The infamous former classmate of TRP

[Unknown User]

Jules Siegel wrote:
> 
> At 07:20 PM 05/9/97 -0700, you wrote:
> 
> >lighten up, fella. this whole internet publishing thing is overblown.
> >david foster wallace put the entire text of infinite jest online, but
> >the book (read:paper) was still a best-seller. the internet is a
> >resource, an addendum to what is published on paper, and will never
> >replace the good old book. the internet should be about access and
> >freedom, and should not be a marketing tool to those serious about
> >reading and thinking ( though companies will always try to exploit
> >everything they can). you took a passing joke/comment way too seriously,
> >in my opinion. the merits of literary pursuit will be realized in paper
> >'product.' unclench the buttcheeks, pal. have fun.
> 
> [1] I wasn't responding to the joke but to Giordani's jab about hypocrisy.
> [2] Wallace put his own book online. If someone else had done it, how would
> he have felt? [3] The issue isn't the effect on print sales, but the effect
> on the copyright itself, which could go into the public domain unless
> defended. [4] What the Internet should be and actually is are two different
> concepts. [5] Moreover, remember that I'm the one that was so viciously
> attacked over the past few weeks for having used some material that was
> really not much more than "passing comments" in a book. I was called a pimp,
> a leech, a parasite, a thief, a wannabe writer, among other insults -- and
> those were the compliments.
> 
> --
> Professional English-Language Editorial Services
> Jules Siegel http://www.caribe.net.mx/siegel/jsiegel.htm
> >From US: http://www.yucatanweb.com/siegel/jsiegel.htm
> Apdo 1764 Cancun Q. Roo 77501 Tel 011-52-98 87-49-18 Fax 87-49-13
points well taken. let me respond, however, to point 4. as with any
contingency argument, one must be careful not to put the cart before the
horse, ie & also if the internet is not living up to its potential, it
is up to us, users of the internet, to nudge it along. if the internet
should be an access medium but is not, the logical next step is to make
information accessible via the net. eg why aren't people nice? they just
aren't. bullshit. be nice. since paradise will not ceate itself, we must
set a precident, knowing that paradise will not be fully realized. many
of the goodies to be found on the internet are to be had at a price, but
there are still those cheritable souls who give it up without cost.
you've put together a book comprised of your work and the work of
others, based upon this list. why not make it available to those who
contribute to the list? would you sell them their own commentary?
ray