February 20, 2004

Awards are their own Reward

Posted by Kieran

To my chagrin, it was Laurie and not I who received this letter yesterday:

Dear Mr [sic] Paul,

2000 OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS OF THE 21st CENTURY

The International Biographical Center of Cambridge, England, has published more than 1,000,000 biographies of people of note from all over the world in more than 200 editions of its reference works. Housed in libraries and research institutions in every country of the globe, these books provide vital information for academia, industry and private use. … It is my pleasure than to invited you to complete the enclosed form for this exciting new publication — 2000 OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS OF THE 21st CENTURY. This, the inaugural edition, will be published in late 2004 and will be distributed throughout the world immediately … Demand promises to be great but I have reserved a limited number of copies for the use of biographees only. Each copy is offered at a substantially reduced pre-publication subscription price as a means of thanking yo for completing the enclosed questionnaire. There is no obligation to purchase whatsoever as selection is based on merit alone. We are also proud to offer a fine range of Commemorative Awards to celebrate your significant achievements…

Priority Biographee Reservation Form: … Please supply EITHER
  •       Copy/ies of the case bound Grand Edition at US$225 or £135 Sterling each.
  •       OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS OF THE 21st CENTURY DIPLOMA, printed in three colours, inscribed with my name and chosen citation at US$225 or £135 Sterling each.
  •       OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS OF THE 21st CENTURY MEDAL, silver finished, engraved with my name and supplied in a presentation case at US$225 or £135 Sterling each.
… On the OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS OF THE 21st CENTURY DIPLOMA please inscribe the citation as follows: “In Honor of an Outstanding Contribution in the field of (Max 40 letters):                           .

I’m thinking I need one of these Diplomas, for my Outstanding Contribution in the field of Excellence.

Posted on February 20, 2004 12:49 AM UTC
Comments

Ever wonder how Hillary “achieved” the honor of membership in the “America’s Top Lawyers” club or whatever it was?

Posted by djb · February 20, 2004 01:10 AM

Outstanding ACHIEVEMENT in the field of excellence.

All I ever got was Who’s Who Among American High School Students….

Posted by Katherine · February 20, 2004 02:31 AM

I was selected among the Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21 st century - an interesting point of distinction, though maybe not one that says much for my academic status. Also, I note that none of Laurie’s proposed awards has been ‘crafted’ - mine would have been, had I paid up.

Posted by John Quiggin · February 20, 2004 04:30 AM

“It is my pleasure than to invited you to complete”

Does the award cover the use of bad grammar and tyoes? [sic]

Posted by nikross · February 20, 2004 05:32 AM
Followups

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.