Leaving aside the degree of heat that is liable to generated between the
protagonists of this little snitty-frit <g>, I think there may be a serious
point here -- that it can be *useful to know who on this list knows about
what, outside the realm of poetry.
Thus, if I have a question with regard to German (about which I'm totally
ignorant), I'd naturally turn to Martin. If it were music, about which I'm
equally ignorant, Joanna Boulter. Computing, either or all of the two
Rogers and Dom Fox (probably depending on the question). And so on ... You
get to know who it's worth asking about some particular things.
Am I the only person who collects a list of contacts who you can trust to
answer patiently and clearly? On the principle of why keep a dog and bark
yourself.
This cuts across academic expertise and qualifications (not necessarily the
same thing) -- there are some academics whom I wouldn't believe even if they
swore on their grandmother's bones, and wouldn't ask the time of day for
fear of getting my head bitten off. I don't think anyone on this list
parades their Academic Status (and I can think of at least one member who
goes to some pains to conceal it).
It does tend to be characteristic of *some of the "serious" academic lists,
god help us. But not of all of them -- nobody plays that sort of status
game on say SHAKSPER, or Ficino, whereas on ... But let's leave it at that,
till I complete my study of Internet Discussion Groups Considered in Terms
of Primate Territoriality. Jeezus, talk about being reminded of a pack of
gorillas standing around and beating their chests -- noyeau is the only term
for it.
My tuppence worth.
Robin
<<
I was going to apologise for being crude, but what with my glass house 'n'
all you'd probably think it artificial, so what's the point.
On 01/11/06, MJ Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Kasper 1) I am not an academic 2) Translations of the German are
> found in what I wrote, if you take the trouble to look. 3) As to the
> word "posturing", you may recall a little proverb about glass houses -
>>
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