Legendary skeptic James Randi devoted his life to debunking frauds and investigating paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.

Why you should listen

James Randi gained an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but he is perhaps best known as the world's most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.

Randi pursued "psychic" spoonbenders, exposed the dirty tricks of faith healers, investigated homeopathic water "with a memory" and was generally a thorn in the sides of those trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes in the name of the supernatural. He received numerous awards and recognitions, including a MacArthur "genius" grant in 1986. He authored numerous books, including The Truth About Uri GellerThe Faith HealersFlim-Flam! and An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural.

In 1996, the James Randi Education Foundation was established to further Randi's work.

James Randi’s TED talk