<div dir="ltr">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.<div>
<br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Regards,</div><div><br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><div><div dir="ltr">Michael Gogins<br>Irreducible Productions</div><div dir="ltr">150 West 95th Street</div><div dir="ltr">New York NY 10025<br><a href="http://michaelgogins.tumblr.com" target="_blank">http://michaelgogins.tumblr.com</a><br>
Michael dot Gogins at gmail dot com</div></div>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 9:06 AM, Jeffrey Perry <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jperry@lsu.edu" target="_blank">jperry@lsu.edu</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal">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.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
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<div>Jeff Perry</div>
<div>Professor of Music Theory</div>
<div>277 Music and Dramatic Arts</div>
<div>School of Music, College of Music & Dramatic Arts</div>
<div>Louisiana State University</div>
<div><a href="mailto:jperry@lsu.edu" target="_blank">jperry@lsu.edu</a> / <a href="tel:%28225%29%20578-3556" value="+12255783556" target="_blank">(225) 578-3556</a> (voice) / <a href="tel:%28225%29%20578-2562" value="+12255782562" target="_blank">(225) 578-2562</a> (fax)</div>
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