Klarinet Archive - Posting 000308.txt from 1997/12

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: de Peyer
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 20:26:54 -0500

On Sat, 6 Dec 1997, Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu wrote:

> Bravo to who ever wrote this unsigned note. I cannot understand why this
> group is gossiping with such negative views on a living person who might
> even be on this list or have reports of it made to him. This sort of
> thing borders on slander. It may not be actionable, but it is certainly
> not professional.

Are you suggesting that the only acceptable expression of opinions
on Klarinet, regarding another player's performance style (whether
living or dead), must be complimentary in nature? What a boring
and useless forum this would be if everybody were all stopped up
in the rear, ever stifling their truth in the name of political
correctness. I'm not talking about being rude, however, and there's
no need for anybody to get ugly in their opinions. But even in the
case where tact is questionable, we have to keep an open mind and
try to relax. Klarinet -- to my mind -- is not just about the
transmission of objective data and authoritative criteria for
becoming a good player, teacher, or scholar. If we're willing
to accept positive personal interaction, with ovations toward
favorable playing and gregarious personalities, then there's a
natural suggestion that the less-complimentary reviews and feelings
will be equally tolerated. Take the good with the bad, or get out of
the relationship altogether. This is no "fair weather" forum!

As for the implication of "slander", it doesn't even come close.
Slander pertains to fact, not opinion, and the only element of fact
which exists in the determination of somebody's personal aesthetics
as that they know how they feel. You can't take that away from them,
and you have no power with which to compel censorship of their opinion.
What you do have every right to do is to say, "I disagree" and/or "I feel
differently, and here's why."

Neil