Re: Orphans, etc.

[Alex Holzman <aholzman@temple.edu>]

I confess, I'd drafted a somewhat dark statement of my own in 
response M. Guedon's characterization of an entire profession's 
humanity.  Joe's chosen a much more lighthearted and constructive 
path to which I gladly defer. The rest of us on this list should 
follow his example and return to our customary level of civility.

Alex Holzman
Director
Temple University Press
Email: aholzman@temple.edu
http://www.temple.edu/tempress


On Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 8:31 PM, Joseph Esposito 
<espositoj@gmail.com> wrote:

> What grim and dark mood has fallen on this thread?  Here we 
> have David Prosser:
>
> "It's interesting and maybe tells us something in addition to 
> list participants stating their opinions.  Of course, when such 
> studies reinforce our prejudices we cite them; when they don't, 
> we invent charming analogies to show why they can't possibly be 
> true."
>
> I think the proper response to this statement is "Speak for 
> yourself." I am astonished by this display of cynicism about 
> sources and citations on a list dedicated to librarianship and 
> scholarly communications.
>
> And here we have Jean-Claude:
>
> "It is true that print has transformed documents into 
> merchandise, into goods; that does not mean that other forms of 
> value are not present. Henry James' novels were sold less and 
> less as he grew older. By Joe Esposito's criterion, Henry 
> James' novels were worth nothing or little more than nothing 
> for a while before coming back to some (moderate) level of 
> (commercial) value more recently."
>
> Of course, I never said or thought any such thing.  And to use 
> my personal favorite, Henry James, as a shibboleth is cruel. 
> What I did say is that asking people to pay an economic price 
> when they themselves have no economic benefit is not realistic.
>
> Gentlemen, lighten up!  I am with Lambeth Strether:  "Live! 
> Live all you can!"
>
> Joe Esposito
>
> Joseph J. Esposito
> Portable CEO
> espositoj@gmail.com
> @josephjesposito
> +Joseph Esposito