The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.0604 Monday, 5 April 1999.
[1] From: David Evett <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999 18:06:19 -0500
Subj: Re: SHK 10.0600 Re: Elizabeth's Nicknames
[2] From: Hardy M. Cook <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Monday, April 05, 1999
Subj: Traffic on SHAKSPER of Late
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: David Evett <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999 18:06:19 -0500
Subject: 10.0600 Re: Elizabeth's Nicknames
Comment: Re: SHK 10.0600 Re: Elizabeth's Nicknames
In the presence not only of the nicknames thread but also those on
lime/line and hedge priest, a vigorous "Hear, hear" for Frank Whigham's
suggestion that list members consider supporting their contributions
with at least a little research in the usual scholarly way. If you're
reading the question at the office, and your books are at home, why not
make a note, look up whatever it is, and respond the next day? I don't
want to rob the discussions of the informality and speed which is part
of their appeal, but a mere guess that occupies 500 people for 30
seconds apiece and adds nothing to their knowledge or understanding
could be plausibly said to have wasted 4.25 person-hours (I do not
include the time Hardy spends getting it mounted on the list) and some
measurable amounts of electricity, satellite time, server time, etc.
And the gratification that comes from having something concrete to offer
is real. I do not, indeed, mean to suggest that everything needs to
conform to what C. S. Lewis called the dry-as-dust culture of academe
(he was in favor of that, in fact)--there is plenty of room for wit and
speculation and uncertainty. But these thrive best and serve best when
they are founded in knowledge and reflection.
Dave Evett
[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Hardy M. Cook <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Monday, April 05, 1999
Subject: Traffic on SHAKSPER of Late
Dear SHAKSPEReans,
As you have undoubtedly noticed, the traffic on SHAKSPER has been as
high of late as I ever recall it being. The postings have, for the most
part, been wide-ranging and thoughtful. However, the number of them has
been overwhelming for many. I know because of the increased amount of
time it has been taking me to edit and format the individual digests. I
know others know because 1) some members quit and tell me it was because
they were getting too much mail from SHAKSPER and 2) because others of
you, who have the good fortune of not suffering from obsessive
compulsive personality disorder, are telling me you are beginning to
develop delete-key fatigue syndrome, a disorder that could far surpass
carpel-tunnel syndrome.
I am, of course, delighted that so many of you have been contributing,
but the volume of mail is really high. Dave Evett makes a suggestion
above that I believe is a good one and worthy of considering. Agreeing
with Dave, I have no desire to curtail the informality and spontaneity
that is part of the fun of being a member of this list; however, might I
make a suggestion that members count slowly to ten before hitting the
reply key. Perhaps if members did so, the amount of mail may once again
become a bit more reasonable. The stimulating discussions on this list
could not happen without the active and thoughtful contributions of its
members, but no one need ever apologize to me for being a lurker either
- a hundred plus e-mails a day is fine, 1500 would kill me.
I very much enjoyed meeting new and old friends and members at the SAA
Conference in San Francisco. I also enjoyed having an entire continent
between me and my office, and I am proud to add that I did not connect
to the Internet for four whole days.
I thank you all again for the many expressions of support I have
received, and I would like to announce that as a consequence of my work
with SHAKSPER, electronic texts, and humanities computing in general, I
will on Friday, April 9, 1999, be receiving The University System of
Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in
Research/Scholarship/Creative Activity, the highest honor bestowed by
the Board to recognize faculty achievement in teaching, scholarship, and
public service.
Thanks to all for making SHAKSPER the outstanding academic discussion
group that it is.
Best wishes,
Hardy