Hi all... To Jody and Robbie I say this: The format is right.
The content mix is right. Your judgment is sound. Stick with it.
I like a little variety. The contents list is a quick guide as to
what to avoid (when it is in the right place <g>), and we need a bit of
humour or occasional light relief. As to the use of grammar and
spelling I find the general standard of literacy amongst MMDers very
high, and consider it a totally valid subject matter. If any of us
aspire to serious writing about Mechanical Music then let us benefit
from one another in this respect also.
I support Robbie's view on correct use of grammar 100%. The sloppy use
of a word is to be regretted, especially when there is a proper
alternative available. Of course it comes down to one's philosophy.
If you are not bothered about how you write or how you sound and
consider etymology fair game for your carelessness then the meaning
of words will become corrupt to the detriment and confusion of us all.
Inventing new words is one thing -- I have no problem with a living
language -- but the deliberate misappropriation of words is anathema
to a lover of language.
Sorry folks, I have gone a little over the top. It makes me sad to see
words such as aggravation and gay become bastardized to the point where
they become unusable in the original, proper sense.
Finally, one other little point which slipped through last week.
I saw one contributor describe an acquaintance as "the most unique
person I have ever known". Uniqueness, by its very nature, cannot
be relative!
Roger Waring
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