[MD] Straw Men and the Primacy of Trust

[Matt Kundert]

Hi Michael R. Brown,

> Oprah-style book discussion group
> odor of gunpowder and blood

False dichotomy.

Matt:
Yeah, well, it wasn't really meant as a dichotomy.  I don't think 
those are the only two options.  I think reading the whole Letter 
suggests a subtler analysis, but even then, the Letter was intended 
neither as a complete analysis of the MD nor as an elaboration of 
an ethics of conversation.

I've been unhappy with the composure within the MD for years.  
That's no secret, I don't think.  My own composure has changed, 
accordingly, as my judgment about what my relationship should be 
has changed, and how to express my unhappiness.  The difference 
between the Letter (and the original Straw Men post) and your 
comment that "Like WW1, fighting over the same patch of ground. 
Sounds much like it did the past few times I looked in," is that 
you've just signaled yourself as an outsider.  And outsiders have no 
rights to direct the ship.  It'd be like allowing non-citizens to vote.  
Outsiders are rightfully looked askance at when they make 
comments like this, even if one agrees with them.  This is an 
optional family that people belong to, and you don't talk shit about 
people's family members--unless you are one of them.

Despite the fact that these days I'm at best a third cousin who 
stops by for tea occasionally, I do take an interest in the future of 
the family (for whatever reason).  The way in which we compose 
ourselves to each other matters: that was probably the most 
important underlying thought of the Straw Men post.  Standing there 
on the outside and judging us is of course your prerogative, as it is 
all of ours to leave, and move to the outside and reject the family 
(as many have).  But if you _actually_ take an interest in the future 
trajectory of the MD, standing on the outside is not how to have an 
effect.

Matt