What should we do next?

[Geoff Bannister]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Sheryll Townsend" <s_ings at ...> wrote:
>
> The List Elves look in wonder at the gathering crowd.
> 
> Phlytie Elf: "I see some new faces!"
> Marvin Elf: "And lots of familiar ones, too."
> Corbie Elf: "Are they expecting a party?"
> Zaney Elf: "I think they just want to let us know tbeir ideas."
> Exmoor Elf: "Well, let's pass the nibblies and settle down to hear 
> what they think."
> 
> As you know from our post on the Main list, we're looking for some 
> feedback.What do we do next? Should we start over from the beginning 
> with new chapter discussions? Considering it'll take a long time if 
> we do it every couple weeks, how should we move it along? Instead of 
> one chapter at a time, should we lump two chapters together in a 
> summary, or even a larger number of chapters? Should we post them
> one at a time but each week, instead of every two weeks? Have two or 
> more members posting summaries each week?
> 
> Help yourself to the nibblies and drinks and settle in to tell us 
> what you'd prefer to do.
> 
> The List Elves

Geoff:
<looking thoughtful>
It depends on what you want to achieve in restarting discussions 
from the very beginning. Can we get something constructive out 
of this rather than just re-heating yesterday's leftovers?

I suppose for many of us, the earliest chapter discussions are 
ancient history. For example, I joined the Main group in July 2003 
just about the time OOTP came out and so discussion on the first 
four books were well interred in the archives by then.

If, on the other hand, discussion would look at how our perception 
of the early books has changed in the light of later revelation; how 
we may have been led up blind alleys either inadvertently or
deliberately (he says thinking of Mark Evans as an example!); how 
our interpretation of a character's actions might have changed as 
more is revealed, then yes, it could well be a worthwhile exercise. 

Once more unto the breach, dear friends?