will provide high-speed Internet access for researchers, students, and the media. The editors reached James Randi for a brief telephone interview. Q.- Organizations with goals similar to yours, most notably CSICOP, exist in the country. Isn't there the potential for conflict? A.- No, we are all after the same thing: to bring rationality to modern society, to act as pro-science organizations, to educate the public. Q.- What about competition for the limited public financial support that is available? A.- CSICOP is supported by the income from The Skeptical Inquirer, and by donations. The Randi Foundation is independently funded. That doesn't mean I will not be seeking grants and donations. I don't think there will be serious competition for funds. Q.- Carl Sagan, in his latest book, The Demon-Haunted World, is very complimentary about your past activities, but also mildly chastises you for sometimes being "intolerant and condescending, lacking in empathy for the human frailties that underlie credulity." Are you? A.- That is his opinion of my attitude. Frankly, I lose patience with the arrogance of non-thinkers out there; the ones who think any idea is as valid as any other idea. I am not impatient with ignorance, only with stupidity. Q.- Your battle with self-proclaimed psychic Yuri Geller ended successfully, but was probably quite draining for you emotionally and financially. Are we now seeing a reinvigorated Randi? A.- Yes, you are seeing a financially reinvigorated Randi. The court case was not emotionally draining but it did take almost all of the MacArthur grant, and the loss of these funds put a dent in my activities. I am very grateful to my sponsors. They came out of nowhere and approached me because they liked the things I did. They want me to champion rational thinking in "my way." They wish to remain anonymous because they believe charity is best done without personal recognition. Q.- Will a newsletter or journal be published in the near future? A.- Eventually. We plan to put out a newsletter first, which will in time grow into a journal. The focus will be different from that of the Skeptical Inquirer. But this is some time away. Q.- Will you be open to applications for money to support Science Fair projects by high school students? A.- Yes, we are currently drawing up our criteria for awarding grants in support of research. We are open to applications from students and adults. We will be announcing the criteria and application procedures later in the year. Q.- How can the Foundation be reached for information? A.- Our mailing address is James Randi Educational Foundation, 201 S. E. Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1815. Our Internet address is http:\\www.randi.org. Q.- Besides money, what can interested persons do to support your efforts? A.- Speak up, write letters, protest. Let NBC and its sponsors know that you dislike the networks' anti-science attitude. Criticize the anti-rational thinking that appears on radio, TV and in the newspapers. Speak up at school board meetings in support of teachers who bring well-substantiated material into the classroom and avoid discussing fairies, astrology, etc. I will be speaking out on many of these issues; add your voice to mine.