A TAM7 apology

[RSLancastr]

All:

What follows is an email I will be sending momentarily to Randi.

Randi:

In TAMs gone by, there have been times (mercifully few) where I saw a speech/presentation where the speaker/presenter did such an awful job that I found myself wondering if they would give you a personal apology for their performance. Little did I know that one day I would find myself in that unenviable position.

I knew that my TAM7 speech did not go well, but it was not until watching the DVDs yesterday that I realized what a train wreck it actually was. I spent the first minute telling the crowd how unprepared I was, then spent the remainder of my time proving it.

The content was boring, the pace was turgid, and it ran waaay too long.

I think that the only thing which kept the crowd politely in their seats was the realization that, as bad as it was, it was far better than many expected of me, given my recent health issues. While that was nice of them, when I speak to a crowd, I want them to come away from the experience with something more than "Well, at least he's not dead." So, please accept my heartfelt apologies to you and your staff for my poor use of the opportunity you all afforded me. I promise that, given the opportunity, I will do much better next time.

Yours,

Robert

I post it here because I feel that I also owe an apology to everyone who was in the audience that day. I hope many of them will read it here.

 

[Wowbagger]

You're much too humble. Most of the folks who thought you were boring went off to lunch, long before you were done. It's not like we were chained to our seats, or anything.

 

[Starthinker]

You were up there because this community wanted to honor you for your contributions to this community. Cut yourself some slack, you went through a lot and you have no idea what an inspiration you are to some of us. You did great. Period.

 

[saganite]

You were up there because this community wanted to honor you for your contributions to this community. Cut yourself some slack, you went through a lot and you have no idea what an inspiration you are to some of us. You did great. Period.

Seconded, and I don't understand your need to write Randi or anyone else this email, Robert. Did you receive complaints from audience members? Did people come up and talk to Randi about it afterwards, compelling him to scold you for the content and delivery of your speech? Because both sound pretty unlikely to me, and in that case an apology is completely unwarranted and unnecessary.

I almost want to say that I couldn't possibly accept your apology, because I don't think you should feel even more a moment that you'd need to give it!

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I post it here because I feel that I also owe an apology to everyone who was in the audience that day. I hope many of them will read it here.

I feel like you owe me a beer. Make it 10 and we'll call it even.

 

[prewitt81]

You were up there because this community wanted to honor you for your contributions to this community. Cut yourself some slack, you went through a lot and you have no idea what an inspiration you are to some of us. You did great. Period.

Thirded. It was a representation of all you had overcome and was perhaps the highlight of TAM7 for me.

 

[RSLancastr]

Most of the folks who thought you were boring went off to lunch, long before you were done.

Well, that's a comfort. I think. Thanks, Wow!

You were up there because this community wanted to honor you for your contributions to this community. Cut yourself some slack, you went through a lot and you have no idea what an inspiration you are to some of us. You did great. Period.

Thanks, ST!

Seconded, and I don't understand your need to write Randi or anyone else this email, Robert. Did you receive complaints from audience members? Did people come up and talk to Randi about it afterwards, compelling him to scold you for the content and delivery of your speech?

I did gt a couple of PM'd complaints, and have heard reports of audience members (one in particular) who spent much of my presentation making unkind comments about me (much as I did while watching me on the DVD.)

Also, there were several people who, when I asked how they thought it went, said things like "Dude, they were just glad to see you up and talking!" Which, while kind, tended t reinforce what I already thought - that ir was an awful speech. As far as anyone complaining to Randi, not that I know of. And I seriouslt doubt that he would tell me if they had - he is far too gracious for that, as his kind reply to my email shows.

I feel like you owe me a beer. Make it 10 and we'll call it even.

Will that get you drunk enough to forget the speech?

Thirded. It was a representation of all you had overcome and was perhaps the highlight of TAM7 for me.

You're too kind, prewitt. Thanks, and thanks to all the others who posted.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Will that get you drunk enough to forget the speech?

No. Better make it 30.

 

[Wowbagger]

Perhaps my last post, here, was a tad snarky, or something. Yes, I did witness some folks leaving the room as you were talking, (the poor snobs), but those who stayed clearly wanted to hear what you had to say! I stayed in the room, myself.

And, at least one of your messages, I think, was a very important one: If you got symptoms of something for several days that won't go away: see a doctor. I don't think that one can be drilled into anyone's head too often.

If you will accept one small piece of creative criticism: I think the bit where you were mumbling aboout a dream you had with Randi was... most uneccessary. Everything else, at least, was coherent, and from the heart.

I have not watched the DVD version, yet. This is just what I remember from watching you live. But, I anticipate the DVD won't be worse than I am remembering now.

I am sure it seems worse, for you, because we all are our own worst critics, sometimes.

 

[Patricio Elicer]

I don't understand why Robert is apologizing. That was an interesting talk, even more when he went into the details of his health problems. I remember I said to myself at the end, "hmmm, shame that he's cut off".

 

[Sc00ter]

Considering what you've been through, and what you've done for the community I would have sat there all day and listened to you. I even commented to my wife who was with me that I thought it was kind of rude that people were just getting up and leaving.

 

[arthwollipot]

I was hanging on every word. It can't have been easy for you. I wish you'd had more time to speak. Don't be so hard on yourself.

