the sheep and the shepherd

David J. Finnamore wrote,

<<If it weren't for people like you, the rest of us would
wander off on unproductive rabbit trails far more often. You're sort
of like human guardrails keeping the rest of
us from careening off into the ditches of sloppy thinking. (Well,
some people insist on being stuck there, but that's not your fault.)
It was kind of weird when you were gone
from the TL for a while. Even though Graham and Dave K. were still
there, I had this uneasy sense that we were like sheep without a
shepherd.>>

Everyone's obviously entitled to their own opinion and it's nice to
see you offering yours, but as I'm sure you already know, you can
trust this will not be a unanimously agreed upon view.

Paul Erlich, much like Brian McLaren, is somewhat of a controversial
figure in the microtonal community (though for different reasons).

Some folks can't seem to live without him and some folks bristle and
bark at his every word.

I very much respect Paul's knowledge and have posted this sort of
thing many times in the past when various folks were clambering for
his head on a plate. But I also seem to find myself disagreeing with
him about 95% of the time.

My opinion? Learn what you can, but think for yourself... and be
especially wary of the shepherd's hook!

--Dan Stearns

--- In tuning@y..., "D.Stearns" <STEARNS@C...> wrote:

> I very much respect Paul's knowledge and have posted this sort of
> thing many times in the past when various folks were clambering for
> his head on a plate. But I also seem to find myself disagreeing with
> him about 95% of the time.
>
I would have said 5%.

> My opinion? Learn what you can, but think for yourself... and be
> especially wary of the shepherd's hook!
>
I agree with that 100%. Think for yourself, and bounce your ideas off
others -- someone is likely to think of something you never would
have seen.

P.S. This list has always been, and will continue to be, about
practical microtonality as well as about theory. In fact, if anything
should split off, it is the theory part and not the practical part.

Hi Paul

> > I very much respect Paul's knowledge and have posted this sort of
> > thing many times in the past when various folks were clambering for
> > his head on a plate. But I also seem to find myself disagreeing with
> > him about 95% of the time.
> >
> I would have said 5%.

This is unintentionally very funny.

;-)

Hope you don't mind me saying so. I know you are a good sport, so don't
think you will!

Robert