Dear pianotech colleagues, I would like "speak" about the following : As far as my shallow brain capacity allows me, I understand that there are certain rules in regard to this pianotech list. These rules are there for (to me) obvious reasons, it is necessary to, as a group, behave in a certain way so that members of that group will be able to communicate with each other in such a way that nobody 's feelings and principles will get hurt or violated. It is just like living in a so called "free" society, except, that in any free society, all members must behave conform the rules, or laws, made by all in a Democratic way. Freedom of speech is an example of a healthy society (this is my personal opinion, I was brought up in a Democracy). For instance, in London, there is a place which the locals call the "speakers corner". Anybody there has the right to express his views and opinions, and many do so when they feel that urge and also In my country, everybody can speak out his or her opinion at any public place, as long as he/she doesn't bother other members of the society by for instance shouting through the night so that others can't sleep. Another example : sometimes I, or others, forget that there are subscribers to the pianotech list who do not like the use of "certain" words readable for all in this public piano forum. That is sometimes unavoidable, we are all different and come from different "cultures". But, whether they like it or not, the offenders will most certainly be warned by those who felt abused by the language used. It is an automatism and usually this works perfectly in a democratic and natural situation. Now, if I strongly wanted to continually use abusive language anyway, than I surely would be asked by many to get off this list and start my own forum. See... very humanly natural, and thus very democratic. However, if I chose to stay and continue to use foresaid language, no matter the serious objections of the majority, I than would become a blemish in the "group", a dictator, somebody who dictates his/her will to others. Any normally "intelligent" person will have had history class during the educational process at school. The history lessons can be fun and interesting, amongst others because they show us clearly that throughout the history of mankind there have been numerous dictators, who at a given moment took power and from then on dictated their laws and rules to others....... with less power. It is even more fun to discover that in >> all << cases, those dictators always, after a shorter or a longer period of time, lost their power because the majority in the (sometimes bitter) end always wins. Generally speaking, dictators are a bad example of humankind (or kind humans)...they always cause grieve and suffering and they mostly always are more or less blind to their psychotic behaviour. This is a simple, but practical explaination of how people "can behave" and "can not" behave (at least that is how I see it, being a simpleton despite my history class). Now... The main point behind my rumblings : if any pianotech subscriber wishes to express an opinion about a piano, than it would seem to me that this is here, on this respected international piano forum, a perfect example of freedom of speech. If no profane language has been used, and no persons have been attacked openly and/or in a nasty way, than what objections could we have against the discussion about whatever concerns pianos? I feel that we should be free to express our thoughts about for instance the quality of any given instrument. It should not matter whether my opinion is negative or positive, this is something we can all discuss, and that is one of the purposes of this list...to discuss and thereby learn from many others, what they feel and think about the subjects of our mutual profession... isn't that interesting, entertaining, and wonderful free education too? If I really don't like a certain piano, should I be afraid to use its name because somebody on the list will get angry for personal or whatever reasons? When I venture my professional thoughts and I "obey" the rules of this forum, should I only write about piano parts, but never openly speak about the instrument to which they belong? never mention any name? If I don't like a badly fabricated and cheap piano, and I openly give my opinion about it, should I subsequently put on my "flamesuit" or even unsubscribe and change my email address because somebody dictates that we should only say positive words about pianos? Very early in life, and especially during history class, I must have gotten a "dis"taste of dictators. Friendly greetings to all non-dictators Antares
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