So much for colleagues, so much for integrity, so much forethics.......

[Sarah Fox]

Dear André,

I've only been here a short while and have enjoyed your learned posts very
much.  I hope you'll consider my advice as a newcomer.

I'm quite accustomed to seeing these sorts of things happen in other
environments.  As someone who has been a political activist, I've seen more
than my fair share of grappling for power and notoriety.  I've seen many
instances of character assasination.  I've seen bizillions of dirty tricks
played, involving lies, deceit, threats of law suits, fraud, email
forgeries, etc., etc...  Unfortunately I've also been the victim of a lot of
these things too -- which is the biggest reason I retired from leadership.
(I have better things to do with my life than to fend off attacks from
people who should be my friends and allies.)

I was particularly surprised to see the same sorts of undercurrents on this
list as well, and it's rather sobering to see how the internal political
squabbles in my past probably appeared to the outside world!  The people on
this list aren't fighting for fundamental survival issues such as
employment, fair access to housing, protection from hate crimes, and other
core necessities.  Yet the professional issues on this list loop every bit
as large.

My advice, as someone who has seen these sorts of exchanges tear people and
alliances apart and undermine entire political movements, is for everyone to
take a deep breath and to try to assume the best, no matter how unlikely it
may appear.  Then seek to repair any damage without pointing fingers in
anger.  Above all, if someone needs to be cautioned about some
transgression, that communication should be private -- not on an email list.
The Internet is a very fertile environment for misunderstandings and hurt
feelings, since it is far too easy to color another person's printed words
with one's own feelings and suspicions.

Personally, I think Susan's advice is quite sound.  If it is not too
difficult to translate the article, that would be an effective way to
curtail the damage.  The person who did the original translation should
learn from this experience that one should always ask permission before
redistributing or translating another person's writings.  It's also good
form to offer the translation for final proofreading/approval before
releasing it.  I have always appreciated people extending these courtesies
to me, with regard to both my professional and political writings.

... my 4 cents (since I've both been there and done that -- and regretted
being on either side -- and learned from it)

Peace,
Sarah

PS Where music is, no harm can be...   I really like that sig line <smile>


----- Original Message -----
From: "antares" <antares@euronet.nl>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 5:34 PM
Subject: So much for colleagues, so much for integrity, so much
forethics.......


List,

Some time ago I wrote an article for the Dutch email forum in my own
language and, as I wrote it in Dutch, it was - clearly - meant for the Dutch
subscribers only.

Unfortunately there was a very sneaky Dutch colleague here who, after
reading my words, found it necessary to attempt to translate my article into
'English' and send it along to a group of people he personally associates
with.
The reason why he did this was because he did not agree with what I had
written and he very clearly wanted to gain prestige and score 'points' from
the folks he sent it to.

Now, the fact that he copied my article and sent it along after he had
translated it is in itself not wrong, although, he should, or he could have
had the guts to inform me of his intentions out of politeness or for ethical
reasons.
This Dutch e-mail forum is open to the public and there is no copy-right on
the letters exposed there so I do not - really - have a right to complain.

What is rather upsetting however is that I, to my astonishment, discovered
that this 'translation' of my words and with - my name -attached to it,  has
come into 'slippery hands' and has now been sent all over the internet.
What is even more upsetting, is to find out that my text has been screwed up
completely : my personal phrasing and way of 'speech' is unrecognizable, my
personal intentions have been altered, whole parts and phrases were left out
and I find that 'my' words sound like those of an idiot with a dictionary.

So, the reason for writing these words is to let you know that if you happen
to have received this translated article of mine, it has nothing to do with
my original text and that I do not take any responsibility.

This story shows that every word we write on the internet can be read or
used by friendly meaning persons, but also misused by malicious creeps, as
happens all the time.
It also shows the possibility that malicious intentions executed via the
internet may surprise the original sender, as both positive and negative
intentions always act like a boomerang.

So much for colleagues, so much for integrity, so much for ethics.......


André Oorebeek,


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