This is what I call a major bummer. During a routine medical examination more than a month ago, it was discovered that I had a nasty visitor inside me – yet another stunning example of Intelligent Design at work, friends. My doctors went in and removed it, and things are looking up again. I’ll be pretty weak for a couple of months, but I assure you all that I’m fighting this thing with the very best technical help – I’m not at all shy about embracing technology! – and I’ll be able to keep up with my regular duties as the treatment proceeds.

This is the reason you’ve not seen any recent videos from me. Of course, I’m very fortunate to have good folks like Phil Plait, that Bad Astronomer, along with the ever-present, ever-diligent, and very fierce Linda Shallenberger, to back me up. They stepped in to manage and resuscitate TAM 7, and I think the results speak for themselves…!

The public response to my illness has been very generous and flattering. I’m now all the more aware of just how important our work is, and I intend to stay around for a long time because I’ve got a lot to do. My prognosis is good, even though I’ve decided to go along with this old-fashioned “orthodox” medicine, cutting back on the prayers and faith-healing, and opting for minimal voodoo ceremonies.

I want to thank Sean McCabe, my personal assistant who has been with me for the past year as an intern and now returns to his home on the other side of the world before resuming his interrupted academic studies. He took of a whole year to serve as a JREF resident intern. I’m very grateful to Sean for his most excellent attendance on my needs, and I’m reluctant to see him go. He will be replaced by Brandon K. Thorpe, who now takes on the job of saving me from at least some of my more grievous errors.

In no special order: I want to thank Jamy Ian Swiss, with whom I’ll participate after lunch today in what should be a very entertaining – and maybe embarrassing – discussion, Managing Director A Kovacs, Bart Farkas – who is again handling press relationships for us, Jeff Wagg, the JREF Outreach and Communications Manager, Rich Montalvo & Staci Woodrum – manning the video recording, Alison Smith, who manages the woo-woo applicants for us, our tried-and-true friend Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack, Paul Anagnastopolis – in charge of the JREF scholarship program, and a couple of Scots: Scot Morris, a former editor of OMNI Magazine, who I first met many moons ago in that position, and Scott Romanowski – who commands our very efficient and hard-working volunteer platoon.

Also, volunteer Ed Behr, who has our JREF merchandising under supervision, Karl Shallenberger – again hand-in-hand with Linda – and what TAM could be complete without Michael Shermer and Pat Linse? The constant clicking you’ll be hearing will come from Scott Hurst, who has huge picture files of TAM events and – I’m told – can be talked into sharing them. Jose Alvarez, the artist who created the fabulous “Carlos” character for us in 1988 in Australia – and whose effects are still being felt Down Under! – is among us, too. Our faithful Aussie buddy Richard Saunders, the origami master, will fold almost any damn thing into a fantastic character at the slightest hint. And good old Ray Hall, has once more herded the scientific paper presenters into the corral. Penn & Teller, our most excellent friends, magician Mac King, and the brilliant Banachek are also on board, as usual, to our great delight…

Ladies & gentlemen, our present registration for TAM 7 as of this moment – and it will improve somewhat in the next day or so stands at 1007. But please consider: that figure is a tribute to the JREF staff who work so long and hard for 12 months to get it all together. And 3 days from now, they’ll be settling in to figure out how to make TAM 8 take wing, while being diverted to TAM London – our very first TAM off this continent – which is already oversubscribed, folks, with European skeptics trying to squeeze in wherever they can. We MUST be doing something right, don’tcha think?

And please, folks, during your attendance here, take the opportunity of meeting me in person. That’s why I made a special effort to be here at the event, to share your thoughts. We’ve decided that handshakes are perhaps not advisable, in view of the current ‘flu situation, so forgive me on that count, okay? I’m available in the next few days, there’s always an opportunity. Of course, there may be exceptions. If you’re a rich widow you could get a hug – upon the presentation of valid documentation, of course.

In closing, briefly, I love you all and I – and my staff – are grateful for your support. And I’ll beat this problem I presently have, I assure you.

Ladies and gentlemen of all ages, thank you for attending The Amaz!ng Meeting 7! Thank you, thank you, and thank you…

www.randi.org

“Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl Sagan. Frightening, yet oddly exhilarating.”
- Daniel H. Wilson, author of How to Survive a Robot Uprising

A lively astronomy primer that uses cataclysmic scenarios to explain the universe’s most fascinating events. According to astronomer Philip Plait, the universe is an apocalypse waiting to happen But how much do we really need to fear from things like black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and supernovae? And if we should be scared, is there anything we can do to save ourselves? With humour and wit, Plait details the myriad doomsday events that the cosmos could send our way to destroy our planet and life as we know it. This authoritative yet accessible study is the ultimate astronomy lesson. Combining fascinating and often alarming scenarios that seem plucked from science fiction with the latest research and opinions, Plait illustrates why outer space is not as remote as most people think. Each chapter explores a different phenomenon, explaining it in easy-to-understand terms, and considering how life on earth and the planet itself would be affected should the event come to pass. Rather than sensationalizing the information, Plait analyses the probability of these catastrophes occurring in our lifetimes and what we can do to stop them. With its entertaining tone and enlightening explanation of unfathomable concepts, Death from the Skies will appeal to science buffs and beginners alike.

