[Smt-talk] Decisions

[Michael Gogins]

As a composer and an author of algorithmic music composition software that
makes some use of mathematical music theory, I urge patience with respect
to this gender language conversation. I find the SMT list quite useful and,
at times, quite entertaining. I would hate to see the list shrink.

It is not necessary to answer all questions about purpose and provenance in
advance with respect to a public (or is it semi-public?) forum such as
this. Attempting to do so may in fact prove counter-productive.

Regards,

Michael Gogins
Irreducible Productions
150 West 95th Street
New York NY 10025
http://michaelgogins.tumblr.com
Michael dot Gogins at gmail dot com


On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 9:06 AM, Jeffrey Perry <jperry at lsu.edu> wrote:

>  It’s interesting to recall that the current thread began with a posting
> telling us that after a conference presentation that most of us had not
> heard, a questioner used a term that most of us had never heard of. We were
> then enjoined under no circumstances to use this term.
>
>
>
> Predictably, a lengthy series of trolls and counter-trolls ensued. Lost in
> the shuffle were several posts about the actual chord progression that was
> ostensibly referenced in the original posting. Also lost were several
> reminders that SMT has non-sexist language guidelines in placethat, in any
> event, would prevent such sexist provocations as the original bit of
> terminology from making it into a peer-reviewed venue.
>
>
>
> As I noticed back in the early ‘90s, bad internet traffic tends to drive
> out good internet traffic; eventually, almost every online discussion venue
> becomes unusable, if it lasts long enough. We’ve reached that point with
> this list, friends. I’m unsubscribing and I urge you to do so as well. The
> SMT Publications Committee will have to tackle this in Milwaukee.
>
>
>
> Does smt-talk exist to enhance conversation about published work? Does it
> take the place of published work? Is it a forum for discussion of life as a
> music theorist? Is it intended as a bridge between card-carrying music
> theorists and others with an interest in the field? These questions were
> never answered, and for a long time this was OK as long as the list
> conveyed more information and good, clean fun than noise, ill will and
> vitriol. Thathasn’t been the case for quite some time.
>
>
>
> To allow this forum (smt-talk) to continue, spreading heat without light
> and without a clear mission, would be criminal. Its multiple conflicting
> purposes are now fulfilled in any of a number of different ways: social
> media sites dedicated to music theory (as any given person understands the
> term) are not hard to find.
>
>
>
> I won’t say “See you later,” as I communicate with many of you in other
> places. But please consider this a plea for some serious decision-making by
> SMT. It’s way past time.
>
>
>
>  Jeff Perry
> Professor of Music Theory
> 277 Music and Dramatic Arts
> School of Music, College of Music & Dramatic Arts
> Louisiana State University
> jperry at lsu.edu / (225) 578-3556 (voice) / (225) 578-2562 (fax)
>
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>
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>
>
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