Posted by Nick on June 30, 1999 at 04:30:45:
In Reply to: Re: Unspiek, Baron Boddissey - any thoughts? posted by Dan Gunter on June 27, 1999 at 07:59:33:
Boddissey vs the critics
Is Vance a neutral observer? It is possible, it may be that he wants us to accept the critics' criticisms, though he does not actually tell us what they are. In either case, i thought this might be iluminating, it is Jack Vance giving an interview to Charles Platt in 1983
on Critics:
"Critics are intellectuals. It's their role. They work with ideas, words, thoughts. Their tool is a pencil or a typewriter. I won't go into a long discussion on esthetics, but a critic - I won't say he's necessarily a deviant, or a criminal, or a disgusting person; he can be very nice, pet his cat, treat his wife nicely. Who knows? But still, to admit that's what you do for a living! It's like saying 'I give sex shows down at the Burlesque for a living.' Something you'd have to blush to admit.
Ok, it doesn't prove anything, but I think it is instructive.