attribution and tone

[Guest guest]

First, I completely agree with Bob Flaws about proper attribution. Bob

has written more than just about anyone else in the field and his ideas

are frequently mentioned without attribution in print and in classes.

Heiner Fruehauf was a personal teacher of mine and his ideas on gu worms

are not available anywhere else in English.

 

As for the allegations of rudeness or condescending tone, I find such

allegations to be of much more concern than the well reasoned

questioning of statements they refer to. On this list, we are free to

question statements with whatever force we choose. However, we agree

not to make attacks on personal character based upon assumptions about

tone that are somehow gleaned through the imperfect medium of email.

Tone is often read into words that is not there. If you have a problem

with someone's supposed tone, feel free to take it up offline, not

here. BTW, this is not a discussion topic. If anyone has a problem

with my tone here, also take it up offline.

 

I personally disagree with Bob flaws that only those who read chinese

are qualified to teach. However, I do believe that only those who study

chinese culture and history and use rigorously translated material as

their basis for understanding should be teaching at the master's level.

Relying on personal conjecture and material from poorly translated

sources does this field a grave disservice. there is a middle ground of

quality teaching that involves teaching skills mixed with good sourcing

of knowledge. I know many chinese speakers who are lousy teachers. I

also know many great teachers who misinform their students because of

their lack of knowledge and their errors are compounded by their

charisma and confidence in the classroom. I think there are very few

great teachers who also know chinese, certainly not enough to fill the

teaching posts at american TCM schools. We need to cultivate those in

the middle realm of knowledge so that the posts do not end up being

filled with those at the lower end only. Because those of us in the

middle (amongst them myself) would rather give up our posts than do a

disservice to the field.

 

--

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine

 

[Guest guest]

tone that are somehow gleaned through the imperfect medium of email.Tone is often read into words that is not there.

>>>>>Very true

Alon