This is a special episode launching WTF Just Happened?!'s Million Dollar Consciousness Challenge of Gilead contest. This is a contest where WTF Just Happened?! will offer one million dollars to anyone who can prove, through a scientific, peer reviewed study that demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that consciousness is created in human beings at the moment of conception. Note this cannot be belief based, it must be scientifically valid.* 

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This challenge is inspired by the Amazing Randi's one million dollar challenge, where stage magician James Randi, offered one million dollars to anyone who demonstrated they had psychic, mediumship or any other "paranormal" abilities. No one ever won, which does not mean that no one has these abilities. That is another topic, which has been discussed on this podcast in Episode 14 - The Blue Lady of The Moss Beach Distillery with Parapsychologist Loyd Auerbach and Episode 8 - The Evidence that Convinced Two Skeptics There is an Afterlife with Darren McEnaney of Seeking I. 

There was another high money challenge that recently was proposed by Robert Bigelow of The Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies, offering up to $500,000 for the essay that provided the best evidence of an afterlife. The top three prizes went to: First place $500,000 was awarded to Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, 2nd Prize $300,000, Pim van Lommel M.D., 3rd Prize $150,000, Leo Ruickbie Ph.D. There were other awards given to those not in the top three, and their essays are worth reading. 

*This means that the scientific community would come to a consensus that this has been proven. Apparently in the United States of America, laws are being passed that apply to women (only in certain states who are only in certain socio-economic income brackets, where they cannot afford to take a day or two off and fly to another state) imposing this what can only now be interpreted as a religious belief. I would be curious to see if there is actual valid evidence that could prove this astronomical claim. To be eligible for the one million dollars, the scientific community must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt, as well as me that consciousness is created at conception. 

Get the book - WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey-skeptic explores grief, healing, and evidence of an afterlife. 

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