[MD] Who are the MOQ's best friends?

[Dan Glover]

Hello everyone

On Sat, Jul 23, 2011 at 6:33 PM, david buchanan <dmbuchanan at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dan said to dmb:
> Let me ask you: do you think Bodvar and Platt were laughing when they read what RMP wrote? Is it a knee-slapper for you when RMP sends a little praise your way?
>
>
> dmb says:
>
> I am shocked (SHOCKED!) to learn that gambling goes on in this casino.
>
> More seriously, I just think criticism is an unavoidable part of exchanging views. It's supposed to hurt a little bit, unless you're just stroking yourself. Taking criticism personally is unrealistic and more than a little bit childish. What's the proper response to criticism? Do you defend your claims? Or is it more fruitful to make a big fuss about the critic's motives and table manners? If we don't worry so much about pride and such, criticism can make you stronger or sharper or whatever. Criticisms are supposed to answered, not wept over or turned into a sore spot. Anything other than an actual answer is worthless, if you ask me.

Hi Dave

I'd add constructive criticisms are supposed to be answered. How does
one go about answering: You're an idiot, other than with more of the
same? or to simply ignore it. Perhaps we need to back up and ask: what
is a proper criticism? That is what I was pointing out to Steve when
he first posted RMP's annotation 126 to Bodvar and Platt. But it went
right over Steve's head. And again, it isn't about peace, love, and
understanding, or buttering people up. Maybe, it just boils down to
being polite in our criticisms. And if we can't be polite, maybe it is
better not to write at all? To just ignore that person? And hope
they'll go away? That's what I kept hoping would happen with Bodvar
but someone always had to egg him on. Every frigging time. So who is
the real culprit?

>dmb:
> It is an honor to be corrected by Pirsig and he was very gracious about it too. But what concerns me far more than whether or not that correction hurt their pride or bruised their feelings. Isn't  that just stuff that grown-ups have to deal with? What concerns me is both of them totally ignored the actual content of Pirsig's correct and they have both tenaciously held onto that defiance to this day.

Dan:

Yes, I know. Actually there are a number of contributors here who've
done the very same thing. I chalk it up to the fallibility of human
nature. Many, if not most, people are so set in their ways and belief
systems that they will never, ever change or evolve into a better and
more knowledgeable person. We can condemn them or just take it as a
matter of course and go on with our own pursuits.

dmb:
 I still get hostile posts from Bodvar telling me that Pirsig and I do
not "get" the MOQ. Sorry, but I am not going to pretend like that's
okay. There is something very wrong with that kind of tenacity of
belief. That whole attitude defies intellectual values in a very big
way and I think it's more than worthy of condemnation.

Dan:
I tell you, Bodvar really got me going a few times too. And I am not
pretending it is okay. But that is Bodvar and nothing is going to
change his outlook. That much is certain. Even Robert Pirsig himself
telling Bodvar he is wrong did no good. So what chance do we have?
None. And yes, I still get posts from him too only he seems to view me
as your disciple, as if I don't know enough to formulate my own
opinions and have to follow someone else.

Yet, as pissed as I get at him, Bodvar is the one who put me into
touch with Robert Pirsig when Mr. Pirsig wrote him concerning LILA'S
CHILD, way back when it was just a compilation of posts on my website
that no one ever heard of. And Bodvar (at my insistence) is the one
who wrote to Mr Pirsig asking if he would be interested in sharing the
annotations that he mentioned to Bodvar in his first letter. And
Bodvar was one of the few people who actually shared a discussion with
me when I first joined the old Lila Squad all those years ago. So my
feelings towards the man are muddled at best. I love him but at the
same time I want to disown him.

Anyway, thanks for reading,

Dan