Re: Pondering
Tim O'Connor (oconnort@nyu.edu)
Thu, 17 Sep 1998 10:48:12 -0400
On Thu, Sep 17, 1998 at 09:46:27AM -0400, Lomanno wrote:
> Wow! I just read the New York Times articles on JD, and I must say they
> hit me kind of hard. I don't think I've ever read anything that directly
> quotes Salinger, and in his few well-chosen comments he comes across as
> a kind, eloquent, and intelligent man.
The interview he gave in 1974 was a very fine interview; I have always
thought it conveyed his sense of HURT and betrayal at having his old
work commandeered by an anonymous publisher. It gave what seemed to
me a genuine face to the man.
> For a brief moment while reading the articles, I wondered whether I
> should quit the list and leave him alone. In fact, I've often wondered
> what he would think if he read our list: would he hate it like he hated
> the Holden Web Site? Or would he not mind so much, since we only
> speculate on his stories and don't quote from them or intrude on his
> personal life.
I haven't ever spoken about the Holden Server (in a public forum).
While, on one hand, I completely respect and agree with Salinger's
wishes to have his WORDS withdrawn from it (he is not the first person
in publishing to have a visceral reaction to the uncontrollability of
online access, a reaction to how that new medium runs counter to
traditional means of producing printed matter, and serving out chunks of
the text might easily be deemed as falling outside the bounds of fair
use), I was deeply disappointed that Salinger focused on the infringing
material and missed the brilliance of the rest of the site.
I recently began teaching a class in "Information Networks and
Networking," and spent about 15 minutes trying to recreate in words what
the Holden Server did so well in real life. The two coups de grace, in
my eyes, were how Luke insinuated elements of the book as banner ads
(what an elegant pairing of the medium and the content!), and produced
the phony "Cliff's Notes" summary. I can't help wondering how many
students handed in reports that described Holden as the most popular
kid in school, based on what Luke wrote. Students in the class seemed
to appreciate the site by my proxy description.
It is a shame that some compromise could not be reached, in which the
banner ads and the "Cliff's Notes" summary could remain (I don't see
how either could possibly be deemed as infringing on Salinger's
copyright), while the chunks of "Catcher" could be removed.
> Then I wondered how he would feel about a Salinger course
> in college? I would hate to devote my career to a writer who would
> rather be boiled in oil than to be talked about in a public forum. I
> should think he'd be alright with it as long as his personal life never
> got involved, but who knows?
Indeed -- in fact, it will be interesting to hear Will and his students
summarize their experiences after that class has ended. (Hint, hint.)
--tim o'connor