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RE: Here we go.......

Posted by John Atkinson (R) on May 19, 2015 at 18:06:08

In Reply to: RE: Here we go....... posted by John Atkinson on May 18, 2015 at 19:23:57:

>Thanks Sue. I'll search my email archive from this period when I get home
>from my road trip.

Okay, I have found my emails but not Sue's. But as I quoted large chunks
of Sue's emails, the meanings will be clear. Let me make it clear, this was
private correspondence and I wouldn't normally make it public. But as Sue
raised the matter, I can't really respond without posting these emails. So
let the chips fall where they may:

--------------------------------------------
From: Atkinson, John
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 5:08 PM
To: 'Sue Kraft'; 'John Marks'
Subject: RE: New Audio Asylum Post: General Asylum
>TAS is only published bi-monthly, and up until last December when
Valerie passed away, they managed to find room for two women.<

With respect Sue, would you rather have women published in a
magazine because they are women first and writers/critics
second -- which is the case with TAS -- or because they are
writers and critics who incidentally happen to be women?

I will hire anyone for Stereophile who can give me what I, as
an editor need, which is something to say and the ability to
say it. To my regret I have not yet encountered a woman who can
do that who was able to join my team.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

From: Atkinson, John
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 10:32 AM
To: 'Sue Kraft'
Cc: 'John Marks'
Subject: RE: New Audio Asylum Post: General Asylum
>Thanks, John [Marks]. You're a real gentleman. Wish I could say
the same for your boss.<

Hi Sue, perhaps I was a bit blunt yesterday, but I hardly see why
you feel you have to demean me.

I deal with writers on a daily basis; I also read just about
every review of an audio component that is published in the
English-speaking world. I assess not only Stereophile's writers
but every one I read on their ability not only to write but to
think. I am constantly on the lookout for new blood. But I have
no intention of relaxing my editorial standards by hiring a woman
simply because she is a woman. To me that demeans both editor and
writer.

I read your stuff, I used to read Valerie's stuff. Both of you
are/were good, journeyman writers who comfortably fit within TAS's
editorial mission. But unfortunately, I don't/didn't see that spark
I crave, that would have me on the phone to you to try to replace
one of my existing writing team.

Does my saying this make me "not a gentleman"? You are free to
think so, of course, but I believe that being honest with people
and refraining from patronizing them shows more respect. -- John

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

To: "Sue Kraft"
CC: John Marks
From: John Atkinson
Date: 5/7/2004, 7:31 PM
Re: Re: New Audio Asylum Post: General Asylum
Message text written by "Sue Kraft"
>You mean to tell me I've been waiting by the phone all these years
for nothing? Thanks so much for your honesty in telling me you won't
be calling. Now I can finally get on with my life. I guess I was
wrong - you really are a gentleman after all.<

I am sorry Sue, I fail to understand the anger you direct at me, or
why you would want deliberately to antagonize the editor of the most
widely read audio magazine in the English-speaking world. I have
been no less honest with you than I am with any of my writing team.

You do a good job at TAS but the reality is that with the current
exception of Harry Pearson, Jonathan Valin, and Robert Harley, that
magazine [in 2004], on the hardware writer side at least, is a Triple-A
outfit. Doesn't mean that a writer can't learn her craft at TAS, but
please don't confuse that magazine with something that's ready to
hit in the major leagues. -- John

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

To: Sue Kraft
From: John Atkinson
Date: 5/9/2004, 10:28 AM
Re: Re: New Audio Asylum Post: General Asylum
Message text written by Sue Kraft
>I'm not angry, just baffled as to why you feel the need to keep
telling me I'm not good enough for Stereophile. Are you trying to
help me out?<

Sue, you took a potshot at a competing magazine on a public forum. I
paid you the respect of explaining to you in person, not in public,
why your potshot was, in my opinion, poorly aimed.

>How am I suppose to respond? I'm happy writing for TAS, and I'm
sorry if that offends you.<

It doesn't offend me at all. This isn't about you, Sue. You complain
that, unlike TAS, Stereophile doesn't employ a woman reviewer. All
I am doing is explain[ing] that when a woman appears on the scene whose
talent and experience would justify my firing one of the current
team, I would hire that person. That is all. -- John

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

To: Sue Kraft
From: John Atkinson
Date: 5/9/2004, 4:25 PM
Re: Re: New Audio Asylum Post: General Asylum
Message text written by Sue Kraft
>I apologize if you took my comment over at AA as a potshot against
Stereophile. It really wasn't intended to be.<

Apology accepted Sue. I think that those of us whose bylines are
published should be circumspect about criticizing each other in
public, is all.

>There's probably a few other female reviewers out there that, if it
were up to me, I wouldn't hire. But I could easily make that same
comment about a few of the guys. In other words, your point is well
taken that writers should be hired based upon ability and talent
rather than gender.<

Glad we agree. As I said, I think you're doing good work at TAS.
-- John

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile


John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

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