Comment Re:Magicians = authority figures on deception (Score 1) 175
Being a magician and a skeptic often go hand-in-hand, Houdini was well-famed as both. One of his main focuses was people purporting to talk to the spirit world. I believe he even went so far as offer a personal reward for someone who could show proof of someone communicating with the dead.
James Randi's foundation offers a million dollar prize to anyone who can show ESP or other "spirit" powers in a double-blind test. No-one has yet to actually apply and follow through. They usually back out at the last second and claim the test is flawed.