Why Does Randi Ignore My Emails?

[yairhol]

Hi,

In the past I've written to Randi's personal email address, as it appeared in the "Contact JREF" link (randi@randi.org) and got reponses back from him. One of my emails was once even featured on SWIFT regarding Uri Geller's show "The Successor".

In the last year I've written more than a couple of times to Randi regarding different subjects I thought could interest him. The mailing system at the JREF website have sinced changed and now the actual email address is not listed but there are only lines for entering my name, email, subject of letter and the contents space. In the last several months I have not received any reply from him.
My last letter to him was about a week ago in which I translated the latest Uri Geller appearance on the Israeli television network in which he talked and admitted several important points regarding his 'powers' and his career. This is surely to be interesting for Randi to read...or so I thought.
Again I have not received any reply from Randi.

I wonder why Randi is not replying. Is the JREF mailing system broken? (if so then it is broken for many months), or maybe my letters are so uninteresting for Randi? (I doubt that since Uri Geller has revealed very interesting points about his career). In any case, I think a basic (even automated) reply back is in order no?

Thanks for reading.

[Cleon]

The guy gets hundreds of emails a day, and he's got things to do. Expecting him to be able to reply to each and every one is just unrealistic.

[yairhol]

Should I not take the time to translate TV shows which I know are interesting for Randi to know about?
Also, I think that an automated email should be generated to tell the sender that his/her email has been received by Randi.
Until today I don't know if he even got my email.

[edona7]

If you translate things for Randi, that's nice, but if he never asked you to do so why do you spend so much time and energy at it? If it's something interesting to you and you want to share it, why does it matter if Randi responds or not? He's never had an automated responder as far as I can tell, so expecting one just so you know if he gets your messages is a bit unrealistic.

[shadron]

Should I not take the time to translate TV shows which I know are interesting for Randi to know about?
Also, I think that an automated email should be generated to tell the sender that his/her email has been received by Randi.
Until today I don't know if he even got my email.

If you reall6y just want o know if it was received, flag it for a return receipt.

[yairhol]

If you translate things for Randi, that's nice, but if he never asked you to do so why do you spend so much time and energy at it?
From my previous experience with Randi and reading what he writes I know that new revelations coming out of Uri Geller is something that is interesting for Randi to know about. I have no doubt about that and this is why I'm taking the time and energy to do it.
For example Geller admitting on TV that his 'powers' are for entertainment purposes only. Anoterh example is Geller saying that he admits that all these years when he used to 'send powers' to the people at home who were watching him to make their spoons bend or watches stop/start ticking was just actually just strengthening their own beliefs and his 'powers' had nothing to do with it.

If you reall6y just want o know if it was received, flag it for a return receipt.
Not possible. The JREF's mailing system is just a "subject", "sender" and "comments" areas. No actual email is shown.

[Delscottio]

Why do you want a reply?

This reminds me of when my wife tells me she loves me for the only reason of wanting to hear me say it back to her.

You shouldn't do someone a favour and expect something back, without prior agreement. Personally I would have replied to you and said thanks but not everyone is the same.

[chillzero]

Why don't you send it as an email, just like before? You know, from your own email app?

If you are concerned there's a technical glitch, you could email jeff@randi.org to ask him to look into it.

[yairhol]

Why do you want a reply?
Based on prior emails with Randi, he always replied back with questions or a need for further clarifications. I'm thinking a man his age doesn't change his ways overnight unless he's not getting my emails or something else is happening hence this thread.

Why don't you send it as an email, just like before? You know, from your own email app?

I could do that of course but I'm one that always plays by the rules. If JREF decided to stop publishing Randi's personal email then there must be a good reason for that and I don't want to take advantage of my prior knowledge to his email address.

[TraneWreck]

Maybe you should try using a different subject line.

"It puts the lotion on its skin," sometimes scares people.

[shadron]

Not possible. The JREF's mailing system is just a "subject", "sender" and "comments" areas. No actual email is shown.

Use real email to randi@randi.org.

