So, who IS handling the challenge, now?

[jj]

We should send them lots of chocolate, acetometaphin and ibuprufen.

[Jeff Wagg]

I'm handling the correspondence until we get things organized. We have some logistical things to work out.

I think I was told to kill myself in Spanish yesterday, but I can't be sure.

[tkingdoll]

I'm handling the correspondence until we get things organized. We have some logistical things to work out.

I think I was told to kill myself in Spanish yesterday, but I can't be sure.

How do you kill yourself in Spanish? Commit El Hari Kari?

Or eat a straw donkey?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

How do you kill yourself in Spanish?

Eat at Taco Bell.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

So, who IS handling the challenge, now?


Dr. MAS

[Dinsdale Piranha]

How do you kill yourself in Spanish?

bebe el agua.

[Anti_Hypeman]

I vote for pillory

[AnotherSillyAlias]

I think Iamme would be the perfect choice, unless we can get Kumar back.

[Metullus]

I vote for fowlsound. He has a way with woos...

[Ducky]

I vote for fowlsound. He has a way with woos...



Considering the JREF finds itself without a smartass musician, I would be happy to fill this role.

And for those that would point ot my posts as evidence on non-professional behavior I call strawman. I am a very professional person when working (for pay or not) on something I am dedicated to.

Somehow, though, I don't think the JREF would seriously consider me a candidate.

If y'all would like, I can put together a resume and cover letter and send it off, though.

[delphi_ote]

Considering the JREF finds itself without a smartass musician, I would be happy to fill this role.

And for those that would point ot my posts as evidence on non-professional behavior I call strawman. I am a very professional person when working (for pay or not) on something I am dedicated to.

Somehow, though, I don't think the JREF would seriously consider me a candidate.

If y'all would like, I can put together a resume and cover letter and send it off, though.

I second this motion. Reading what fowlsound writes tickles my brain.

ETA If you're working on something, aren't you technically a professional?

[Gr8wight]

It's a job I would love to do. Unfortunately, I have no interest in moving to Florida.

[rjh01]

We could employ a machine to do the job. For any input it would respond in one of two ways:-
1. Please state what paranormal ability you can do.
2. Please send 3 affidavits from witnesses to us.

Doubt if much more of a response would be needed. The days of testing are gone.

[brettDbass]

I second this motion. Reading what fowlsound writes tickles my brain.
Are you happy to lose Fowlsound from contributing to the rest of the forum though?

[Darat]

Are you happy to lose Fowlsound from contributing to the rest of the forum though?

Hadn't considered that positive... sorry I mean negative, aspect.

[brettDbass]

I think that's the most post for your avatar, ever.

[kittynh]

Would you have to live in Florida to deal with the majority of the applicants?

And I would wish someone with a genlte touch. I know from my work dealing with people that have UFO questions that many are very distrubed. Calling them a "wacko" or even dealing with them in a "clever" fashion isn't what JREF wants. Just professionally answering their requests, with a gentle push to PLEASE FOLLOW THE APPLICATION PROCESS, is nice. Then there are those that are "sane" and honestly believe something paranormal is going on. I have a friend that fell for the same old "Fruit is preserved" when she placed it in front of a "kitchen witch" she bought in Haiti! When I went over to her house I pointed out that the kitchen witch was in the perfect spot of naturally drying out fruit! I had her take the kitchen witch away and sure enough the fruit still was magically preserved. So we need someone familiar with the typical things people fall for. Perhaps someone with access to information about cold reading and other things that the average person is not familiar with. I should think it would be easy to spot people that are just misinformed and perhaps send off to them a little blurb about cold reading and such. (we should have a bunch of these on different subjects on file). This would really forefill the educational aspect of the JREF too. I've been honestly surprised at how open my UFO questioners are to the truth. The truth handed to them with as much tact and lack of personal put downs as possible.

then there are those just out for the money. Those guys have just got to be told over and over to follow the rules. Strict files should be kept of all communication so they can't say (well truthfully say) "James Randi would not test me!" They aren't going to follow the application process unless they think they can fool JREF.

