Critic's Corner

Power and responsibility

71.190.26.187

In Reply to: RE: Why is it a clear and very obvious impropriety posted by Sommovigo on May 23, 2008 at 06:19:20

>Considering that JV seems to have run fast-and-furious-and-damn-the-rules
>of late, it would seem the safer option for him to practice his craft a
>little more conservatively and preserve what remains of TAS' credibility.

I have no intention of commenting on this matter. Each magazine operates
under a set of policies that its principals feel appropriate. But in my own
case, I haven't forgotten something Linn's Ivor Tiefenbrun said to me a
quarter century ago, when we were having a heated argument about the role of
magazines: "Reviewers practise power without responsibility!" was Ivor's
summation.

When reviewers screw up, there are not really any consequences for them
personally, except perhaps in the very long term. But manufacturers and
dealers can be significantly affected by the screw-up. I am not claiming
perfection -- Charlie Hansen and I are having an ongoing dialog about what
he regards as disappointing behavior on my part -- but I do tend to be
more conservative than some other editors, because of Ivor's cautionary
words.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Follow Ups:

RE: Power and responsibility - Sommovigo 07:12:01 05/24/08 (2)
- Back in the late Eighties, early Nineties... - clarkjohnsen 08:53:27 05/24/08 (0)
- RE: Power and responsibility - elliot@frontrowtheater.com 07:54:10 05/24/08 (0)

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