Author: Jim Underdown
Jim Underdown is executive director of the Center for Inquiry–Los Angeles, and the founder of the Independent Investigations Group.
$250,000 Remains Unclaimed: CFI Investigators Recount a Year of Applicants
The Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) currently administers the world’s largest active paranormal challenge at $250,000 (the James Randi Education Foundation $1 Million Challenge has been dormant for years). Many dozens of people apply for this prize every year. This requires quite a bit of work on the part of the CFIIG’s first responder …
The Salton Sea Flat Earth Test: When Skeptics Meet Deniers
Today, skeptics fight not only false assertions and misinterpretation of facts but also a fundamental distrust of science and a deep-seated paranoia about reputable institutions lying to the entire culture.
This article is available for free to all.Are Skeptics Psychic?
It might seem odd to choose a hotel full of skeptics to be the subject of a test of psychic ability, but then again, who’s to say that skeptics themselves aren’t endowed with such talent—one perhaps they would themselves be loath to acknowledge?
Skeptical Ambassador
Sometimes we become so embroiled in our own affairs that we forget there are skeptic and humanist allies all over the world and things to see that underscore our causes. And so I was reminded on a recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa via London, England.
IIG at IAC
On November 13, 2014, a few representatives from the Independent Investigations Group (IIG) in Los Angeles visited Culver City, California, one of the three U.S. locations for the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC).
Dr. Phil and the Hummingbird
A medium made a seemingly impressive guess about a hummingbird on a national television talk show. A follow-up investigation finds it not so striking after all—for the birds, in fact.
This article is available for free to all.Jim Underdown represents CSI at ConDor XX
From March 8 – 12, 2013, I attended and spoke at ConDor XX, a sci/fi and fantasy conference at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego.
13 Is Their Lucky Number
The IIG is—we believe—the largest paranormal investigations team in the world. With affiliate groups in several states and a Canadian province, we are in the process of creating an international network of trained investigators who will not only look into paranormal, fringe science, and extraordinary claims in their own regions, but also administer the IIG $50,000 Challenge.
IIG Visits the Wonderful World of Woo at Para-Con
Any good skeptic should touch down in an alien world like Para-Con every now and then, so there were good reasons for us to attend the convention…
State-Sponsored Quackery Feng Shui and Snake Oil for California Nurses
This article is available for free to all.
Achau Nguyen Test
On July 23, The Independent Investigations Group, in conjunction with the JREF, conducted a test of alleged telepathic ability.