From [Marc Abrams (2004.11.29.1023)
It has all come together today and I finally understand what has been going on.
I might be slow but I’m not stupid
I remember a while ago in discussing some disagreements I had with Bill about the hierarchy and Bill responded to the effect, and I’m paraphrasing here; " What the hell do you think PCT is if not the hierarchy?" I then went about and explained that I thought the central idea was the control of the input not the output, and that the structure was of secondary importance.
He did not respond and that was the beginning of the end of our relationship. I was dumbfounded, and today I no longer am.
Bill recommended one of Pribram’s books and said it was a major influence on his work. Now I think I know why. Karl Pribram was fully aware that homeostatic systems controlled or regulated their stimuli, or input. Bill Powers did not come up with that concept. What Bill came up with is the hierarchy. He put number of ideas together, like Richardson talked about to make ‘PCT.’ Bill is not responsible for any one aspect of the model.
What is unique to PCT is the organization and structure of the hierarchy and the construction and maintenance of both perceptions and reference levels? I happen to disagree with him on both counts.
In my ignorance I have been essentially trashing what Bill viewed as his life’s work and from my current position I can’t say I blame him. For that I apologize. If I knew I was ‘competing’ with his ideas I would have shut up a long time ago.
I got the answer to my question. I wish Bill would have given it to me a long time ago, but I guess he tried when he tried to belittle my efforts and then refused to talk with me. I’m not big on nuance. A very simple private note would have sufficed.
I couldn’t understand why Bill was willing to put up with the nonsense he was getting from both Williams and Gregory, yet stayed firm against me.
I know why now
I did not, nor do I, wish Bill any harm. I will keep my thoughts to myself in the future on CSGnet.
Silence is deadly Bill.
Marc