Absolute ignorance

The good doctor's views are mere misguided opinion. As Les Robertson might say, "He hasn't done his homework".

Knifemaking as an art form is an established fact, NOT opinion. Knifemaking was officially recognized as a true art form at the "National" level on Saturday, March 13, 1999.

On that date, at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Chancellor James Leutze presented the "National Living Treasure Award" to Arkansas knifemaker Jerry Fisk.



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primos.gif

Terry's Website
 
Perhaps the good doctor is too engrossed in his work and we should just leave him alone so he can "fix the world" for us.

After all, "bad economics" has lead to more anxiety, social unrest, starvation and war than any "knife" ever has.

But - that's just my opinion.

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives


www.andersoncustomknives.com
 
Razoredj: right on target, bro...
Anyone interested in a full treatment as to why we have rights, why we have a Constitution, why it MUST be defended, should pick up the little inexpensive book (3 or 4 bucks at Amazon.com) by Frederic Bastiat called: The Law. it's only about 80 pages, and AXIOMATIC concerning life, liberty, & property, versus Legal Plunder. If you value anything in this life or the next, read this book. ~NOT all opinions are equal BECAUSE TRUTH DOES EXIST.~ 2+2=4 even when you disagree; knives are useful, have been useful, & will continue to be useful even when you disagree. If anyone out there on Blade-forums can't afford the book i recommend, let me know: i'll BUY you one... {or send one via electronic access}.
Doctorate professors are prone to err like the rest: ~O, how the mighty have fallen.~
Remember folks: a degree is like the curl in the tail of a pig:
it follows the main part of an animal;
it is highly ornamental;
& in no way does it improve the quality of the ham...
Climber


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Clif :)
"Percival... I never knew how empty was my soul until it was filled."
Arthur the King upon sipping from the Grail.
 
I would like to say that I agree with General in that if forumites e-mail this professor, they should use an intelligent and respectful tone. They should also emphasize the practical utility of knives and not their potential as weapons. They should also point out that the Professor surely uses cutting tools like scissors, kitchen knives, hedge clippers, nail clippers, and probably replaceable razor blade utility knives or paper cutters. All of these implements as well as others like hammers, screwdrivers, drills, and icepicks can be used as weapons. Simply put, there is no way society that can function without access to tools that have potential use as weapons. Even clothes like boot heels, neck ties and belts (especially buckles) can be very deadly weapons. Unless he wants to live like a prisoner on suicide watch, he will have to accept that people have to have access to potentially dangerous tools. That is where morals, values, and law enforcement come into play to make sure we stick to socially acceptable standards of conduct.

Finally, I will say that I am a professor at a university and I love and respect my profession. The academy is full of smart people and experts of many kinds. Despite this wealth of intelligence, it is important to know that professors are human with all the predjudices and hangups of people without Ph.Ds. Unless a person is speaking about their are of expertise, a Ph.D. or any other kind of doctorate means very little to me.
 
I am sorry I wrote up that point about getting mugged. Not something I would wish on anyone, even my enemies. Just that prior to reading this, I was watching the latest of the Croc Dundee films and that knife seen in the park sort of came to the forefront of my mind.

Personally, I'm glad I've not had to pull my knife for a self-defense job yet. But there were 2 occassions when I was almost ready to use it. Both occassions were quite similar, involving drunk Aussie blokes who probably had a touch too much racism in their blood. They were verbally abusive and a couple even started to walk threateningly towards me, even as I turned to walk away and use another route (note: even if you turn and walk away, don't let up your guard or lose sight of them. A beer bottle is a pretty lethal weapon even when thrown). I would have preferred to take them on bare handed so that there would be less problems with the police after, but I figured I was out-numbered and out-matched in size so that would be a good excuse. And I also believe that these people are ready to take on an unarmed, meek person, but are not, no matter how drunk they are, ready to take on an armed person. So the shock factor of seeing my knife come in to play might have discouraged them.

But as I mentioned, I was fortunate that they decided not to continue the abuse and got back to drinking. So I didn't have to pull the knife or get in to a fight.
 
One item we haven't really discussed much is that of possible Internet prankery... It is just possible that the good professor didn't write that e-mail at all, and that someone appended his address to troll-mail designed to get flames. If that's the case, the deluge of BF e-mails he's receiving merely play into the prank. I'm not saying that's what has happened, but it is at least possible. That's why I haven't bothered sending e-mail of my own.

It was probably a breach of Netiquette to post his e-mail address here, but the deed is done...

-Razor

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AKTI #A000845
And tomorrow when you wake up it will be worse.
 
Many great points. I'd also like to make a point. Stereotyping people because they have a Dr. in front of their name and an edu address is no different that stereotyping people who make knives. I also agree with the points made by A.G. and Mo.

