Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 23:23:03 -0400
From: Aden Evens <aden-AT-who.net>
Subject: Amateurs and Professionals


As regards this question of amateurs and professionals, I think this
particular terminology doesn't quite cut to the heart of the issue.
Presumably, by an amateur question, the original author meant one which is
(1) often asked, (2) particularly by newcomers to the list and newcomers to
D&G, is (3) possibly too general, and (4) quite likely responded to already
not only in the list archives but also in other materials that are readily
available and well-known (to experts or 'professionals). None of these
things precludes the questions being profound, stimulating, or otherwise
interesting. On the other hand, I seem to remember that the last couple of
times someone wrote to the list with the (seemingly perennial) question
"What is a Body without Organs?", nothing really interesting came of it,
perhaps because it has been discussed at that level of generality fairly
frequently here. It's still a good question, and might even generate good
discussion, but might also be called 'amateur' for the reasons outlined
above.

I'm going skiing in Montana.


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      Aden
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