Reviews:

“Plait, an astronomer and author of the popular Web site badastronomy.com, presents ‘in loving detail’ the many, many ways the human race could die, from temperature extremes and poisonous atmosphere to asteroid impacts and supernovae explosions. Such a state of destruction existed some 65 million years ago, when a giant meteoroid struck Earth, sending up so much flaming debris that ‘the whole planet caught fire’ and the dinosaurs were wiped out. Solar flare activity could bring on another Ice Age. Worse yet would be a gamma ray burster, a collapsed star whose radiation would be comparable to detonating ‘a one-megaton nuclear bomb over every square mile of the planet.’ Plait discusses insatiable black holes, the death of the Sun and cannibal galaxies — including our own. Balancing his doomsday scenarios with enthusiastic and clear explanations of the science behind each, Plait offers a surprisingly educational and enjoyable astronomical horror show, including a table listing the extremely low odds of each event occurring. He gives readers a good scare, and then puts it in context.” Publishers Weekly © Reed Business Information, Inc

“Phil Plait has done it again. He brings his unique and funny voice of reason and sanity to bear on making sense of a deadly universe. If things worked the way I wanted them to, any reporter about to do another “sensational” story on deadly meteors would consult this volume and BANG! Common sense would find it’s way into the news. How strange would THAT world be? On his blog and in his books, Plait is an important source of sanity and critical thinking, with just the right sense of wonder, reminding us that the universe is an amazing enough place without having to make crap up about it..”
— Adam Savage, from Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters

“These Doomsday scenarios are as gripping as any science fiction, but– amazingly–each one is grounded in carefully researched science. Plait’s message is simple: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow–or five billion years from now–we die!”
- Simon LeVay, Ph.D., author of When Science Goes Wrong: Twelve Tales from the Dark Side of Discovery

“Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl Sagan. Frightening, yet oddly exhilarating.”
- Daniel H. Wilson, author of How to Survive a Robot Uprising

The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Philip Plait — renowned astronomer, author, and skeptic — will be taking on the role of President of the JREF effective immediately.

The goals of the JREF are to bring critical thinking to the public, expose pseudoscientific frauds, and promote real science and rationality.

“Phil is a skeptic, a scientist, and a colleague, and his ideas and vigor will take the JREF very far indeed. We’re pleased and proud to have him take the reins,” said James Randi, internationally known magician and critical thinker, who is the founder and outgoing president of the JREF. “I will now be dedicating much of my time to completing my next two books, Wrong!, and A Magician in the Laboratory.”

Dr. Plait has a long affiliation with the JREF. He has been a speaker at all of The Amaz!ng Meetings — a JREF-sponsored annual conference series and the largest gathering of critical thinkers in the world — and over the years has provided valuable advice and support for the JREF in scientific and other matters. During that time he has grown to be a strong part of the Foundation.

Before joining the JREF, Dr. Plait spent ten years performing scientific research using the Hubble Space Telescope, much of it as a contractor at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. It was at this time that he created the Bad Astronomy website, where he critically (and humorously) analyzes various astronomical myths and misconceptions. His debunking of the Moon Hoax (people who think NASA faked the Apollo Moon landings) became an Internet favorite, bringing in tens of millions of views.

His award-winning Bad Astronomy Blog is one of the largest and most popular scientific blogs in the world. In July 2008 it was acquired by Discover Magazine, where his audience continues to grow. Plait is an internationally sought-after lecturer and has given numerous interviews on national TV, radio, and podcasts. He has written two popular-level science books: Bad Astronomy (Wiley and Sons, 2002), and the upcoming Death from the Skies! (Viking 2008), which deals with cosmic catastrophes. It was his first book that brought him to the attention of Mr. Randi, who asked him to speak at the JREF’s 2003 conference.

In fact, Plait attributes his current stature in the skeptical community to James Randi. “When I was young, I believed in all sorts of antiscientific silliness like the Bermuda Triangle, astral projection, and the like. But then I saw Mr. Randi on television masterfully and literally dissecting psychic surgery [con artists who fake using psychic powers to do phony surgery on desperately ill victims], and he opened my eyes — and my brain — to the idea that reality is a better place to live in than fantasy. I owe it all to Mr. Randi, so I am very excited and deeply honored to continue his vision with the JREF.”

Outgoing President James Randi has pursued “psychic” spoonbenders, exposed the dirty tricks of faith healers, investigated homeopathic water “with a memory,” and generally been a thorn in the sides of those who try to pull the wool over the public’s eyes in the name of the supernatural. He is the author of numerous books, including The Truth About Uri Geller, The Faith Healers, Flim-Flam!, and An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural. Mr. Randi’s long-standing challenge for proof of claims of the paranormal now stands as a $1,000,000 prize administered by the Foundation. It remains unclaimed. Mr. Randi will become the Chairman of the JREF Board of Directors, where he will continue to guide the JREF and be a driving force for its endeavors.

With Dr. Plait at the helm, the JREF will be expanding its efforts, including educating children. “I want to teach kids about the wonders of the real Universe. We can do this by partnering with the educational community and developing fun, hands-on materials that schoolchildren can use in the classroom to teach them about critical thinking and the scientific method. Science is sometimes taught as being cold and dull, but nothing could be more wrong! It’s exciting, it’s fun, and it’s cool. Kids are natural scientists, and we need to encourage that, foster it, and let it grow.”

The JREF was established in 1996 as a registered 501(c)3 organization under the IRS code, and as such, all donations to the Foundation are tax-exempt to the full extent under the law.

For further information and media inquiries, contact the JREF:
Via phone: +1-954-467-1112
Via email: jref@randi.org

More information on the James Randi Educational Foundation can be found online at http://www.randi.org/joom/about-the-foundation.html

Print-quality photographs of Dr. Plait are available on his website at http://www.badastronomy.com/pr/images.html. Pictures of James Randi are available at http://www.randi.org/joom/press-center.html.

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