And testing can still be done. It's people like you and me that make the testing possible. Randi depends on qualified experts to help with the testing. So if you are an electronics expert, or a mold specialist, or even an expert in burnt toast (I'm the burnt food expert, and my burnt food never looks like the Virgin Mary or Jesus. I did get a Buddha once).

It should be noted this is not a slam at Fowlsound. I think he could be very professional and also tactful and educational! Also, any voodoo curses sent his way would just bounce off his titanium super shield.

But with email and faxes and phones, I don't think you would need to move to Florida?

[Ririon]

What the Hupsu Detective said.

Being polite and respectful should cut down on the death threats a little, too. There are more than enough people making fun of the applicants on the forum (I for one plead guilty, it's just too tempting). Not to mention the applicants themselves providing quite a bit of unintentional humor.

Not that KRAMER didn't do a great job, of course.

[Ducky]

Would you have to live in Florida to deal with the majority of the applicants?

And I would wish someone with a genlte touch. I know from my work dealing with people that have UFO questions that many are very distrubed. Calling them a "wacko" or even dealing with them in a "clever" fashion isn't what JREF wants. Just professionally answering their requests, with a gentle push to PLEASE FOLLOW THE APPLICATION PROCESS, is nice. Then there are those that are "sane" and honestly believe something paranormal is going on. I have a friend that fell for the same old "Fruit is preserved" when she placed it in front of a "kitchen witch" she bought in Haiti! When I went over to her house I pointed out that the kitchen witch was in the perfect spot of naturally drying out fruit! I had her take the kitchen witch away and sure enough the fruit still was magically preserved. So we need someone familiar with the typical things people fall for. Perhaps someone with access to information about cold reading and other things that the average person is not familiar with. I should think it would be easy to spot people that are just misinformed and perhaps send off to them a little blurb about cold reading and such. (we should have a bunch of these on different subjects on file). This would really forefill the educational aspect of the JREF too. I've been honestly surprised at how open my UFO questioners are to the truth. The truth handed to them with as much tact and lack of personal put downs as possible.

then there are those just out for the money. Those guys have just got to be told over and over to follow the rules. Strict files should be kept of all communication so they can't say (well truthfully say) "James Randi would not test me!" They aren't going to follow the application process unless they think they can fool JREF.

And testing can still be done. It's people like you and me that make the testing possible. Randi depends on qualified experts to help with the testing. So if you are an electronics expert, or a mold specialist, or even an expert in burnt toast (I'm the burnt food expert, and my burnt food never looks like the Virgin Mary or Jesus. I did get a Buddha once).

It should be noted this is not a slam at Fowlsound. I think he could be very professional and also tactful and educational! Also, any voodoo curses sent his way would just bounce off his titanium super shield.

But with email and faxes and phones, I don't think you would need to move to Florida?



Like I said, I doubt I would be a serious consideration for the JREF anyway. But it's nice to dream :)

[Godmode]

I'm handling the correspondence until we get things organized. We have some logistical things to work out.

I think I was told to kill myself in Spanish yesterday, but I can't be sure.
Yeah, sorry about that Jeffy... I was in a bad mood from the lack of tacos in the UK. :eek:

[jj]

What the Hupsu Detective said.

Being polite and respectful should cut down on the death threats a little, too. There are more than enough people making fun of the applicants on the forum (I for one plead guilty, it's just too tempting). Not to mention the applicants themselves providing quite a bit of unintentional humor.

Not that KRAMER didn't do a great job, of course.

Well, now, I've been in the position of having to field "odd" kinds of audio suggestions and "inventions" in a quasi-formal sense more than once. No million-dollar prize was involved, but some people thought that they had invented something that deserved that kind of price.

Some of these people, even when insulated through several layers of corporate folks, with conversation outbound buffered carefully through diplomatic channels, can get, well, a bit more than slightly abusive, even when treated respectfully and when it's explained that we just did not agree with them, or with their conclusions, and thus would not be doing business with them.