Dr. Hoodoo
triert@gvsu.edu
 
I have had severaal replies from Dr. Dunlop ( all with terrible spelling and grammar errors ), he is real I have checked his profile on the university webpage. Prior to posting on the forum I had mailed him and asked in a very polite manner that he might explain his reasons for sending me such a senseless and unprovoked email. All I have recieved in reply is more of the same unexplainable, opinionated garbage. I will be contacting the minister of education in his state enclosing all correspondance with this idiot. To those of you who have shown support and written many wise things ,thankyou. To those who think I should let this lie, I am sorry. I have had enough of these kind of people and wil do my best, in a proffessional manner and through the correct channels to highlight Dr. Dunlop as the smallminded fool that he is.

Regards Steve,,

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Steve Filicietti
Custom Knives
AUSTRALIA
http://www.unitedbladeworx.com.au
 
Excuse me, General, but I thought that Ron and I went far out of our ways to sound most reasonable to this gentleman. In my case, Itried to make the point that even as a member of a known "Peace Church", I carry a pocket knife as a tool, a fact well-known to many members of the Forum. I also tried to point out that many Americans, including such respected organizations as the Boy Scouts, recognize that knives are useful tools and may be safely carried by boys for such purposes. Finally, I tried to point out that history has shown us that dire need will have virtually any tool pressede into use as a weapon to defen freedom, home, and family, from the agricultural flail to the bill hook to the hiking staff.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
We're talking about the freedom of each person to have and share their opinions (regardless of whether they are valid or factual). This includes Dr. Dunlop having the right to be wrong. This also includes for each of us, the right to respond to him or not. I don't share the opinion that emails to him will have no effect. Maybe we won't sway him from his pacifistic positions, but hopefully we can correct his hate mail policy.

Some might wonder if Steve should have given out the doctor's email address. I believe Steve was correct. Dr. Dunlop made an irresponsible and unsolicited jab at Steve's business. If he was concerned about his privacy, he would have kept his opinions to himself or used a free, generic email account (like Hotmail). Again, I don't know of any professor who will be shaken by opposing views. In responding to him, I felt that I should not lower myself to his tactics, but rather attempt to correct him with logic and respect. I have a very clean conscience for emailing him and hope he will return comments to me. Time will tell.

I do stereotype academics. I view them as smart enough to share my opinions! Actually, professors should have a broad enough worldview to know all sides of an issue.

What has bothered me about Dr. Dunlop's email, is that it was proactive and hateful. When a professor becomes so narrow in their view that they feel a proactive position of activism is required, they are going too far. Sure, they have the right to do that, but I see professors positions as not furthering a political agenda, but rather teaching all sides of an issue.

Case-in-point. If a professor teaches a class in "Comparative Religions" in a secular university and happens to personally be strongly of one faith, if he "preaches" his religious beliefs and discredits the other faiths, that would be an abuse of his position. They should dispense information on all sides objectively, allowing students to make up their own mind on "values oriented issues."


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Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com


[This message has been edited by Ron@SOG (edited 05-23-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ron@SOG:
Actually, professors should have a broad enough worldview to know all sides of an issue.</font>
Click to expand...

That sounds good but doesn't have much basis in reality. Actually, professors are very narrowly trained. The pace of science, technology, and knowledge in general necessitates specialization. It's the nature of the beast, whether you agree with it or not. There are a few--very few--that break out of this pattern but it's more the exception than the rule. A Professor of Biology is likely to be as ignorant of quantum mechanics as the average lay person. And a Professor of Physics most likely doesn't know the difference between meiosis and mitosis. For instance, what you have to learn to get a Ph.D. in the sciences is vastly different from what you have to learn to get a Ph.D. in say, history. In general, college professors are not broadly trained, they are specialists. And they are guilty of all the emotions, prejudices, etc that afflict all of humankind. They have their biases, just like everyone else. A Ph.D. does not guarantee an open mind and it doesn't mean that professors won't stereotype people, just like other people stereotype professors. It's a form of ignorance that people are guilty of, regardless of their profession or education. Nor does a Ph.D. guarantee that a scientist will know about cubism or automechanics or knives. In fact, usually just the opposite occurs. Myopia is often an occupational hazard, because of the intense focus required to deal with the mountain of literature germane to a specific discipline, or a specific area within a specific discipline.



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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Hoodoo,

You are very correct. The operative word was "should." If they are going to teach (or rebuke) on a given subject, they "should" gave a broad enough worldview to know all sides of an issue. I feel they have an obligation to their students to present the "whole picture," not just their bias.
 
