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Changes To The Challenge

Kimpatsu said:
Anyway, I guess we find out the answer in about 90 minutes...
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and another seven days.....
You'll have to wait another week for the challenge update...we're waiting for someone to review the materials.
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and if that sounds a little familiar, this was posted on 29/9/06:
Jeff Wagg said:
Stay tuned for the press release in the next week.
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Let me see, that's now THREE "next weeks" in a row...

Curiouser and curiouser. I'm not trying to stir the pot here, but I always get concerned when deadlines constantly shift. Let's face it, what kind of "review" is required here? JREF is an autonomous body with no responsibility to anyone beyond JR and itself. I find it peculiar that this constant goal-post shifting is going on. It just doesn't look good and it's going to provide ammunition to the knockers.
 
Knockers can use all the ammo they can get. The facts aren't looking too good and do make for some good ammo.

JREF is an autonomous body with no responsibility to anyone beyond JR and itself.
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This is somewhat true but there are a couple of points that come to mind. One is the question of the 'gift' that is funding the challenge. At times there are strings attached to 'gifts'. That might be an issue.

There is a much larger issue than that though. The foundation has made a living off of challenging anyone that can disprove science. That is their whole raison d'être. It's quite a drastic change to now exclude the small fish.

I didn't think the foundation has much participation in preliminary tests. I thought that was handled by a third party. From what I've read no one has made it past a preliminary. Also I don't think the foundation has accepted an application in months. How much overhead is there in rejecting applications?

Gene
 
The Atheist said:
JREF is an autonomous body with no responsibility to anyone beyond JR and itself.
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There is a board of directors to consider, the person who donated the gift, and possibly some legal issues relating to details of the new challenge as well. JREF might even be taking what's been posted in this thread into account. They also have to formulate press releases, figure out who to challenge and how to do it (you'd want to challenge some big names immediately upon changing), and have a changed version of the JREF web site to match the new challenge so you can switch instantly. I've probably forgotten one or two things too.
 
The Atheist said:
and another seven days.....and if that sounds a little familiar, this was posted on 29/9/06:Let me see, that's now THREE "next weeks" in a row...

Curiouser and curiouser. I'm not trying to stir the pot here, but I always get concerned when deadlines constantly shift. Let's face it, what kind of "review" is required here? JREF is an autonomous body with no responsibility to anyone beyond JR and itself. I find it peculiar that this constant goal-post shifting is going on. It just doesn't look good and it's going to provide ammunition to the knockers.
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You are aware that Jeff has a life outside JREF? That the only people at JREF are Randi and Linda (and the occasional intern)? And that the board of directors have other things to do as well?

JREF is a shoebox operation. You can literally walk around JREF in less than 30 seconds, it's the smallest bungalow you can imagine. It's so small, that if you want to change your mind, you have to step outside.

And yet, they manage to have a world-wide reputation and recognition. Instead of bitching about not getting your way when you want it, appreciate that.
 
CFLarsen said:
You are aware that Jeff has a life outside JREF? That the only people at JREF are Randi and Linda (and the occasional intern)? And that the board of directors have other things to do as well?

...snip...
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And the fact that Linda let the JREF down this week rather badly by having to undergo an emergency operation to remove her appendix... she's a real slacker that one - I bet she even stopped working whilst she was under general anaesthetic.
 
The Atheist said:
Let's face it, what kind of "review" is required here? JREF is an autonomous body with no responsibility to anyone beyond JR and itself.
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It is with the attorney(s) for review. I suspect when everything is settled and made public the reasons for this will be clear.

ETA: No need to invent a conspiracy for things just taking longer than planned.
 
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Darat said:
And the fact that Linda let the JREF down this week rather badly by having to undergo an emergency operation to remove her appendix... she's a real slacker that one - I bet she even stopped working whilst she was under general anaesthetic.
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She will get a stern talking-to at TAM5. The NERVE of some people....
 
For how many months longer will applicants be accepted? I was thinking of giving it a try. A quick browse of my posts should show I'm not too insane. My claim wouldn't require much manpower on the foundation's part.
 
CFLarsen said:
And yet, they manage to have a world-wide reputation and recognition. Instead of bitching about not getting your way when you want it, appreciate that.
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Just thought I'd bump this one by replying to this while I'm waiting for "this week".

Sorry, unter, but I am in no way bitching about getting "my way". I'm surprised that even you make that connection.

It's JREF/Randi who keep saying "next week". Well, within hours, we'll know whether that next week is this week or next week.
 
Hands up everyone who was surprised that "next week" turned out not to be this week. At least now the timetable's been removed:

Also, we're still working on the wording on our upcoming changes to the challenge. Patience, friends, patience..
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Ripley Twenty-Nine said:
...Not that you're trying to stir the pot or anything.
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Correct!

I've already explained that I don't care when or if the review and changes are ever made - just that once a time frame is mentioned, stick to it.

What would have been so wrong, at the start of this thread to say:

"We're making changes, but the exact details will take some time to confirm so we'll get back to you as soon as practical."?

That's how businesses, schools, media and educational foundations would usually conduct business. If you think it's professional to say "next week" three or four times in a row, only to follow it up with, "be patient, we'll be ready later, no worries. I don't.

If I'm seen to be stirring the pot, just ask who put the pot on the stove; me or JREF? The front page of the JREF has a calendar of how long it's been since Sylvia Browne agreed to take a challenge and hasn't - how long before her website (or some other clown's) having a page up showing how long it's been since this thread started?
 
The Atheist said:
Correct!

I've already explained that I don't care when or if the review and changes are ever made - just that once a time frame is mentioned, stick to it.

What would have been so wrong, at the start of this thread to say:

"We're making changes, but the exact details will take some time to confirm so we'll get back to you as soon as practical."?

That's how businesses, schools, media and educational foundations would usually conduct business. If you think it's professional to say "next week" three or four times in a row, only to follow it up with, "be patient, we'll be ready later, no worries. I don't.

If I'm seen to be stirring the pot, just ask who put the pot on the stove; me or JREF? The front page of the JREF has a calendar of how long it's been since Sylvia Browne agreed to take a challenge and hasn't - how long before her website (or some other clown's) having a page up showing how long it's been since this thread started?
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Peace butterfly. After all, there is one million dollars involved, not chump change by anyone's measure.

M.
 
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