There's no downside to being at least moderately polite and respectful, but it's not going to help as much as you imagine, I dare say.

[Kaylee]

Kittynh, why don't you go for the job?

Your experience with toddlers is probably a good background to have for handeling most of the people who actually apply for the million. ;) Seriously, you probably have the patience for it.

[kittynh]

I heard from my daughter about what it was like as an intern at JREF and PEOPLE WOULD JUST STOP BY thinking they would soon be walking out with the million dollars!

Did you know Elijah (from the Bible, and YES he is THAT old) is a BIG Dolphins fan? You think they would win the Superbowl every year?

I listened to one 3 year old tell me in all seriousness about how his dad brought home a moon rock from the last time he went to the moon. So yeah, 3 year olds - applicants, same thing.

Honestly, I am not experienced enough for the job! I can barely handle the UFO people I deal with. My own experience has taught me that no ONE PERSON can handle the applications on their own. I have built up a very good "team" of people I can email for advice (as well as getting great answers on the forum here), so that I can really answer a UFO question with total honesty - without leaving myself open for litigation! We need a good "front" person who has access to the experts!

I think a lot of us could help with writing up little papers that could be sent out about dowsing or other common things people write in about. Also a good form letter (insert name here) about the importance of following the RULES is needed.

And if Elijah turns up, the JREF policy is to feed him coffee and bagels and let the intern talk to him for an hour. Though Mr.Randi did kindly give Elijah a few moments of his time.

[drfrank]

...
And if Elijah turns up, the JREF policy is to feed him coffee and bagels and let the intern talk to him for an hour. Though Mr.Randi did kindly give Elijah a few moments of his time.
...


I've found Elijah to be quite a lovable loon - I posted about him on my blog (in a not entirely complimentary way) and thus sent a few visitors to his site: he tracked back the URL and gave me a personal blog comment thanking me. Of course, I can't be completely sure that it was him but he claimed to be and the tone seemed about right: he just seemed so cheerful that I can't really dislike him :rolleyes:

I'm not sure if I could go a face-to-face conversation for half an hour, though ;)

[kittynh]

ohhh, I think Kitten still has the copy of his book he gave her! Well, it was for Randi, but he gave it to the lucky intern! You should try reading it. TRY is the important word here.

But Kitten really liked the people that stopped by. Most went away very happy, even without a check!

Me, I would ask Elijah all about the people he had met through history. LIke, "did you ever meet Ben Franklin?"

Anyway, a lot of these people are darling. A little spice to the mix of life. I know someone that IS an alien. She likes this planet the best, so she's here for now. She's very good about getting angry at anyone that complains too much. "You don't know how lucky you are! You could be living on Venus!" I'm not kidding...

[Spektator]

Maybe this would be a good time to institute a three-strikes rule. If the new administrator asks a would-be challenger to submit a proper application three times and still does not receive one...the challenger is disqualifed from applying for at least a year.

[prewitt81]

Just forward KRAMER's emails to my account. I'll handle things.

(10 seconds and 453 crazy emails later. . .)

No mas, no mas! Make the bad men stop!!!

On a halfway serious note, how about delegating applications based on the nature of the claim? For instance, I could handle the mild-mannered, polite dowsers, and fowlsound could deal with the people who talk to angels in spaceships.

[Kaylee]

Maybe this would be a good time to institute a three-strikes rule. If the new administrator asks a would-be challenger to submit a proper application three times and still does not receive one...the challenger is disqualifed from applying for at least a year.

I agree. I would also suggest requiring, in bold letters, that all applicants supply affidavits* as part of the application process. Currently they are just advised that they may be asked to do so.


*FWIW, I think 2 affadavits are enough though.

[kittynh]

ohhhh, let Jeff know. I think that is a great plan. We are going to deal with you, but only 3 times. After that we won't reply until a year is up. Make it clear and then JREF will be able to deal with applicants in a timely manner.

Kinda.