Posted by Eric Abraham on November 17, 2006 at 15:57:19 from 63.245.133.204 user EricAbraham.
In Reply to: Re: Listening (was lurking) posted by PeterH on November 17, 2006 at 13:44:27:
All this about "Lurking" is very interesting. If I may, I will tell you a little story. Just before the time I read Mr. Ransome's stories, I attended a country school where about two or three of us students would have on going discussions in class about various subjects with the teacher being the moderator.
When I transferred to a school in Enid, Oklahoma, I was SEVERELY reprimanded for speaking out and trying to institute a classroom discussion in the same manner. Since then I usually just listened and absorbed. Also at about that time someone, an adult, told me that if I attended school (or anything else) and just only paid attention, I could pass any course offered. This is how I pursued my entire school career. OK, I admit, I was somewhat lazy then!
Now, in my dotage, I feel that if someone dissagrees with me, at least I have had my say, and they have had theirs - I still pay attentiion. We can't all agree on everything - that is what makes the world what it is. Even --- -------, who is probably still checking all this out, is probably now a "lurker", but that is not my responsibility.
Part of the "problem" is that a lot of us have a hard time taking any criticism. It is easy to give, but harder to take. Criticism is simply one person's opinion. That is all. And to take it, use it and go on, I think, can be an admirable trait. I have learned to listen to criticism, smile, accept it and merrily go on and usually do what I was going to do anyway. If I had followed to the letter all the "advice" and criticism I have been given, I would most likely be institutionalized by now! (Remember the story about the man and boy taking the donkey to market.)
I think I have learned and grown in knowledge and in being able to put in my two cents worth since I have been associated with TARBOARD.
What makes our stories so great is that the characters do exactly that. When Captain Flint realized his mistake in Swallows and Amazons, he apologized and accepted the Swallows into his inner cirle of friends. Premises change.
The manifestation of, as Ed says, the Greatness of All Things Ransome!
Eric Abraham - In close proximity to the Garden of Eden!