Andrew, you're a genius.
There's not many people who could write a note like that: gracious, humorous, threatening, charming, jovial, and direct all at once. You are thoroughly professional.
I apologize for my post on declining literacy; if I wanted to contribute, I should have thought of something germane to say about pastoral.
>>> andrew zurcher <[log in to unmask]> 06/10/08 2:39 PM >>>
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Sender: Sidney-Spenser Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Poster: andrew zurcher <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: A problem with pastoral
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I would remind list members that, although soapboxing, caricatures,
scoffing, and mean-spirited metaphors are all good fun, and are the
particular specialty of those on this list, like me, whose mouths and/or
spleens have been somewhat liberally nourished; we should for the sake of
our collective sanity strive to keep our discussions focused on the study
of Spenser and Sidney. Long-term trends in literacy in the US or elsewhere
are not our concern here, nor is the state of the academic profession or
the plight of individuals in the job market, much as it is close to my
heart (and my spleen). I exhort list members to use their experienced
judgments, and keep the wolves away.
As moderator, one thing I feel obliged not to tolerate on this list is ad
hominem/ad feminam attacks or slurs, and we are headed in that direction.
A frank, liberal, and human discussion is always welcome; if the present
heat goes on, or goes much further, I will be forced to make surgical
interventions, and I would like to avoid that.
I would very much like this list to keep its reputation for spirited but
generous discussion and debate. I hope we can all keep this thought to the
fore.
Thanks,
andrew
Andrew Zurcher
Queens' College
Cambridge CB3 9ET
United Kingdom
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