I hear you, Gonzongo. I sense that it isn't TA that you want to talk about, but the usual topic, the defense of lord and master. I understand. We need guidance. After all, it wasn't a discussion of volume that drew you out of the woodwork. But the topic that prompts your gentle gibes, your kind reproaches, is boring, even with the inspiring literary allusions. We're frankly tired of it. It's craven, it's slavish, it puts no one in a good light.
Lord and master rides out into the country -- after resting up from his latest purges, denunciations, ravings, grand inquisitions, etc. -- and wants nothing more than to be greeted with cries of acclamation, not howls of execration. He wants to be showered with praise, not pelted with rotten vegetables. And here you are, the loyal courtier, offended. How dare this ruffian Monty say these things! Monty, move along, lest you find yourself heaved into the gutter, or worse: unsubscribed. I respect your TA experience, Monty, but dear fellow, you're out of line! Behave or off with you!
But Gonzongo, it's not persuasive, the appeal to discuss TA, even when delivered with your usual spoonfuls of honey. That pompous gibberish about high points and pivot points in a recent note wasn't TA: It was rehashed drivel, it was nothing more than circularities; there was no point on which to pivot. It was piffle, or worse, something on the end of a pitchfork. It was circumlocution, the tiresome flexing of flabby TA muscle before the newbies. The public just isn't buying it. Well, not everyone at least.
This isn't a private mail list. It's a tough crowd out here. The unsubscribed, the untouchables, are lurking in these public forums -- unmoderated, immoderate, immodest, immoral, imperfect, impertinent, impassioned, impeachable. Yes, in short, the unsubscribed. With your imperial group,, there can only be an impasse. We hear your exhortations to take the high road, return to the topic -- we really do. But to get us back on track, it's going to take more than gentle proddings, insults meant in all kindness.
Why don't you contribute a formula or two; welcome a differing viewpoint; start a list based on a desire to include, not exclude; offer apologies to the good pals you sold down the river; urge a friend to drop a long-time grudge; thank a friend for forgiving some bad mistakes; and be willing to become a newbie again, instead of one of those who know everything. |