When I was 17 I thought my dad was an old dumb guy, because I KNEW, what the world would need.
When I was 37, I found out that my dad was right, most of the time.
When I was 57, unfortunately my dad had passed away, taking with him all the things he knew and I still did NOT.
Let's hope Mr "Dogood", one day, finds out.
Happy sharpening
smile.gif


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Ted
 
Just thought I'd mention that I am a tree-hugging liberal with an academic background. Seriously. I also have a strong belief in the right to self-defense, a concealed-carry license, and a nice collection of firearms and knives. Not everyone fits into the usual stereotypes.
biggrin.gif


--Bob Q
 
I'm sorry if anyone was offended by my comments, allow me to clafify a little. FullerH and Ron, your comments were very thoughtful and exellently put, well done sirs! Normark, I was not intending to have a go par say, but all I was trying to point out was as much as I agree with your sentiments, having a go or getting anoyed here is not perhaps the best thing to do. Now that is only my opinion and probably not as valid as many here, but in my experience, when dealing with people with an entrenched opinion, the worst thing you can do is attack or insult. It matters NOT whether you in fact did insults etc, but rather the tone and 'feeling' of a letter/e-mail will immediatly make this person think he is in the right and that you are proving his point for him. Namely that people that carry knives are rude, antisocial and somewhat unstable. Now this is quite a strong line for me to suggest and I don't think many of the posts here have been anything but respectful, but when we talk about wishing a person would get mugged just to prove our point right, we miss something vital. Yes this person is WRONG IMHO knives ARE Art! However, dumb as he is, he has an opinion and as long as he is not able to stop our interests I say let it go. Sometimes by returning fire, you create a vicious cycle in which no one can win, look at the Israli and Palastinians at the moment. Neither will stop, both loose big time. My point is IMHO this is NOT the time to wage a battle in a hostlie or even slightly offended fashion. What we need is 110% calm, collected and respectful posts/e-mails. But then I am dumb, so I am probably wrong
frown.gif


All I know is if my private e-mail was bombarded with people saying stuff about knives and saying stuff that was... well offensive or inflamatory, I think in my Ivory tower I would show the worst e-mails to my collegues and say look at this ****...

Do you think he would show them the respectful e-mails? Hell would he even read those? I doubt it...

When dealing with people like this, please people DON'T give them ammo. It happened in the UK and we could not stop them, the more we complained, the more they noticed us and saw us as a threat. Such is the way of the world.

It looks to me like getting this creep reprimanded would work far better! Lets let this run its course and not give him a leg to stand on! Go getim tiger!
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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!

[This message has been edited by The General (edited 05-23-2001).]
 
Well, I read this thread in its entirety. Many good points made, some valiant efforts.

Gotta admit that the notion of writing to the good professor intrigues me. To be truthful, typically I'd write and re-write and edit, and add and subtract, and at some point lose interest and fail to send a word. But, Steve F in his wisdom chose to delete the e-mail addy for the prof. If one of you who did correspond could send it to me, I'd be very grateful.

I do hope that Steve's efforts with the authorities at the university are successful. It probably is the only way to stop him from his misguided mission to save the world from us whacko knife lovers. Still, one hopes that maybe the right word, presented in the correct manner might pierce what is likely a determined state of ignorance on the man's part. And, frankly, I don't think Hugh missed much. So maybe there isn't anything to say.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
I think the bottom line is, people like this cannot be reasoned with, nor can they be shown that inanimate objects do not kill. When you attempt to understand hoplophobes, you only end up giving them credit where it isn't due. They're not rational people, and therefore you cannot, or should not expect them to be rational. As Eric mentioned, go over to Europe or Canada or to New York for that matter, and you will lose all respect you may have had for the hoplophobes in office.
HOPLOPHOBIA. "An unreasoning, obsessive neurotic fear of weapons as such, usually accompanied by an irrational feeling that weapons possess a will or consciousness for evil, apart from the will of the user."-Col.Jeff Cooper
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro:
Finally, I will say that I am a professor at a university and I love and respect my profession. The academy is full of smart people and experts of many kinds. Despite this wealth of intelligence, it is important to know that professors are human with all the predjudices and hangups of people without Ph.Ds. Unless a person is speaking about their are of expertise, a Ph.D. or any other kind of doctorate means very little to me.</font>
Click to expand...

anthony, I couldn't agree more. Personally, I think where the professor screwed up was when he signed his email "Dr.". The intellectual authority implied by that title only extends to an academic's area of expertise and closely related fields. For instance, if you are a scientist, one would expect that you have a certain level of mathematical skills. If you are an economist, one would expect you to be versed in some history, etc. etc. But the PhD does not mean that you are an expert on all things. Such a feat is impossible. Using the title Dr. to give more weight to an opinion that has nothing to do with your discipline is irresponsible, imo, and an abuse of "power".

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
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