 

[Caz]

I wasn't there (large ocean in the way) but the stress of not being in the audience when you gave a talk I very much wanted to hear means you owe me a beer too. It's the only answer.

 

[Professor Yaffle]

Robert - you appear to be suffering from a bad case of apologitis this week. If symptoms persist, please consult your doctor.

 

[RSLancastr]

No. Better make it 30.

That bad, eh?

Perhaps my last post, here, was a tad snarky, or something. Yes, I did witness some folks leaving the room as you were talking, (the poor snobs), but those who stayed clearly wanted to hear what you had to say! I stayed in the room, myself.

And, at least one of your messages, I think, was a very important one: If you got symptoms of something for several days that won't go away: see a doctor. Thanks, Wow. I didn't say that explicitly (though I meant to. glad that it got through implicitly.

If you will accept one small piece of creative criticism: I think the bit where you were mumbling aboout a dream you had with Randi was... most uneccessary. Everything else, at least, was coherent, and from the heart.

I threw in the dream because Randi had laughed at it hard when I told him about it earlier that day. It certainly fell flat when I told the crowd about it.

I have not watched the DVD version, yet. This is just what I remember from watching you live. But, I anticipate the DVD won't be worse than I am remembering now.

Let me know once you watch it.

I am sure it seems worse, for you, because we all are our own worst critics, sometimes.

I certainly am. I haven't been satisfied with any of my TAM appearances. but this is the first time I have felt embarrassed about one.

I don't understand why Robert is apologizing. That was an interesting talk, even more when he went into the details of his health problems. I remember I said to myself at the end, "hmmm, shame that he's cut off".

Thanks, Patricio.

Considering what you've been through, and what you've done for the community I would have sat there all day and listened to you. I even commented to my wife who was with me that I thought it was kind of rude that people were just getting up and leaving.

I appreciate it, Scooter!

I was hanging on every word. It can't have been easy for you. I wish you'd had more time to speak. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Thanks, arth. Susan and I sure enjoyed our time with you, by the way. I thought that your interview of Neil went very well, by the way.

I wasn't there (large ocean in the way) but the stress of not being in the audience when you gave a talk I very much wanted to hear means you owe me a beer too. It's the only answer.

Oh Stop, Caz... I mean "Thanks. Caz."

Robert - you appear to be suffering from a bad case of apologitis this week. If symptoms persist, please consult your doctor.

Sorry, Prof. Oops...

[/QUOTE]

 

[LostAngeles]

Oh Robert.

People get up and leave the room for all sorts of reasons. I had to leave rebecca's ceremony since my teeth were swimming and I couldn't take it any longer. I know some folks were sick.

The truth is, though, that some people in the skeptic community are just ****ing dicks. Anyone making an unkind comment when someone who is still recovering from a stroke is a dick. No, it wasn't your best talk, but who's would be after that?

Screw the negative comments Robert and don't worry about people leaving. Not being able to appreciate a serious force for good is dickery.

 

[LibraryLady]

Robert, I can't spare the money for the dvd and missed your talk online, which was how I attended TAM7. However, from the comments I saw in chat and elsewhere about your talk were all extremely positive--you were alive, you were recovering and most of all, you were still Robert.

It's so easy to only focus on the negative, especially when you are constantly tired, sick, and discouraged. But the positive is out there.

Speaking for myself, I admire you more than I can say.

 

[RSLancastr]

Oh Robert.

People get up and leave the room for all sorts of reasons. I had to leave rebecca's ceremony since my teeth were swimming and I couldn't take it any longer. I know some folks were sick.

The truth is, though, that some people in the skeptic community are just ****ing dicks.

Why should the skeptic community be any different in that regard than any other community?

Anyone making an unkind comment when someone who is still recovering from a stroke is a dick. No, it wasn't your best talk, but who's would be after that?

Screw the negative comments Robert and don't worry about people leaving. Not being able to appreciate a serious force for good is dickery.

thanks, LA!

Robert, I can't spare the money for the dvd and missed your talk online, which was how I attended TAM7. However, from the comments I saw in chat and elsewhere about your talk were all extremely positive--you were alive, you were recovering and most of all, you were still Robert.

It's so easy to only focus on the negative, especially when you are constantly tired, sick, and discouraged. But the positive is out there.

Speaking for myself, I admire you more than I can say.

Thanks, LL, you're very kind! By the way, did you ever get another budgie? (not that there can ever be another Nick...)

 

[athon]

Robert, you're a fighter. You've taken an idea and seen it through, making the world better for it. Unfortunately, to do that, you've had to step into the spotlight. The upside is that it is inspirational, encouraging others to see that they, too, are capable of challenging themselves. The downside is that you're putting yourself out there for scrutiny.

This isn't about your stroke, or being unprepared. It's your enviable desire to constantly step up and do your best. Of course, not every speech will be your best. And under scrutiny, there will always be somebody disagreeing, criticising you, finding fault. Good. Let them. It means you've achieved something great - the right to stand in front of them in the first place.

Even if you didn't impress yourself with your oration that day, you did inspire people. You shouldn't apologise for that.

Athon

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Oh Stop, Caz... I mean "Thanks. Caz."