Penn & Teller's article on The Amazing Randi

Hey all,

It's Matt. When we launched this patreon, this is exactly the kind of content I was hoping provide. This article about to be published in Spectrum Magazine. You'll hear Penn attempt to read this on Wednesday's episode (spoiler alert: he doesn't get through it). As this is a private community, Penn felt it was okay to share here in advance. As always, please keep this to yourselves until it is properly published for the public. 

This is Penn & Teller writing together:

"The Amazing Randi

Penn & Teller

Randi proved so much.

Randi proved that you could be a magician and be honest. He proved that a conjurer could respect knowledge and people enough to get consent before thrilling them with gloriously fake miracles. You have to be more skilled to do magic honestly and Randi was that skilled. Randi’s first obsession was magic. The latter part of Randi’s life was spent helping the world see through those who prey on grief and false hope, but he never lost his magic chops. He could fool anyone, anytime, anywhere. Randi was a great magician.

Randi proved that we all have to work together towards understanding our universe. We need experimental scientists to invent and follow protocols. We need theoretical thinkers who can create ideas to try to explain what we observe. And we also need streetwise scholars who can educate us in the ways of liars and charlatans. Magical tutors who can school us in all the ways we can accidently fool ourselves. Randi shared his erudition even with people who were reluctant to learn. He was always helping get to the truth.

Randi proved being a skeptic is fun. The skeptical community into which Randi came was full of serious scholars. Excellent scientists, but not really showmen. Randi convinced the world that the skeptical approach is a blast. He wrote and performed with joyful, stinging, defiant wit. He gave skepticism all the fun and romance of a daredevil magic show. He showed how advocating science can be wicked fun, rebellious, full of high adventure, spy-movie derring-do and laughs.

Randi proved you could be skeptical without ever being cynical. Randi never hypothesized the worst in people. He never gave up on humanity. He didn’t believe in evil. He trusted and he loved. He was always kind.

Randi was the world’s most famous skeptic, but he was never skeptical of love. Randi knew it existed and Randi’s whole being proved it. Love was in Randi’s eyes and his smile. Randi had love enough for everyone.

Randi is now proving that we can all live on after death. Our hearts and minds will stay full of Randi until our last breaths. Penn’s children’s lives are better for knowing and loving Randi. There are many thousands of us who shared Randi’s life directly. And there are many millions more whose world was made better by Randi in every medium. That won’t stop. His wisdom, genius, and love will live on for a good long time.

Randi proved to us that we really can make the world better. He did it.

QED."