do thank you notes really work?

I just sent an assload of thank you e-mails to people i met at the magazine i just interviewed with. my question is, in a deep and philosophical context, do thank you notes actually help you get the job?

here's the thing, do recruiters or people in positions of power (i.e. those with the ability to hire me and then induct me into a system where i would be paid) actually think, "oh wow, this person sent a lovely thank you note. i think i'll hire her?"

if i were hiring, and i got a thank you note, i'd think something along the lines of, "what kind of kiss-ass nonsense is this? do you think that writing a thank you note is going to cover up the fact that you're a total imbecile?"

supposedly, they help the recruiters remember you - help you stand out in the crowd. but if you need to be remembered, you were probably pretty mediocre in the first place. and you'll probably suck at your job anyway right?

and what am i exactly thanking these people for? for taking time out of their day? for meeting me? isn't it their job? they're getting paid to meet me. why do i need to thank someone for doing their job? i'll thank the dude/chick when i get the friggin job!

in conclusion, thank you notes suck. but i will continue to write them. it's all part of the games we play. and i like games. especially pictionary and taboo.