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28th January 2015, 04:29 AM | #1 |
Nitpicking dilettante
Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Berkshire, mostly
Posts: 57,667
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The Amazing Randi steps down
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The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 Ezekiel 23:20 |
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28th January 2015, 04:30 AM | #2 |
121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 42,180
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Didn't see that coming.
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Guns that are instantly available for use are instantly available for misuse. World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Buying conspiracy books is a voluntary tax on stupid. |
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28th January 2015, 04:42 AM | #3 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Istanbul...again
Posts: 3,103
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James Randi retires from JREF
Quote:
Eighty-six seems like a good age to slow things down. Enjoy your retirement Mr. Randi. |
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"... no man wants his obituary to mention a pig." --phiwum “Limp Bizkit did nothing wrong.”- Chalkman |
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28th January 2015, 04:55 AM | #4 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 29,167
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86? That's amazing.
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28th January 2015, 04:58 AM | #5 |
Master Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,585
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Thank you Mr. Randi. Enjoy!
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"All is needed (and it is essential to my definitions) is to understand the actuality beyond the description, for example: Nothing is actually" - Doron Shadmi "But this means you actually have nothing." - Realpaladin --- |
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28th January 2015, 05:09 AM | #6 |
beer-swilling semiliterate
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Connecticut, or King Arthur's Court. Hard to tell sometimes.
Posts: 25,791
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Well done, Mr. Randi. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.
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28th January 2015, 05:23 AM | #7 |
Troublesome Passenger
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 21,844
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Good for him.
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Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, So do our minutes hasten to their end . . . WS |
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28th January 2015, 05:23 AM | #8 |
121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 42,180
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__________________
Guns that are instantly available for use are instantly available for misuse. World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Buying conspiracy books is a voluntary tax on stupid. |
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28th January 2015, 05:58 AM | #9 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 29,167
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Once the forum left, there was really no reason to continue.
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28th January 2015, 06:14 AM | #10 |
Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 32,812
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He can't be 86! I've been following him since the weekly email newsletters in the late '90s, and remember when he just turned 70.
Oh. |
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"Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales now! More, cheaper, better games, right? Right? |
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28th January 2015, 06:20 AM | #11 |
Muse
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 515
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Am sure I am just one of many who have been inspired to do skeptical stuff by Randi. My guess is that he is singlehandedly responsible for a great many doing the same, including many far more distinguished and effective than moi.
I hope that we will see tributes pour in for his long service to a great and vital cause. Good on yer Mr Amazing! |
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"Let's stop being so damned respectful." Richard Dawkins, TED 2002[ |
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28th January 2015, 06:49 AM | #12 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,084
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Luckily, he'll be at TAM this year, as will I.
I suspect this is the end of the JREF. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if they merged it with the Skeptic Society. It's been discussed in the past. |
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If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him. Lupus is Lupus tor central scrutineezer |
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28th January 2015, 10:03 AM | #13 |
Nitpicking dilettante
Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Berkshire, mostly
Posts: 57,667
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The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 Ezekiel 23:20 |
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28th January 2015, 10:04 AM | #14 |
Sum of all evils tm
Join Date: May 2007
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He's back!
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28th January 2015, 10:53 AM | #15 |
Philosopher
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Location: N.Cal/S.Or
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I was thinking this yesterday after reading the latest post in the "What's up with the JREF site?" thread. No real news, no updates, no traffic, etc. I thought... hell, he should just semi-retire and take it a bit easier at this point.
86 and a monster run for skepticism... well done Randi. All the best. |
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---------------------- Anything goes in the Goblin hut... anything. "Suggesting spurious explanations isn't relevant to my work." -- WTC Dust. "Both cannot be simultaneously true, and so one may conclude neither is true, and if neither is true, then Apollo is fraudulent." -- Patrick1000. |
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28th January 2015, 11:26 AM | #16 |
Critical Thinker
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 365
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Randi has nothing to do with the web site. It's currently difficult to get new material, I have repeatedly asked. I only run the website part-time and can not (and should not) provide a big portion of the content. If you would like to contribute... editor@randi.org
As you might imagine, this is a time of transition for the org. It's not the end of the JREF. This upcoming TAM will include a celebration of Mr. Randi and his extraordinary contributions. Planning that event is the current focus. |
28th January 2015, 12:23 PM | #17 |
Penultimate Amazing
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Thanks, Sharon. We can't help being concerned.
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Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant. |
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28th January 2015, 02:07 PM | #18 |
Gentleman of leisure
Tagger
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Location: Flying around in the sky
Posts: 28,091
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Will the name change? Or will it be something that has a name that has outlived its relevance?
Edit. James Randi has changed the way we think. Several scams would have gone on for years longer unchallenged but for him. |
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This signature is for rent. |
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28th January 2015, 04:26 PM | #19 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,084
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If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him. Lupus is Lupus tor central scrutineezer |
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28th January 2015, 05:10 PM | #20 |
not a camel
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 85,730
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Where's the one million dollars?
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28th January 2015, 05:11 PM | #21 |
Banned
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Location: Ivory Tower
Posts: 20,632
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28th January 2015, 08:03 PM | #22 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 10,293
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Though I was still in my early teens back then, I can point to my reading Randi's book on Uri Geller (I think I found it in a used bookstore still with the old title The Magic of Uri Geller) as the seminal event that started me on my road to skepticism.
