John J. Hlavaty ([email protected])
Thu, 12 Nov 1998 18:29:34 -0500
This unnecessary cruelty and need to flame an unimportant
issue are part of the reasons I departed WIRE. Discussing a real
issue - even if the discussion becomes quite heated - is
fine. But thoughtlessly disparaging others is not for me.
None of what you wrote pertains to U2 in any fashion.
You wrote purely to debase me, something that could
have been done via private e-mail. If your post, J, were
an isolated incident, then I wouldn't care. However, I saw
this happening all too often for my comfort. I felt I
needed a break.
I am responding to your note to partially clarify why
I left WIRE. I will not discuss any
other reasons. I am returning because people DO
like chart information. Deseree and Matt, as well
as others, have provided this information in recent weeks.
I have accumulated it and presented a summary. For
this, you flamed me. Sheer brilliance. Nonetheless,
other people have already positively written me about this,
so I will continue to report my "chart summaries".
If they or I annoy you, then don't read them.
> Oh wow, your crystal ball must be amazing. This correct prediction of
> yours would earn you more fans who previously appreciated your cut and
> paste job of other posts regarding chart info.
Actually, I "cut and paste" as well as provide URL
links (providing that information wasn't already given
by another person) only to back up the numbers. I don't
want anyone to think I'm "making up" the numbers.
I also add my own comments. If you can't tell which
comments are mine and which are someone else's, then you
aren't reading closely enough.
> Now why am I flaming poor old John? Well, I was a reader of his posts
> but then he just left Wire. Now he's back only momentarily maybe
> because he feels his posts are so much missed. I don't quite like his
> attitude of self-importance. I feel that there is a certain air of
> superiority when people brag about their posts being well-appreciated
> and then trying to make the "market value" of their posts higher by
> making it a "limited edition" post (meaning momentary).
Your analogy of my posts to U2's "Best Of" falls flat
on all accounts. Perhaps I was too presumptuous
in providing a reason for my return. For that
I apologized. At the time I wrote my note, I thought
it was necessary. However, other than this reply, all future
WIRE posts will be about the charts. This is not
to increase any "fans" I might have. I don't even
have "fans". I'm a scientist - not a rock star.
> I guess this really isn't much of a flame but more of a reflection on
> my part. There is a sense of bitterness when such a good poster in
> Wire leaves like the way John did.
Most ironic since your post will only contribute to
my future absence.
> Lastly, I just want to clarify that I have nothing against John. We
> have emailed privately many instances and I really respect him. My
> qualms are basically again the style of writing he used in his last
> post.
I find it even more ironic that a person who goes
off on bizarre tangents, such as yourself, questions
my writing style.
However, I'm sure your views represent others, so I
take them for what they are worth. Thank you for
sharing.
As for U2 and the charts, I think that all of us who
present chart and sales information will readily
admit that this is NOT what U2 are about. U2's music
transcends sales. Fortunately, U2 was one of
the few groups who not only made brilliant music,
but music that appealed to the masses. It's a good
thing to hear U2's music played on the radio.
In a day where sloppy rap remakes of former
classics, boppy sugar-coated songs or overblown
performances done by superficial vocalists dominate the
charts, hearing U2 is a refreshing breeze. U2's "Best
Of" reminds us all of what music could and should be.
It's with this feeling that I'm thrilled to see
the general public appreciate U2. I'm glad to see
U2 on top of the charts, for it gives me hope
that people still care about quality music,
not just the "flavor of the month". This is why
I report about U2's chart progress.
But as always, take all information with the
"proverbial grain of salt". Charts can be misleading.
They are presented for informative purposes. Unlike
J insinuated, I often do try to present my interpretation
of the numbers. Does this mean I'm right? No.
Every person can interpret the numbers differently.
I'm just giving one view based on my years of
watching the music charts. That's it and that's all.
Ciao,
John
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Thu Nov 12 1998 - 15:31:54 PST