EFTA02436030.pdf
dataset_11 pdf 166.0 KB • Feb 3, 2026 • 2 pages
T:
eevaca ion gmal .com eevaca ion gmai .com ,
From: Elon Musk
Sent: Wed 8/26/2009 4:52:06 PM
Subject: Re: Lisa Randall
I agree
Original Message
From: Pritzker, Nick
To: John Brockman • :•; Elon Musk; W. Daniel Hillis
Jeffrey Epstein <'eevacatione• ail.com>; Larry Page
Saler Kamangar Nathan
Myhrvold Charles Simonyi Jeff
Skoll Pierre Omidyar • Sean
Parker
Sent: Wed Aug 26 09:33:45 2009
Subject: RE: Lisa Randall
John: with a board of advisors of this caliber, Lisa could be in REAL trouble!!
I suspect the consensus would be for Cal Tech, because it's closer to where most
of us live. I'm not sure about the negotiating/institutional dynamics though. I
will give Lisa a call to discuss in any event.
I'm sure she appreciates your efforts to help. n
Original Message
From: John Brockman [mailto
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Pritzker, Nick; Elon Musk; W. Daniel Hillis; Jeffrey Epstein; Larry Page;
Salar Kamangar; Nathan Myhrvold; Charles Simonyi; Jeff Skoll; Pierre Omidyar;
Sean Parker
Subject: Lisa Randall
Eastover Farm
Nick, Elon, Danny, JE, Larry, Salar, Nathan, Charles, Jeff, Pierre, Sean,
Lisa Randall needs advice re a possible move from the Harvard Physics Department
to either Caltech or NYU, both of which have extended job offers. She's unhappy
at Harvard, where the department seems to be intent on pulling the rug out from
under her at every opportunity, and she wants a change. I am writing to all of
you because I am out of my depth in advising her on her choices between
universities and physics departments, compensation packages, etc. In this regard,
it occurred to me that any of you might have good advice and/or connections and
that Lisa might benefit by talking to you directly.
Some background:
I believe NYU has already matched her Harvard salary and just this week, a donor
put up $5 million to build up the physics department around her if she comes
[i.e. adding two more senior faculty, support services, etc.).
She prefers Caltech, both for the department and the ambience of LA.
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Their offer involves much less teaching but also less money. I have advised her
not to take a penny less than she is making now. If there are resources available
to allow Caltech to match her deal with NYU, that would require someone who knows
the department to check it out (and that's not me).
As Lisa's literary agent, as far as getting the attention of the media and
readers in general, Harvard is the gold standard, and Caltech is high-value. But
NYU is not even on the cultural map. (I have exactly one client there and don't
know of anyone to chase). In any event, Lisa's next book is sold and this
shouldn't be a consideration in her decision. And in general, it hasn't hurt
Steve Weinberg and Shelly Glashow to have left Harvard.
I know: Lisa is not easy. Some people are that way. But I say she's worth it.
And, in terms of science, we all need to do what we can to give women a place at
the table. It's not easy being a woman - perhaps the top woman - in theoretical
physics, and nobody expects her male counterparts to be regular guys (nor are
they). As I have said many times with regard to myself and the people I like to
talk to: "Nice isn't enough". (And that includes all of you!).
Contact info:
Lisa Randall
mobile
Best to all,
JB
mobile
John Brockman
Edge Foundation, Inc.
5 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
tel:
Visit the EDGE Website:
http://www.edge.org
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