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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1990-10 > 0654901384


From: Kay Allen AG <>
Subject: Re: Competition in Medieval Genealogy
Date: Tue, 02 Oct 1990 14:03:04 -0700


Ken,

This is one of your more fatuous, self-serving statements. I am not
going to say more because I wish to maintain my image of a sedate, sweet
matron.

DSH, the floor is all yours.

Later: I have cooled down somewhat and am going to make some comments,
even though though the current poster has his own agenda an probably
will not apprehen or appreciate what I am attempting to communicate.

Kay Allen AG

wrote:
>
> In a message dated 9/30/00 5:37:02 PM, writes:
>
> << I somewhat resent genealogy being compared with the above entertainment
> crudola of pop culture. This is an intellectual pursuit, with some redeeming
> social value, for cryin' out loud. >>
>
> Pop culture also has redeeming social value ... if it did not say something
> of value or serve some purpose, it would not sell.

Bull. Bulls--t sells when its called manure. Pop culture is a matter of
catching the public ( indiscriminating herd, that it is)'s fancy for 15
minutes of spotlight. Good genealogists don't necessarily seek the
spotlight, but that is not to say that they haven't earned it by many
years of hard work.


I am not really comparing
> genealogy to popular culture, but commenting on the indisputable fact that
> everyone needs some recognition ... translated popularly as "everyone wants
> to be a star."

When they have earned it in genealogy by paying their dues, then they
will be recognized.
>
> There are many similarities in genealogical circles to the pop culture. When
> the authoritarian powers in any field shrink to just a few people in charge
> on the inside who make the decisions about what is published and who gets
> published, and there are lot of hungry people on the outside wanting a chance
> at recognition, you have a situation similar to the modern state of pop
> culture and genealogical writing.

You are implying that the current editors of the scholarly journals will
not print anything unless the author is part of the incrowd. That is a
bunch of bunkum.

I am not a member of anybody's crowd, but I have been solicited to
finish some articles and submit them. The invitations were not
necessarily issued by FASGs either.

I have worked hard in genealogy for over 30 years. The internet may have
enlarged my exposure, but if I had not prepared myself by much hard work
and study. the internet wouldn't have done squat for me.

Being a "star", which I certainly am not; requires a lot of hard work
and study. I can get by in French, Russian, German, and Latin, and I can
do paleography. That didn't happen overnight. And I am still working to
hone my skills. Anybody who aspires to be a "name" or have a good
reputation in this endeavor needs to have analytical skills, know the
history, including cultural and legal aspects, which affect record
keeping, be proficient in the necessary languages, and paleography,
amongst many other skills. 15 minutes is not enough to be a "somebody."

If there are a lot of persons hungry to publish and be heard, then let
them hone the writing skills, the research skills, whatever it takes to
have articles accepted. It really isn't such a rarified atmosphere. You
don't need to have a brown nose to get published,and that seems to be
what you are implying.


My point is that the Internet has shot big
> holes in the power structure by letting many people--who could never have
> achieved recognition before--hold their hands up and be counted. Our forum is
> filled with people who might never write about new research in a genealogical
> journal, but actually get recognition and satisfaction by answering or asking
> questions and helping others with information. This is not only the case in
> genealogy, but in diverse subjects and pursuits of all kinds.

If they want recognition, let them volunteer at a Family History Center
or local library Genealogy Room. This will hone the skills also.

Yes. people are answering questions here, but are they answering
accurately? Some are and some most definitely are not. Is there
satisfaction in answering if one has answered inaccurately? If someone
is answering just to see the answer printed, without regard to accuracy,
then there is a severe personality problem going on, and why should we
be inflicted?

The Internet can be a help or it can be a hinderance. I know that you
are not overly fond of elitism, but some genealogists are better than
others. Some are better writers than others. Some are better
fiction-writers than others. One should strive for as much excellence as
one is capable of achieving; and realize that it is not going to happen
overnight!

Kay Allen AG
>
> - Ken

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