[Monketey Ghost]

Many years ago I wrote Randu an email. In it, I told him that he was in my pantheon of personal heroes along with such notables as Joe DiMaggio and Spider-Man.

He wrote back, but seemed nonplussed by the company of such luminaries.

"Here lies a topples god-
His fall was not a small one.
We did but build his pedestal,
A narrow and a tall one." ~F. Herbert

[Soapy Sam]

I agree with Chillzero- email Jeff or Linda at JREF and ask if
a)Randi got it
and
b)Would it be possible to get a reply when you send him something- even if automated.

This seems like a reasonable request, especially if someone is trying to supply legit information.
I'm a bit surprised there is no auto reply.

[RSLancastr]

yairhol: I think it safe to say that Randi appreciates the translating that you have done. It is unfortunate that he has yet to reply, but as others have mentioned, he is extremely busy (not an excuse, but a possible reason). I for one look forward to reading them in a future edition of SWIFT.

[Nero]

yairhol: I think it safe to say that Randi appreciates the translating that you have done. It is unfortunate that he has yet to reply, but as others have mentioned, he is extremely busy (not an excuse, but a possible reason). I for one look forward to reading them in a future edition of SWIFT.

I probably shouldn't hijack someone else’s thread but as this is the first thread I've seen you post in since your "illness" I would just like to say welcome back.

Well done.

(Sorry, to the OP)

[RSLancastr]

I probably shouldn't hijack someone else’s thread but as this is the first thread I've seen you post in since your "illness" I would just like to say welcome back.Thanks, but I am only sorta back. I am typin g this on my laptop whilst in my hospital bed,

Well done.

(Sorry, to the OP)[/QUOTE]

[Mojo]

Welcome sorta back, Robert!

(Sorry yairhol)

[tim]

New thread for messages to Robert here - http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=4743290#post4743290
Carry on! :D

[thatguywhojuggles]

I've only written Randi a half a dozen times, but gotten a response each time. I always sent my emails to randi@randi.org.

I was always amazed he HAD the time to write back.

[yairhol]

Case Closed.
I emailed Randi directly and he said that he got all my emails except that he gets hundreds of emails a day and can't respond to all. Plus he knows all about Geller and his said TV appearance.
Thread closed and buried.
Thank you all.

[Cleon]

The guy gets hundreds of emails a day, and he's got things to do. Expecting him to be able to reply to each and every one is just unrealistic.

Case Closed.
I emailed Randi directly and he said that he got all my emails except that he gets hundreds of emails a day and can't respond to all.

Go figure. Who would've thought of such a mundane explanation for this mystery?

[yairhol]

Go figure. Who would've thought of such a mundane explanation for this mystery?
Well, no.
An explanation for a non response could be that Randi gets hundreds of emails a day and cannot respond to all. Another explanation is that he never received the emails in the first place. So which one is it?
A person goes out of his ways to contribute his part to the JREF without getting any feedback on it. That's not right. We've said it before, even an automated message saying JREF received the email will be sufficient. Ignoring the emails completely is not the way it should be done.

[arthwollipot]

I've only written Randi a half a dozen times, but gotten a response each time. I always sent my emails to randi@randi.org.

I was always amazed he HAD the time to write back.Same here.

[UnrepentantSinner]

I don't bother with e-mails to famous and busy people like Randi. I find the have much more time to discuss stuff with you at TAMs or on TAAs.

Like anyone cares, but if yairhol will indulge me I'd like to relate to others how approachable Randi is IRL.

As soon as I arrived at the hotel for TAM 1, the first person I met in the parking lot was Randi. At TAM 3, before checking in I went to the conference center and came upon and had a nice conversation with Hal and Randi. On the Alaska cruise I was having a smoke on the rear top deck before having breakfast and I ran into... Randi. At TAM 6 I was outside on Monday morning with a couple of other attendees and Randi happened to walk out and join us.

I could probably walk up to him at TAM 7 and he wouldn't recognize me from Adam, but I'm sure he'd be as friendly and approachable as all the other times.

[yairhol]

I don't bother with e-mails to famous and busy people like Randi. I find the have much more time to discuss stuff with you at TAMs or on TAAs.