Thank you for everything, James Randi, and enjoy your well-deserved retirement. I'm looking forward to thanking you in person at TAM 2015. |
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As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities. - Voltaire. |
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28th January 2015, 08:33 PM | #23 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 10,293
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Yes, it wouldn't surprise me if the JREF (who's left as a figurehead? Let's hope that other skeptical organizations and events take their place, and hopefully eventually surpass them. A merge with the Skeptic Society wouldn't surprise me either, and may be positive in the medium to long term, Shermer notwithstanding. |
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As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities. - Voltaire. |
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29th January 2015, 03:15 AM | #24 |
JREF Kid
Tagger
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Posts: 8,782
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Whatever happened to DJ Grothe anyway? I believe he's gone?
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"Faith without doubt leads to moral arrogance, the eternal pratfall of the religiously convinced" - Joe Klein, Time magazine "The fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown." - Carl Sagan |
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29th January 2015, 04:29 AM | #25 |
Nitpicking dilettante
Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Berkshire, mostly
Posts: 57,667
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__________________
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 Ezekiel 23:20 |
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29th January 2015, 08:44 AM | #26 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 10,015
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If I were a suspicious person, I would imagine contract arguments at the JREF, where Randi's salary had been dropping since it was based as a percentage of JREF's revenue which was also dropping. By leaving, Randi will be able to make more now that he can do appearances and presentations under his own purview and not under the JREF salary.
But that is probably a bit off the map. He certainly deserves a good retirement. And it sounds like the JREF plans to continue the challenge, along with a more educational direction. I wish them all the best. |
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Dreams inevitably lead to hideous implosions -- Invader Zim |
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29th January 2015, 02:53 PM | #27 |
Stranded in Sub-Atomica
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,395
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All events in the last few years point to a severe pruning and scaling down, not helped by internal conflicts and personnel "issues". However the new JREF website and disassociation from the forum, shows that too often it can be its own worst enemy.
I suspect when the inevitable happens for a mortal Randi some sort of educational legacy or award will be set up in his name. As for the Million Dollar prize and the future of TAM. who knows, though some sort of major conference type event will probably continue in some form (with or without mergers) as long as TAM makes a profit. |
29th January 2015, 03:52 PM | #28 |
Goddess of Legaltainment™
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 36,472
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At 86, the Amaz!ng one has certainly earned his retirement, and he's had a very interesting life to date. Now that this may well be the last TAM, though, I think I will have to make an effort to attend.
*starts planning* |
29th January 2015, 03:55 PM | #29 |
New Blood
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 9
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A Fond Farewell
This is Mike Edwards, one of the two Project Alpha guys. I've had the privilege of calling Randi a personal friend for over 30 years now. It was his "Magic of Uri Geller" that got both Banachek and I interested in skepticism. And it ultimately led to us creating Project Alpha to show that parapsychologists could be easily fooled by using their pro-bias mindset against themselves.
After decades of entertaining and educating, what could be a better send off than traveling around the world, meeting your fans after they get to see your life story told in "An Honest Liar"? Very rewarding for a man who has made a large impact on a lot of people. Regardless of whether the JREF continues or not, the fact that Randi was able shape the skeptical discourse as he has for all these years is testament to a man who cares with all his heart. Enjoy your retirement Randi, and THANK YOU my friend! |
29th January 2015, 06:07 PM | #30 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,508
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Thank you, Randi, for all the years of entertainment and enlightenment. Thinking back to 30 or 40 years ago, it is difficult to remember the prevalence of paranormal beliefs, the persistence of gullibility, and the lack of critical thinking. We have a long way to go, but you have taken us a long way down the path toward truth. If not for you, the MDC, and the JREF, I don’t believe I would think quite the same, or even be quite the same. It has been like a veil lifted to clearly and honestly see the world, and life.
Have a pleasant and rewarding, well-deserved retirement! |
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I don't need to fight to prove I'm right. - Baba O'Riley |
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29th January 2015, 07:53 PM | #31 |
Penultimate Amazing
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"Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick |
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29th January 2015, 10:54 PM | #32 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 10,293
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As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities. - Voltaire. |
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29th January 2015, 10:58 PM | #33 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 10,293
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30th January 2015, 01:41 PM | #34 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada, eh?
Posts: 20,625
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All thanks to Randi. Although I might have heard his name before and seen him briefly on TV prior, my first real exposure (where I was able to fully pay attention to what he was saying) was during an appearance on Larry King's show, where he was debating Sylvia Browne. I thought he presented himself well enough to look into JREF, and ultimately the forum. Since then, my attitude has changed... I'm better at recognizing B.S., know what arguments are valid and which are bunk, and overall I'm better for it.
I think we should take up a collection to have him frozen in carbonite so that future generations can benefit from him. |
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Trust me, I know what I'm doing. - Sledgehammer I'm Mary Poppins Y'all! - Yondu We are Groot - Groot |
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30th January 2015, 01:50 PM | #35 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 24,921
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Fair enough. But I was just confused (I know that does not take much to do) by the e-mail I got from Swift (with Randi's face and SIGNATURE )
Quote:
I'll try and be patient. |
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"Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick |
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