Everyone's favorite psychic debunkerhas decided to take on my own favorite junk-science hobby, high-end hi-fi. James Randi is offering $1 million to anyone who can prove a $7500 cable is any better than an $80 one.

I was just getting started in the hobby when Monster Cable made its debut. Until that point, the "big secret" of stereo gear was .25c/ft. lamp cord you got from the hardware store. Half a dozen double-blind tests from the likes of Stereo Review and Hi-Fi (back before Monster Cable became a major ad buyer) showed zero difference between this pedestrian staple and the $20/ft stuff available from MC.

Twenty-five years later, absolutely nothing has changed. While I don't actually use lamp cord (it's not exactly an attractive choice), I have no qualms whatever buying the much cheaper store-brand cables and wire. I also have zero sympathy with the sales drone who tries to sell me something fancier. It's simply not worth it because it doesn't matter. Really!

But hey, it's your money. Who knows how many Chinese workers are being kept employed by loons purchasing hyper-expensive copper wire?