Like anyone cares, but if yairhol will indulge me I'd like to relate to others how approachable Randi is IRL.

As soon as I arrived at the hotel for TAM 1, the first person I met in the parking lot was Randi. At TAM 3, before checking in I went to the conference center and came upon and had a nice conversation with Hal and Randi. On the Alaska cruise I was having a smoke on the rear top deck before having breakfast and I ran into... Randi. At TAM 6 I was outside on Monday morning with a couple of other attendees and Randi happened to walk out and join us.

I could probably walk up to him at TAM 7 and he wouldn't recognize me from Adam, but I'm sure he'd be as friendly and approachable as all the other times.
I have no doubt about that.

[arthwollipot]

I don't bother with e-mails to famous and busy people like Randi. I find the have much more time to discuss stuff with you at TAMs or on TAAs.That's fine for people who live less than 10,000 miles away...

[Questioninggeller]

If it's important he'll respond.

I've sent Randi some emails. Some times he replies, others he doesn't. One notable time was when he quoted me in Swift, but I never received a response.

What I took away from it was he is really busy with many emails, his work, his two forth-coming books, and trying to have a personal life on top of being in his 80s.

[Evolved Wookie]

*feels intensely smug that he HAS received a personal email from Randi, albeit a very short one - ahh - that's one to tell the grandkids about*

Is there a 'smug' smiley?

[UnrepentantSinner]

That's fine for people who live less than 10,000 miles away...

You could call the office. When I called to make my TAM 6 reservations Linda herself answered with "Hi Bret"*. E-mail isn't the only venue for communication.

* Caller ID ;)

[The Professor]

If the JREF site refers you to an email, then it should be a good one. Why would the JREF refer you to an email address that no one answers ??? :)

[Azrael 5]

Randi has always answered my emails.

[Darat]

You could call the office. When I called to make my TAM 6 reservations Linda herself answered with "Hi Bret"*. E-mail isn't the only venue for communication.

* Caller ID ;)

That's what she wanted you to believe - she just sneaked a look into her crystal ball.

[arthwollipot]

I sent an email to Randi once asking whether he responds to all his email personally. I got a personal response saying that yes, he does.

[MikeSun5]

A person goes out of his ways to contribute his part to the JREF without getting any feedback on it. That's not right.

Not to be mean, but I'd stop going out of my way to contribute. Randi has been an opponent of Geller for years... I'm sure he's pretty up to date on what Uri's doing.
Considering the volume of emails Randi receives, imagine how many of those alone have Uri Geller in the subject line?

I wrote him once about his opinons on NLP. He wrote back, "NLP is ************." His response answered my question and implied how busy he was.

[Gr8wight]

I thought this issue had been resolved to the satisfaction of the OP. Why are we still talking about it?

[Darat]

Must be a bug in the software since it says "Joined Date: Jul 2004" yet you've asked such a question!

:)

[a_unique_person]

I'd like to see those transcripts. Could you just publish them as a new thread in the Forum?

[Roadtoad]

If the JREF site refers you to an email, then it should be a good one. Why would the JREF refer you to an email address that no one answers ??? :)

Of course, some people's e-mails should go straight into the spam files.

What?

[Gr8wight]

Must be a bug in the software since it says "Joined Date: Jul 2004" yet you've asked such a question!

:)

It was rhetorical.

;)

[The Professor]

It would seem a little misleading if you were to say .... For answers email here ... and then not answer them?

If the email flood is so great, then why post the email address in the first place, giving the L@@K that you are really answering them?

[Klimax]

It would seem a little misleading if you were to say .... For answers email here ... and then not answer them?

If the email flood is so great, then why post the email address in the first place, giving the L@@K that you are really answering them?

Various email addresses are published for various reasons and that due popularity you should't publish it since you cannot guarantee reply is big idiocy.

[NobbyNobbs]

It would seem a little misleading if you were to say .... For answers email here ... and then not answer them?

If the email flood is so great, then why post the email address in the first place, giving the L@@K that you are really answering them?

