I've seen people post treatises in (more or less) serial format, that is, divvy the work up into a series of connected articles. Any chance of doing so with your piece?

It would be tough, because he's said it's like a sandwich of two little sections around a big proof about how industry could be more efficient that takes up most of the length. Have you found any beta readers yet, Tyop Boy?

Tyop Boy?

There's something kinda endearing about a typo in Typo, ya know?

In other news, I should still be working. But really? I'm wasting time until Frontier House starts. I'm hoping for some actual blood shed this episode. Let's see what the Hatfields and the McCoys were really about people....

Julie, when you 'come out' you really 'come out' huh? Don't you think it's time to change your tag? (BTW tongue is firmly planted in cheek!!)

Should I mention exam stuff or not, are you on schedule?

Nou, I'm reading Gar's article but considering I'm a 'beta-ing newbie' with a few things happening at the moment, I'm sure the more the merrier if you want to help too.

(sorry I'm taking so long Gar)

Hey Julie, in all seriousness your thoughts this week have been well worth reading. Thanks.

and in fact I read some of your words as inferring that some of the discussions of late maybe played a small part in drawing you back in to posting which if true has helped me not feel too responsible for some of the stuff that has been happening (take a breath sorry for the run-on) and if I've read too much into your early posts it doesn't really matter and thanks for the nice words in B*reau the other day Nou :)

moonlit - I don't know about Julie, but I have huge heartin' for those who put the stuff they're really trying to say in small print, particularly at the bottom of their posts. Some people read those things as lawyerly disclaimers. Not me. Nope. I read them as the things whispered into a friend's ear, after the more public conversation. It just charms me.

Tyop Boy?

There's something kinda endearing about a typo in Typo, ya know?

Plus this one so sweetly references the whole inisipipalicious vibe.

Don't you think it's time to change your tag?

Whatdyahave in mind?

Blow hard? :)

As for everything else, it's either guilty as charged. Or possibly, thankyou.

I'd whisper stuff, but the wee font tag isn't my friend. Inisipipish bugger that it is.

psssst Cindy,

What did you think of the Millman article linked in NAFDA?

and would I be overly or unfairly extrapolating from the thoughts behind your wonderful 'soul' posts that the 'free will' issues that are being discussed elsewhere must be ringing some rather large Pythonesque church bells in the Cindy brain (running on again take a breath) and I know I shouldn't discuss it in here so I'll stop now as this was really just an excuse to whisper sweet somethings in Cindy's ear

Eta: Julie, maybe 'breath of ...' and I mean as in FRESH air not HOT air. (hee, hee)

Hi Nou - yeah I have about six betas at the moment. And while they are looking I'm editing. Nothing that requires me to send a new version to the betas - I've improved the sourcing in the biomass section and stuff of that sort. I have chopped the introduction significantly - made it less awkward and shorter, changed some language I think was a bit offputting.

And I'm now thinking that when done, there may be a way to split it. The large section might be divided into two sections - one on efficiency, one on renewable sources. There are magazines out there who publish articles up to 8,000 words - including some dealing with left economics. And if I can deflate the article enough - cut it from 20,000 to 12,000 words - then I could submit it as a three parter to almost any appropriate publication. (Most publications will accept up t0 4,000 words.)

I keep thinking you could submit it to the 1970s New Yorker. And that really doesn't help, does it?

What did you think of the Millman article linked in NAFDA?

I'll answer, moonlit, because, yeah, I wouldn't want to finish these exam papers and go out into the daylight or anything :)

and because the small font confuses me, but I think it's probably best not to mention that

I ranted about it at another place. erm.. the article that is, not the small font :)

Joyce Millman needs to stop writing for children!!!

Or, like the bam says, how she became the public advocate for Buffy astounds me! (I think he may have just grrrrrrrr'd)

Specifically (and point by excruciating point!)

"On "Buffy," women rule the world and men are largely watchers"

Or there's the whole school of Slayer as tool, & Get it done spoiler [ "tie her up, rape some power into her and set her on the demons" as a method of empowerment ] thoughts

"I'd feel cheated if the Xan Man wasn't the unsung hero, again, in the finale."

She calls him the (shudder) Xan Man. That's seven flavours of wrong.

"Like its strength, the gang's weakness is greater than the sum of its parts."

Apparently she thinks she's recapping Season Four.

"But now I see that the show is not about our heroine growing up as much as it's about the other characters' maturing enough to let her go."

This is why there should be smilies on the board. Insert the vomit one t here

"The logical end to the saga is for Buffy to get back to Paradise."

Isn't that what we all hope the end to be? And how, exactly, is something predicated on our sense of morality and spirituality, a "logical" solution to anything?

Re: Spike - "But Buffy has yet to tell him she loves him."

Bring on the vomit smilie some more. And then explain to me how a) Spike's worth that and b) that's any consolation to him. That's he's worthy of love? Perhaps. But that he gets it? um.. No! (And cue Minnie Driver "you don't get to have me" voice)

"I want to see Buffy give Spike the moment of happiness he's earned."

She's not talking at the end of a wooden stake is she? Dammit.

And this?

I'm too traumatised to even discuss this..

"I want Buffy to die and become an immortal god(dess) who rights the balance of good and evil in the universe. I want Spike to die and be reborn as a human (and therefore available for a possible spinoff)."

Suffice to say, I don't think so, Joyce.

let's take this HTML laden puppy out for a spin

I particularly liked the Buffy dying and becoming a goddess. It's not really what the show was about is it? Or in other words it's the exact opposite of what the show was all about.