the flood re: Fred

[gosfield@dolphin.upenn.edu]

I thought this had all gone away--CPOULD IT BE that the recent
controversial posts were the retransmissions of the ones delayed by their
>40000 length, so that we are now all perpetuating a controversy which 
actually exists in the past....(spacy music...ooowwww)

there is going to be an awful lot of irrelevant personal conflict on this 
list unless we all learn to avoid making personal remarks just because 
someone's comment creates an immediate defensive reaction.  For God's 
sake, how can a bunch of electrons sent by a complete stranger who is and 
will remain invisible to you cause any harm, when they don't even know 
you read them?


I have seen many intemperate remarks on this and other lists which are 
motivated by 'hurt' and 'insult'.  I have also found it possible to have 
useful correspondence with some of the more irascible seeming folks on 
this and other lists by simply avoiding expressing my initial (often 
mistaken) reactions to seeming insult or condescension.  I don't give a 
damn if someone wants to 'insult' me online as long as i can learn from them.
Those who have poor manners will become known for them, and they probably 
won't care anyway.  so what, as long as they don't restrict the freedom 
of others, which they can't do.

For what it is worth, i think Fred was venting his frustration at the 
assumption that the farthest measurable limits of optical quality have 
relevance to the actual technical needs and products of most users.  I 
think he is technically correct.  He made no specific personal 
references, although he responded to a request for information, so it is 
easy to see why the 'querant' (what a great word, counselor) felt hurt 
and insulted.

I accept fred's technical point, but i will continue to buy the very best 
technical quality i can afford, since there is always a possibility i may 
have a need for it on some particular occasion.  I do that with every 
type of technical equipment.  I also like to stroke the lovely metal 
contours of my M3, which is a piece of industrial sculpture as well as a 
workhorse i can drag through the mountains.  We are tool using apes, and 
our brains love to fondle, contemplate, and accumulate delightful tools.  
Good for us.  

William Burroughs said "Want=Need".  I think that is emotionally true, 
although not optically true.  I indulge my emotions when it is possible 
and not harmful to others.  I accept that i have many non-rational 
motivations, and i enjoy them. Art is not rational. 

I don't feel guilty or defensive about owning equipment which has
capabilities i may not always exploit, and i don't think Fred was
'blaming' me for owning or wanting such equipment.  I don't think he was 
making any statement about who "deserves" such equipment--only his 
estimation of the kind of circumstances that "require" it.

I think he was hoping to remind us that we can take great pictures if we
learn how to use pretty much any good equipment around.  ANd he was hoping
to see more discussion of how to do that.  And so am i, although i
enjoy all the other stuff too. (well--i don't care much about serial
numbers, but someone has to)

Is this a waste of bandwidth?--but i am going with the flow
Every once in a while all the villagers have to come out into the square 
or sit down in the meeting hall and shout and gesticulate at each other 
for a while.  It re-establishes their community.

Best wishes for thicker skins and better images to all

ted
gosfield@dolphin.upenn.edu