SC - questions

[david friedman]

In a message dated 6/15/00 1:11:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time, ddfr at best.com 
writes:

> You seem to be using "all right" as "this is something you can do 
>  without deserving punishment" Why?

Punishment?  Your Grace, surely you do not believe that anyone in this 
"hobby" should be punished for doing something in their own fashion.... This 
is not recess on the schoolyard!  If I were to pay (and pay I do) to belong 
to this Society, I would probably become physically angered and quite 
bellicose if anyone attempted to "punish" me for doing something which does 
not meet _their_ standards...

>  
>  Suppose someone asked you whether to read a book. You happen to think 
>  the book is dreadful. Do you say "It's all right to read that book?" 
>  Wouldn't it be more useful to say "I don't think you should read that 
>  book--it is dreadfully written and boring." 

Of course I would tell them it's allright to read that book.  "I" may not 
read the book again, but I cannot, in good conscience, suggest that someone 
else not read it.  Their ideas of "good and bad" may differ from mine.  They 
may be looking for a different benefit from  the book than I was.  Case in 
point:  I am an avid atheist, and detest the Bible and all it stands for, but 
would never think of telling my son that he should not read it.  It is his 
choice.  If he asks me my opinion on it, I will certainly tell him, and then 
suggest that he make his own decision (which can only be reached _after_ he 
has read it for himself).


>  But every time someone says the equivalent for period cooking--"you 
>  ought not to serve out of period food because it makes events feel 
>  less period," or "you ought to cook from period recipes because it is 
>  fun, interesting, and educational," you treat the statement as if it 
>  were a command rather than advice.

If someone on this list were to approach the subject in that way, I would 
have no quarrel with it.  However, if you take a look at the previous posts, 
you will quickly learn that the author in question was neither that 
diplomatic nor relaxed, by his own admission.  I do not have a problem with 
someone "suggesting" that further research be done, or "suggesting" that a 
more period attempt be made.  I do have a problem with someone "insisting" 
that it be done.  Until someone pays my membership dues, drives my tuchus and 
gear to War, pays for me at gate, and feeds me, clothes me, and provides me 
with libations and entertainments, _no one_ has the right to "insist" that I 
do anything in any manner other than my own.

Balthazar of Blackmoor  


Mr. Wizard, what happens when you combine pasta and antipasta?