Ken,
I started this off list but decided it might as well be public. I hope
it might have some value other than to you and me. Maybe not.
Now that you're back on your meds and your personalities are
reintegrating,
> I have been criticized on the list and off
> for inappropriate use of power because of my title or standing.
there have been times when I thought you inappropriately used your
power of rhetoric and I have pointed it out to you when I thought it
was a problem. I haven't noticed you abusing the power of title or
standing and I'm not sure you could.
I think the PHD-DESIGN list is a bit like high school: We each tend to
think that everyone else has more in common than they do and that we
are uniquely alienated. It took me a long time to figure out how little
many of the regular contributors have in common. (Maybe I'm just
exceptionally slow.)
I don't know if you remember when we first "met" on the graphics list
(eight or ten years back?) but there was someone who was ready to
dismiss anything you said specifically -because- of your title or
standing. While I suspect that "PhD" after one's name isn't a negative
point for most list members, I also suspect there is a variety of noses
raised in all sorts of directions hidden only by the text-only medium.
I Google people on the list to try to figure out who they are and what
they do (in most cases with little success.) I have learned enough to
know that there is no universal currency of accomplishment. What
impresses one list member is likely to be regarded with derision by
another. (Sorry if I'm implying less collegiality than actually
exists.)
My unsolicited advice is to worry about human relationships and the
delicacy of conversations if you want something to worry about. It's
probably worthwhile for all of us to consider not bulldozing others by
what we do or say but don't worry about doing so by what you are. Ms.
Jackson was every bit as formidable as her cross-dressing counterpart.
So take a deep breath and remember the days of taking a deep breath
(Bill Clinton didn't but the rest of us did) while Meher Baba suggested
from the poster on the wall "Don't worry, be happy."
Cheers,
Gunnar
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Gunnar Swanson Design Office
536 South Catalina Street
Ventura California 93001-3625 USA
+1 805 667-2200
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