My ambivalence is massive
I may have indicated to my dr rdrz over the years that there is one topic on which I have more or less for adventitious reasons fallen into being consider A Nexpert and asked to talk about, and I will concede that I know about the topic and have opinions about it based on my hystorikle knowingz and nonetheless I really rather not be doing this. (See also, joint-authored chapter which just went on and on amid mentions of projectile vomiting from sheer boredom at the project.)
It is also one of those topics that people will keep dragging up because Contemporary Relevance and Continuing Controversies.
As I may have mentioned, my dearios, late last year I was beguiled into talking on this topic at an event at which I felt there was a certain mismatch between the invited panel and what the audience felt they were there for, but, anyhow, this led to an invitation to turn the talk into a short paper for imminent publication in an online postgrad journal, which evolved into a lot of faffery and deadline waving and the thing has not, some 6 months after we were told it was going live, actually appeared. (Am particularly bitter as I was obliged at a time when I was already very busy with other commitments to dig up at extremely short notice relevant references contradicting a misconception that the editor had somehow gleaned from another source and misinterpreted and wanted me to address.)
I have now been asked to bring my Expertise to an event in the autumn and am v ambivalent, especially as, although it is big important event they cannot actually pay me. However, I am also concerned that if I don't do it, they may get someone to do the history bit who perpetuates the Vulgar Errours which my decided inclination is to nuance, if not flat-out contradict. This entry was originally posted at http://oursin.dreamwidth.org/2287769.html. Please comment there using OpenID. View
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