Try emailing that question to your congressman.

[Roadtoad]

First point: James Randi probably gets a few hundred e-mails a day, seeking his time and attention. If you want a PERSONAL response from him, it might help to send him information that he would actually find interesting.

Second point: If you're that desperate to get a response, perhaps you have to ask yourself why.

[The Professor]

Exactly ...WHY?
Why does randi refuse to answer emails?
Why publish his email address if he has no intention of answering them?

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Exactly ...WHY?
Why does randi refuse to answer emails?
Why publish his email address if he has no intention of answering them?

Why don't you send him an e-mail and ask him?

Oh. On second thought, why do you care?

:deadhorse

[tim]

Exactly ...WHY?
Why does randi refuse to answer emails?
Why publish his email address if he has no intention of answering them?

He always answers mine............

[The Professor]

So I guess you need to be a M O D boy to get some attention :)
Makes perfect sense to me now :)

[JimBenArm]

Nah, you just have to be sane, and make sense.

Try it sometime.

[Gr8wight]

So I guess you need to be a M O D boy to get some attention :)
Makes perfect sense to me now :)

I have received a personal response to every email I have ever sent to Randi. I am not now, nor have I ever been officially associated with the JREF in any capacity. I am not now, nor have I ever been a moderator or administrator of this forum. I have not ever met Randi in person. My emails to him were of little consequence. Still, I received answers.

Kinda makes you think...

[Azrael 5]

The Prof is obsessed with emails! Be it Randi's mine,magicseen's whoever!

edited for civility

I guess we're stuck with edited for civility now,seeing as Magic Cafe have booted him :D

[fuelair]

Why Does Randi Ignore My Emails?




Perhaps he has met or heard about you at some time.

[yairhol]

Why Does Randi Ignore My Emails?




Perhaps he has met or heard about you at some time.

Never met him but he has included a previous email of mine in one of the SWIFTs so I'm thinking he found it interesting enough.
Anyway, the answers were already given in the previous page:
1. He does get hundreds of letters a day (Randi's words).
2. The subject about which I've recently written to him about was already addressed by 20 others (according to Randi).
3. Another subject I've written about, Randi just doesn't care to engage in any kind of dialogue with. He says that if he wishes he can apply for the $1M but other than that, no thanks.
Check out this guy:
http://www.orenzarif.com/

filthy rich from what he does and has tons of media presence if he wished to apply for the challenge. But why should he?

[tim]

So I guess you need to be a M O D boy to get some attention :)
Makes perfect sense to me now :)


Tsk. Because B follows A it don't mean A caused B. He answered my emails before I was a mod.

[TSR]

Tsk. Because B follows A it don't mean A caused B. He answered my emails before I was a mod.

.
You shouldn't taunt the logic-impaired.
.

[tim]

.
You shouldn't taunt the logic-impaired.
.


You're right. Sorry.

[Roadtoad]

Exactly ...WHY?
Why does randi refuse to answer emails?
Why publish his email address if he has no intention of answering them?

Let's see: When I write to him, and I'm civil, and have something relevant to say, I get a polite response. In many cases, his response to me is informative, and usually uplifting.

On the other hand, if I write and my e-mail is simply a rant, regardless of the subject matter, it gets ignored. So, I don't send rants.

Just so you know: If you write him an e-mail and it interests him, you'll get a response. If you simply write to bleat about how "unfair" Jeff Wagg and others are being, you'll get ignored.

[The Professor]

You've missed the whole point!
I Expect him to ignore My emails ...
Why does he ignore other members here who don't challenge for the million?
It's just rude or deceptively calculated to give the appearance of accessibility.

[chillzero]

You've missed the whole point!
I Expect him to ignore My emails ...
Why does he ignore other members here who don't challenge for the million?
It's just rude or deceptively calculated to give the appearance of accessibility.
He didn't ignore emails. Perhaps you should read it all again.

[Roadtoad]

He didn't ignore emails. Perhaps you should read it all again.

What? And take a hard turn into honesty, integrity, rationality?

