I just finished reading Richard's message. Where to begin? My first reaction was incredulity. You're planning to teach a book you've never read? I'm enjoying the book immensely (two more chapters to go) but I but being so close the subject, the idea of fandom being used as a classroom exercise feels like an enormous breach of privacy. Several years ago I was still working at the Houston Public Library. I was working a Sunday afternoon with a colleague who wasn't a member of the department. I knew her superficially, but I certainly didn't consider her a personal friend. She was very quiet all afternoon. Finally, after closing, she turned to me and said something to the effect of "I had no idea you were such a rebel." When I looked confused, she explained that she had jsut returned from an library conference where she had attended a panel on feminist literature that had centered on "slash" writing. The presenter used all the usual academic safeguards (initials, etc.) but she had zines (with names attached), artwork, etc. After the discussion, my acquaintance went to the front to look at the display. The presenter saw Houston Texas on her badge and asked if she knew me, explaining that I participant. My colleague winked and said something like, "Now the macho Captain is finally getting a taste of his own medicine." To say that I was outraged is an understatement. I'm not talking about fear of losing my job etc. etc. (a vision of Amerika I don't share). I'm talking about having an aspect of my life I don't even share with my family bandied about so irresponsibly. I'm talking about the vulnerability I felt standing there with a near stranger who now know much more about me than I ever wanted her to know. This person was also an active feminist. She came out of that panel cheering because a macho figure was getting fucked over by women. She didn't care or understand that she was trashing a character that is very important to me. So, the idea of having a class of college students picking over my way of life is particularly attractive. You can say the presenter was irresponsible, blah, blah, blah, but I'm not the only person this has happened to. Oops, I've got to go. Only having net access at work has it's drawbacks. Consider this part 1. Lezlie Shell M [log in to unmask] inner life is not a pleasant one.