James Randi Educational Foundation

The Ledge: A Movie Review

Details: Written by Dusty Wallace; Category: Swift; Published: 29 July 2011; Created: 29 July 2011; Hits: 8346

The Ledge (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535970/

Starring Charlie Hunnam, Terrence Howard, Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson
Rated R (Nudity and Language)
3 Stars (out of 4)

My Skeptic Elevator Pitch

Details: Written by Tim Farley; Category: Swift; Published: 28 July 2011; Created: 28 July 2011; Hits: 24002

When I’m not doing skeptic research, my day job is in the software industry. For many years that industry has been driven by the creation of small, startup companies pursuing innovative new ideas. That pursuit has led, among other things, to the creation of the “elevator pitch.”

An elevator pitch is a quick but thorough explanation of your product. It has to be as short as possible, so you can deliver it during a typical elevator ride. It has to clearly highlight the positive qualities and other advantages of your product. The goal isn’t to include every detail, but just to convince someone your product is a good idea.

In the high tech industry, you hone your elevator pitch and practice it. You never know when you might run into a potential supporter, investor or partner.

A Thank You to the TAM9-ers

Details: Written by James Randi; Category: Swift; Published: 25 July 2011; Created: 25 July 2011; Hits: 8627

JREF11web_tamheader_logo2 Ideally, I'd be sending out a personal postal letter of gratitude to each of the 1,652 persons who attended TAM9 for having journeyed to Las Vegas and graced our meeting with their presence, their applause, smiles, warm expressions of dedication and -- lest I forget -- those welcome handshakes and hugs that I sought and so enjoyed. The time and expense involved rather suggested that a message on Randi.org would be a wiser way to go... Yes, I'm one of those old-fashioned guys who still wants to "press the flesh" and look a friend in the eye, though I took a certain chance of dislocation and fracture of my aging bones during the four action-packed days we celebrated reason and rationality during our meeting... I'm still a bit giddy from our encounter, and clashing my gears getting back to the regular operations of the JREF...

Soliciting hugs was entirely my idea, and it was certainly met with acceptance from the TAM9 participants. Thank you, all. I got to chat with so many of you and learn your concerns and interests, all of which will make subsequent such events even tighter and more productive for you all; if you didn't get to leave us your comments in the survey we provided, please try to do so. We tried ESP and vibrations, and found that they just didn't work. Surprise, surprise!

Your Skeptic Stories

Details: Written by Maria Myrback; Category: Swift; Published: 23 July 2011; Created: 23 July 2011; Hits: 7239

[Editor’s Note: “Your Skeptic Stories” is an ongoing series written by readers like you, people who have, through one means or another, discovered skepticism and critical thinking. These stories remind us that we all started somewhere and some of us are still finding our way as skeptics If you are interested in contributing your own story, please submit your piece of around 1000 words to maria (at) randi.org along with a short 2-3 line bio.

Today’s story comes from Kate.]