Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I hardly ever comment on persons being rude and/or narrow-minded on this list. I do assume that facts speak for themselves and if not it is no use trying to bring some sense and sensibility into the discussion. If Jim Brick however feels offended I have to make an exception. I am amazed that one or two individuals on this list, by a stubborn refusal to accept that individuals who hold a view different from their own, might have some valuable insights, can upset a man like Jim. He at least tries to argue with facts and with passion but he can clearly distinguish between the two. We have since the earliest of times two cultures: one is committed to find the truth by reasoning and fact finding disregarding ones own ideas, and the world of science is full of people who, confronted by facts, had to restate theories and revise opinions. And they gladly did, because the search for truth is above the personal conviction. The other culture is the world of superstition and believe. We all know what this amounts to: from witch hunting to Mc Carthy groups of individuals have tried to suppress the free flow of facts and ideas, because they did not like the content. No proof ever was needed, just the simple rule, that person A does not want to hear what person B has to say and so B is suspect and considered insulting to person A. I am not for or against digital printing and I ams ure neither is Jim What we try to establish is ONE: to find the best output medium for our Leica pictures not by repeating mantras but by solid research and TWO to express our awe and enthusiasm for a medium that delivers outstanding quality, not because it is steeped in history but because it has timeless inherent image qualities, that you may learn to love to master. If some person finds the expression of such enthusiasm and the study of its properties an insult to his views, we should reflect for a moment on the roots for this 'insult'. The LUG, unfortunately always follows this predictable pattern. There is an interesting and valuable topic, then one or a few of the participants in the discussion have to leave the level of logical reasoning and fact finding and feel inclined to do a fair share of person-bashing. A public discussion is as good as the quality of its participants. Pity that for some, the goal of an exchange of opinions is not fact finding, but the domination of their own beliefs. Erwin