Theos-Talk Archives (February 2001 Message tt00222)

In any publishing, a lot of editing goes on; much of it may be make sure 
the language is precise and easy to understand without misunderstanding. Of 
course, when literary geniuses put out their work, on the other hand, any 
editing might diminish the value of the literary output. Imagine some 
editor trying to edit before Shakespeare published his works? While edited 
works end up with correct grammar and construction and use vocabulary, 
qualifying for Grade A in an English Class room course work, as a literary 
output it would be failure.

In today's world, the editing is controlled by the publisher. Along with 
this control goes censoring as well as editing to mislead or provide 
potentially misleading information or conclusion. This becomes more 
critical when the publisher has its own organizational, political, 
"spiritual" or other vested axes to grind and these take priority over all 
other issues relating to the publication. Add to this, the legal and 
financial issues and complications surrounding publishing.

For the first time in history, now creative writers and authors have a 
choice -- Internet. The publishing on the Internet is free for all 
practical purposes. There is also no intermediary looking over the 
shoulders or censoring or editing or giving a spin on the published 
material. The author is able to directly communicate with the readers -- 
end users of the work and this also provides opportunity for unknown 
authors and rookies to publish with very little investment in money or 
other costs.

It is apparent that writers and authors are yet to embrace the opportunity 
provided by Internet, perhaps due to lack of knowledge about what Internet 
offers and perhaps due to the pecuniary interest of making some money from 
royalties. The current mess that was explained by Dr. Tillett regarding the 
work of John Cooper regarding HPB's material is a clear cut case 
exemplifying the fact that Internet alternative, if John Cooper had chosen 
the Internet publishing, might have been completely avoided. In addition 
the material would have been in the hands of the readers several months ago 
and at no cost to the readers. I am sure other authors can tell horror 
stories of their experience with publishers and editors (and censors).

Much to the disappointment of most organizations which have flourished for 
centuries in an atmosphere where the organization exert total autocratic 
control over dissemination of information (Information is Power!!!) (by 
using one or the other valid and questionable arguments, including 
spiritual ones - how the Adept Hierarchy works) when the publishing medium 
is owned by the organization and there were no other alternatives, Internet 
is a medium of recent origin that no individual or organization is able to 
control or censor. Volume of info as well as the velocity of info flow 
makes it impossible to introduce a spin. One tactic that organizations have 
tried to adopt is to keep its following ignorant of the info and 
resources available on Internet. While this temporarily worked, the 
search engines have nullified the effectiveness of such tactics. The 
examples of this and other very successful maillists, which are owned by 
individuals who have kept them unmoderated (and we very rarely see the 
owners presence at all.) where unfettered expression of opinions and 
discussions can and do go on a wide variety of topics exemplifies the 
opportunity that we all have which have never existed at any time in the 
history.

More opportunities are going to be provided by Internet for communicating 
and educating ourselves on a wide variety of topics. Let us all keep tuned 
in and make the best of the opportunities we are fortunate to be 
beneficiaries of.

mkr