1969), many of the ideas
I shared with him at that time showed up in the series of
films we Trek-ers all know and love. Even the film,
"Generations," contained a few things touching upon that
1969 interview.
Exactly where in my memo did I make a "an offensive and personal attack?" Nowhere. Exactly how did I offer my criticism? Privately, in a memo from me to you. Exactly who has "thrown down a gauntlet?" Not me; I merely wrote to you from my heart, expressing my honest opinion, spending a full day away from my household chores (which didn't really bother me) and from my son (which really did bother me) to produce as well-rounded an expression of my objections as humanly possible.
Kevin, I am sorry you decided to stand so strongly behind your Klingon persona. As a matter of fact, it is hard to determine where Kevin ends and Kordite begins. I took all that precious time to write to Kevin, not Kordite. My chief aim was to open a literary door, not to malign anyone's -- your -- character. In your letter, you began no less than eight paragraphs with the question, "How dare you. . . ?" and then ended with a challenge. Exactly why?
First and last, I do not own an "elitist pedestal," nor do I expect to own one in the future. Second, (in my opinion) if a writer allows a piece of writing to be printed for public consumption, he/she must (by the very nature of written communication) be willing to receive comments (favorable, unfavorable, or indifferent) from his/her readers. Third, every artist (every artist I've ever known) longs to share his/her creation with other people, and it hurts if someone pans the creation, especially if no thought -- or very little thought -- is put forth to explain where the negative opinion sprang from, or to offer an alternative. I tried very hard to do both.
As a reader, I am entitled to an opinion. Reiterating, "To me, the best sf upholds the best expressions of our human nature (without resorting to preaching) and deplores those activities which bring about unwarranted death, destruction, and all the ugliness that is also part of our human nature, even though the protagonist may utilize some of that ugliness to save the day." Your opinion of what constitutes the best sf obviously differs from mine. Okay, I can accept that. I do not have to like your brand of sf, but then, you have strongly declared you are not concerned whether I do or not. Fine. I can accept that.
As a writer of sf, I can study a storyline or a basic idea,
and extrapolate alternate outcomes. That is what sf is all
about -- alternatives. When I questioned the
appropriateness of your article, I took a lot of time to
explain myself. I told you something about who I am,
something about what I think of science fiction, something
about what kinds of sf I enjoy most, and something about how
I would have responded (as a Klingon warrior) to the
fictional situation presented by "Deeply Wounded." This was
the part that was most fun to me, for extrapolating a
possible storyline in the "Star Trek" venue is something I
do in my sleep. It is a creative ability I have exercised
since the 1966 airing of "Devil in the Dark." I am 47 years
old, and a first generation "Trek" fan. In my interview
with William Shatner ( 1969), many of the ideas
I shared with him at that time showed up in the series of
films we Trek-ers all know and love. Even the film,
"Generations," contained a few things touching upon that
1969 interview.
So, you see that I also have "Star Trek" roots and qualifications, and I am perfectly capable of speaking from the heart on all things "Trek." In my opinion, Kordite's article does not ring true to the Klingon mindset as I understand it to be, as it has been developed by Gene Roddenberry and other writers. That is my opinion. That is why I wrote to you, Kevin. Aside from the fact that the article proposed deliberate wanton murder, Kordite was (IN MY OPINION) not speaking as a Klingon warrior would be speaking, not to mention that a Klingon warrior (IN MY OPINION) would not be writing an advice column to begin with! If you have a different opinion about Klingons and their behavior patterns, fine! I can understand that. However, I reserve the right to uphold "Trek" philosophies as I understand them to be.
Regarding PARSEC, I have wanted to attend PARSEC meetings since I first heard about the group (several years ago), and there may come a time when I am able to take part, but that time has not yet come. I certainly would not come willingly to meet with a group of people who are waiting to verbally pummel me for (privately) expressing an opinion -- an opinion I still feel is valid and well worth an open discussion. Unfortunately, nothing in your letter gives me reason to change my point of view about the offending article. The article remains offensive. Your letter offers counterpoint, rather than answers to my questions, so I must accept your assertions:
My memorandum quickly spurred you to anger.
You consider my comments to be offensive and personal attacks.
Readers have no right to offer comment, since you wrote the article for yourself alone.
Kordite is not human.
A person who has not spent any money on PARSEC, cannot be counted a friend.
You believe my six-year-old son would benefit from reading your article.
Publications from PARSEC may not be "family friendly."
Expressing a literary opinion constitutes censorship.
If I am to take your letter at face value, these assertions are your true feelings, but as I said before, it is hard to see where Kevin ends and Kordite begins. The possibility remains that you were again taking on the Klingon (as you interpret it to be) point of view and were deliberately being blustery to me. Since you sent your letter on Klingon letterhead paper (of your own design?), I will reserve my final judgment on this matter. Again, I remind you, I did not address my memo to Kordite, but to Kevin.
I invite you to clarify, but for now, you have compelled me
to say, "I am heartily sorry you were offended by my memo,
and I apologize to you and to anyone else who may be
offended." You can remove my name from your mailing list,
which you have every right to do; however, I would still
like to receive SIGMA.
Sincerely,
(signed)
It's pretty clear at this point that she doesn't have a clue, so I wrote yet another response.
 |
http://www.tasigh.org/kordite/memo3.html -- Revised: 18 May 2002 Copyright © 1997, 2002 Kevin A. Geiselman |