Assumptions

At TedTalks in 2007, James Randi stated that audiences easily make assumptions. He pointed out that what was assumed to be a microphone in his hand was actually a beard trimmer. Also, he was wearing empty spectacle frames and it was assumed by the audience that he was looking at them (which he could not without his real glasses)

Randi showed that people are easily fooled and deceived as they make assumptions. He described himself as a conjuror - a person who does clever tricks that appear to be magic. He began his career as a magician – as The Amazing Randi - and later devoted his life to investigating the ‘woo-woos’ - paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims.

While conjurors use tricks for an honest living by entertaining people, there are those with dishonest intent. The tricksters and psychics claim ownership of supernatural powers. Randi pointed out that the gullible were ruined financially and emotionally because they submit their money and their faith to such frauds.  

Randi passed away on 20 October, leaving behind a legacy of scientific scepticism. We must heed his analysis that assumptions lead to thoughtlessness and eventually being deceived. We must put every claim to the test. To assume without evidence is to stray from reasoning and our inherent cognitive capacities.  

We must not jump blindly onto assumptions as they take us to possible deceit. They stop us from taking responsibility of our life. They allow you to hide behind a single version of the story told by someone else. This means we give up rights of our part in the true story and surrender to the sufferance that comes from the assumptions.

Randi said assumptions lead you astray

to the arms of frauds, all set to betray!

- Pravin K. Sabnis