Geez, Chill! Have you no respect for intellectual cowardice anymore?

[Azrael 5]

You've missed the whole point!
I Expect him to ignore My emails ...
Why does he ignore other members here who don't challenge for the million?
It's just rude or deceptively calculated to give the appearance of accessibility.

Did I miss where you challenged for the million? :rolleyes:

[Czarcasm]

He didn't ignore emails. Perhaps you should read it all again.Give the guy a break! He can't even write comprehensively, and you expect him to read for comprehension? One must learn how to crawl before one is expected to walk, for ghod's sake.

[dropzone]

Er, that one wins. Admire Randi as I may, I realize he puts spell-, grammar- and coherence-checkers on hold and, as an old fart a gentleman sporting all his years in an admirable fashion,, another gent of some years, I've been online long enough to dismiss any claim that a response come from The Guy At the Center as something to follow, unless special knowledge said it came from The Boss.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

Sigh. Join the club. :(

I too have emailed Randi things I thought were exceptionally interesting, that I thought would make very good material for him. I would never have dared written at all to one of my biggest heroes had it not been very, very worthy of his time. That's the measure of my respect for him; I'm nervous even sending an email to him.

And he didn't reply.

Granted, most of it was on Sylvia Browne and I guess there is no point publishing something on her in SWIFT if she has not been in the news lately. And if it concerns a prediction she made five or six years ago that was proven amazingly wrong two or three years ago and I have only just discovered it now, it's not "fresh".

[The Professor]

See. It does happen, as I've said!

[arthwollipot]

No-one ever denied that it happened.

[RoboTimbo]

See. It does happen, as I've said!

You never answered this post (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=4815445#post4815445). Why do persons such as yourself ignore posts?

[Pogo]

You never answered this post (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=4815445#post4815445). Why do persons such as yourself ignore posts?See? The Professor ignores posts, just like I said.

[Roadtoad]

See. It does happen, as I've said!

No one ever denied it. But we've specified the where and why.

Since when does James Randi -- or for that matter, anyone -- owe anyone else a response to an e-mail? Why the hell are you and others so rude as to expect and demand a response to an e-mail when one may or may not be needed? Frankly, I find the whole idea insulting. Hell, if we're going to go with that attitude, are we now going to insist that every call from a telemarketer be answered, and lengthy conversations be engaged in regarding vinyl siding? Give me a break!

News Flash: People living real lives have real commitment they must fulfill BEFORE they answer every little e-mail that comes their way. They are deserving of respect for those commitments, and they deserve the time necessary to meet them. They are under NO obligation to respond to me or anyone else when I take the time to contact them with something I think is "important," "funny," "interesting," or "clever." If I choose to send something, that's fine, I suppose, but that's my choice to spend my time doing so. No one else is obligated to respond to what I send out.

The remarkable arrogance of some people that their EVERY WORD warrants a response, that their every action is somehow critical to every situation, is no longer amusing, it's sad and pathetic. Seriously, someone is in need of therapy, and soon.

[The_Fire]

I've once send an DVD with the Anderson Cooper episode with Robert Lancaster to the Foundation. Got a nice email with thanks from Jeff. Why? Because I asked them in the coverletter to confirm with me once they got the darned thing, the Danish postal service being what it is.

Very nice.

Had I NOT asked them to confirm, then I would not have expected a response. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSY AS HELL!!!!!!

They do not exist for my sole pleasure (Ok, having a magician of Mr. Randi's caliber at my beg and call would be supercool) or to pamper my ego. Nor yours.

[Roadtoad]

i've once send an dvd with the anderson cooper episode with robert lancaster to the foundation. Got a nice email with thanks from jeff. Why? Because i asked them in the coverletter to confirm with me once they got the darned thing, the danish postal service being what it is.

Very nice.

Had i not asked them to confirm, then i would not have expected a response. Why? Because they are busy as hell!!!!!!

They do not exist for my sole pleasure (ok, having a magician of mr. Randi's caliber at my beg and call would be supercool) or to pamper my ego. Nor yours.

Bingo!!!