Lexicon Steve Case: Part IV, Continued discussion here |
 Feb 7 2008, 03:34 PM
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#141
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Doctor Filibuster's Junior Assistant  Posts: 1,963 Joined: 8:57am March 12, 2005 Location: at Home or somewhere in between   |
Call me dense, but until SVA confirms for himself that the email came from him, I still reserve a thread of doubt, although it is very, very thin. Personal email accounts can be hacked, so I'm not calling David Langford a liar or anything of the sort, but I just can't imagine that SVA (or anyone else in such a high profile case) would present such a damaging self-representation of themselves and authorize it for public distribution, but I could be wrong.
This post has been edited by momwitch: Feb 7 2008, 03:37 PM -------------------- Avatar made with Poser 6 and Photoshop Elements
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Feb 7 2008, 03:43 PM
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#142
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Personal Secretary to The Minister of Magic  Posts: 9,192 Joined: 4:57am January 28, 2005 Location: near Muggleswick, UK |
QUOTE(momwitch @ Feb 7 2008, 08:34 PM)  Call me dense, but until SVA confirms for himself that the email came from him, I still reserve a thread of doubt, although it is very, very thin. Personal email accounts can be hacked, so I'm not calling David Langford a liar or anything of the sort, but I just can't imagine that SVA (or anyone else in such a high profile case) would present such a damaging self-representation of themselves and authorize it for public distribution, but I could be wrong. Or maybe David Langford knows someone else called Steve and has the email addresses confused. I agree we should retain a bit of skepticism because we don't really know much about David Langford and whether he is totally honest, or has his own agenda.
--------------------  W.L.Y.J. We love you Jo |
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Feb 7 2008, 03:49 PM
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#143
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Missus Lupin and Mistress Crouch Posts: 5,269 Joined: 4:57am January 28, 2005  |
QUOTE(roonwit @ Feb 7 2008, 09:43 PM) QUOTE(momwitch @ Feb 7 2008, 08:34 PM) Call me dense, but until SVA confirms for himself that the email came from him, I still reserve a thread of doubt, although it is very, very thin. Personal email accounts can be hacked, so I'm not calling David Langford a liar or anything of the sort, but I just can't imagine that SVA (or anyone else in such a high profile case) would present such a damaging self-representation of themselves and authorize it for public distribution, but I could be wrong. Or maybe David Langford knows someone else called Steve and has the email addresses confused. I agree we should retain a bit of skepticism because we don't really know much about David Langford and whether he is totally honest, or has his own agenda.I agree, roonwit. The internet affords the opportunity for this kind of thing to happen. If this is true, it is a very sad development, but until I see SVA confirm this on the Lexicon website or in court papers then I will remain a tad sceptical. |
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Feb 7 2008, 03:52 PM
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#144
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MelvinTLC  Posts: 2,691 Joined: 1:57pm January 4, 2005 Location: My happy place |
As asked, I contacted and heard from David Langford as well. The email is accurate and came from his personal email address. The only "significant change," he said, besides routine formatting (caps, ital, etc.) was modifying 'The full text of the Lexicon book...' to 'A large portion of the Lexicon book text...' Apparently it emerged in the correspondence that "full text" wasn't quite accurate, and Steve suggested he edit the post say that a that large portion was available as pat of the filings from WB, which he did.
So, the letter was approved/vetted by Steve after it was published on the site, as well. Unless, of course, Langford is lying, which I doubt; he's not seriously involved in HP fandom and probably has very little care to, and he's written an HP book which could lead his allegiances either way. His site's agenda is to address these issues and he did detail the only significant change (ie, he says there isn't more that he simply didn't post.) He's now made one pro-JKR post, and one post presenting the other side of the discussion, so it's really an even split on his "agenda." -------------------- "I am not big enough to love things the way I do!"
~Edna St. Vincent Millay |
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Feb 7 2008, 04:06 PM
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#145
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Cauldron Bottom Measurer Posts: 138 Joined: 1:23pm December 29, 2007 Location: Chicago, IL |
So, I think I finally found my opinion about SVA's statement. After the shock wore off (and I got some sleep).
