Thanks to Kneasy

[a_reader2003]

Just like to say a big thanks to Barry for his recent post 96852, 
essentially in defence of theorising. I will be quite honest and say 
I have come close to leaving HPfGU for a while (eg until the next 
book) because of the slurry of apple pie that seemed to have been 
tipped over every interesting post recently. 

I suppose its all part of the natural life-cycle of a group like 
this - the main action and the naughty sharp minds pile in until they 
get bored, then its left to others to pick over the bits until 
something new happens.

There also seems to be a great hidden worry that the books might not 
turn out to be a nice series for kids after all. Asserting that 
JKR 'couldn't possibly' do this that or the other seems to me a way 
of steadily marginalising the more inventive thinkers, and asserting 
the views of the more conservative majority. 'Twas ever thus, and I 
suppose that's democracy for you etc, but as one of life's awkward 
squad it has me biting the carpet. 

I have no more knowledge of JKR's eventual intentions than anyone 
else, but I do know I will be profoundly disappointed at a 
simplistic, 'happy ever after' ending. I take courage from her 
evident feisty temper, sarcastic British sense of humour, and the 
complexity of what she has produced so far. 

I'm sticking with HPfGU for now mainly because we have this project 
just off the ground, which I hope will help find and celebrate the 
most interesting thinking from the past. The intention being to 
showcase those posts/threads in a way that will hopefully raise the 
quality and standards of posting on the list in time for the deluge 
that will accompany Book 6.

Over time and the publication of Books 6 and 7, I hope the project 
will continue to build so that we have a ready-made source for 
constructing that book of the alternative Potterverse which Kneasy 
mentioned recently, and which I suggested when I first proposed the 
project to Admin, back in August last year. If we do the work 
carefully, it should be possible to pull out the best, the wackiest, 
the most plain wrong, funniest etc (not mutually exclusive 
categories), which we could pull together into a book published for 
charity, and presented to her with our compliments. 

Sorry..a bit of a rant and a manifesto for why I want the catalogue 
to happen. Couldn't post it on the main list because we are not ready 
to announce the project, and anyway, really couldn't face the 
depressing task of slugging it out with Geoff, Jim, Steve etc. Thank 
goodness Barry is willing to do it.

Carolyn