Klarinet Archive - Posting 000066.txt from 2003/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Anons
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 08:46:33 -0400

At 09:43 PM 7/1/2003 -0700, Kevin Fay wrote:
>Posting an *idea* anonymously has a pernicious side effect - you're forced
>to evaluate the idea on its own, without context or baggage.
>Posting/publishing anonymously also allows one to proffer ideas that may be
>unpopular.

One of the important factors used in evaluating an idea is consideration of
the SOURCE of the idea. Anonymity makes evaluation MORE difficult. And if
one does not have the moxie to back up his unpopular opinion, maybe he
should keep it to himself?

>In this country (USA), there's a long history of anonymous political
>discourse. Most of the pamphlets from the American Revolution were first
>published anonymously - in no small part out of fear of retribution, no
>doubt. Most of the Federalist Papers were first published anonymously as
>well, however, when there could be no personal backlash, under the theory
>that the ideas should stand by themselves. The difference between an
>anonymous opinion and that of a person who offers a name unknown to me is
>negligible.

Of course, in the cited case above, these guys were in genuine fear for
their LIVES. That they even dared to get the ideas out anonymously still
put them in grave danger. I think they can be forgiven under those
circumstances. Clarinetists in general are a pretty tightly wound bunch,
but I don't believe most issues on the list involve life and death situations.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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