Theos-Talk Archives (May 2000 Message tt00041)

Does this ring any bells anywhere, and what are we to make of it?

The following appeared in the editorial of a magazine on antiquarian books,
about a subscribers list for librarians, book collector's etc:

The list: "is largely made up of librarians, book dealers and book
collectors, from around the world some 1,600 in number. The quiet types you
would believe. This list which usually posts only a few messages each day
suddenly produced over fifty e-mails in one day.  What had happened?  The
list-server based in America, the 'land of the free' had sent out an e-mail
from the moderator informing the subscribers that certain types of e-mails
were now banned.  Apparently, at least one subscriber had been moved from
the list.  For several days the e-mails raged, the contents ranged from
sensible questions to rather rude remarks about the moderator, subscribers
left the list.  It all reminds me of children squabbling in a playground.
But as one subscriber pointed out what had happened to 'freedom of
speech'...." [ANTIQUARIAN BOOK MONTHLY, May 2000 issue)

How is this to be SQUARED (THIN OBLONG SQUARED, that is) with the whole
spirit of the freedom of the Internet?

As an example, it is interesting to see the different reactions to HPB's use
of the term "thin oblong squares":

Both Peter and Daniel have developed the whole concept of THIN OBLONG
SQUARES using quotes from HPB and other sources.

Others simply say HPB got it wrong, at the same time accusing others of
bickering, being Jesuits and god knows what else, for suggesting HPB was
right.

And others MODERATE HPB's "The Voice of the Silence," so that yet others
never get the opportunity of knowing that HPB ever wrote THIN OBLONG
SQUARES.

Tony


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