[From Bill Powers (940416.1330 MDT)]
In a direct post, Rick said I could send this to the net:
Rick is not mad or feeling bad. He just wants to assure anyone
who might want to ask questions or post ideas that he will NOT
say anything AT ALL. Rick recognizes the very really possibility
that he is alienating people who might be interested in learning
PCT. Rick is a nice guy but a lousy teacher [I always thought
that might be true]. Rick will not post at all for 2 months --
guaranteed. Again, he is only doing this for the sake of those
who might be afraid to post. Also, he said to rest assured that,
when he returns to the net, he will NOT comment on anything that
was posted during the time that he was off the net. When he does
return to the net (after all, he is human) he will post a warning
so that all who might be offended can either ask him to remain
off until some particularly important thread is completed or
until they can get said what they want to get said without fear.
OK, an autonomous system has spoken, folks. The control system is
not pushing back. So everyone who has felt "incinerated" (personal
communication, anonymous correspondent) now has a chance to get back
into the act, register objections, and try to work out whatever is
the problem. We can hope that this plug suddenly inserted into
Rick's output will build up so much pressure that he will have to
finish the book he's trying to write.
Best to all,
Bill P.