Now, I admit I have an obsessive personality at times when it comes to my fandoms. Harry Potter, RPG Gaming, Firefly, Chicago Baseball and Football, I'm a walking example of the passionate fan, I want to know everything about anything when it comes to the things I love. But that....that statement is just....so beyond...everything. It sounds like someone who really needs help for delusions of grandure. I just can't fanthom how SVA got this way, or (heaven forbid) was he always this way and we just didn't know? While I can comprehend what is being said I just can't fanthom the (I'm not sure what to call it) reality of where it's coming from. 
-------------------- Avatar made by ickle_snuffles23...... who is made of awsome :-)
Keeper of the Keys to the Cage at Borders Books, Orland Park |
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Feb 7 2008, 04:20 PM
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#146
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Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 62 Joined: 10:54pm December 29, 2006 Location: Plano Hogwarts |
Wow.
I repeat....why hasn't he said anything to the fandom himself before? Why through David, through a personal email? I'm also just curious to know why he chose this moment to reveal his true stance about this whole case. Did he really think that his comments would give him more sympathy and support? The biggest revelation recently is that RDR has demanded very private and very detailed Potter notes from JKR. And, based on some discussions I've read and the Leaky update, I believe Steve would be the one to review those notes for the case. Did he approve those comments so that he may get some odd fan's support, so that he may actually get this rare opportunity to read those notes? I don't understand his intention anymore. And now, his image in fandom is all but ruined. |
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Feb 7 2008, 04:25 PM
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#147
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Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song Posts: 6,605 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag |
Thanks, Melissa, for checking with David Langford.
If there's one bright spot to the story today, it's that I've discovered Langford's SF/fan newsletter Ansible. I had never heard about it before today and it's really quite good. I've read the last half dozen issues and found something surprising, amusing or insightful in each one. 
-------------------- Come the words that bubble
Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!" |
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Feb 7 2008, 04:36 PM
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#148
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Personal Secretary to The Minister of Magic Posts: 9,192 Joined: 4:57am January 28, 2005 Location: near Muggleswick, UK |
QUOTE(MelissaTLC @ Feb 7 2008, 08:52 PM) So, the letter was approved/vetted by Steve after it was published on the site, as well. Unless, of course, Langford is lying, which I doubt; he's not seriously involved in HP fandom and probably has very little care to, and he's written an HP book which could lead his allegiances either way. His site's agenda is to address these issues and he did detail the only significant change (ie, he says there isn't more that he simply didn't post.) He's now made one pro-JKR post, and one post presenting the other side of the discussion, so it's really an even split on his "agenda." I agree with this assessment that it seems increasingly likely that Langford is completely fair and honest, and I wasn't meaning to imply otherwise, but the information is still only second hand, so it is a fair question to ask how reliable the source is, particularly as it seems Steve has gone further in what he says than he has elsewhere.QUOTE(abstracted @ Feb 7 2008, 08:30 PM) And, since I believe this topic is also about the case's effect upon fandom...do you think Steve will still deliver a successful presentation at Portus? I am starting to wonder if anyone will turn up since Steve seems to be losing a lot of friends in fandom and the the legal case still has a long way to run.
Doubtful, really. -------------------- W.L.Y.J. We love you Jo |
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Feb 7 2008, 04:38 PM
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#149
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MelvinTLC Posts: 2,691 Joined: 1:57pm January 4, 2005 Location: My happy place |
Roonwit, you're absolutely right that it's a fair question. I hope you don't think I was saying you weren't right to question it, only attempting to answer the question. Questioning the source and agendas of those who post emails and such online is a very good practice, and one rarely followed.
-------------------- "I am not big enough to love things the way I do!"
~Edna St. Vincent Millay |
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Feb 7 2008, 04:54 PM
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#150
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Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song Posts: 6,605 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag |
Well, I guess tomorrow is still the day for RDR's response. Unless it's been delayed again.
And I found a possible explanation for SVA's behaviour via an article linked through Dave Langford's Ansible. Clive James wrote a humorous piece for the BBC about a condition called "invidia rolinosis potteritis" or JK Rowling Envy. You can read the whole article here. (A word of caution: It is tongue-in-cheek.)
-------------------- Come the words that bubble
Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!" |
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