#OED
Richard Day (70521,2167)
I bow to your experience in the publishing industry. I have none, so
I don't know what the costs of printing and distribution really are. Since
I am acclimated to paying $13 to $30 for quality printed softbound books,
and ridiculous prices for hardbound books like $45 for "The Way of the
Dream" by Marie-Louise Von Franz, (a book with limited circulation because
it is on the subject of Jungian dream analysis,) I had assumed that the
multi-volume set of the OED on the University Library shelf had cost a
couple of grand. Perhaps the U of Washington actually DID pay a couple of
grand for the work. Reading your posting, it seems possible.
While I am writing this, at 1:30 a.m., 05-01-1992, in downtown
Seattle, outside my window, the police, in cars, helicopters, vans, on foot
in riot gear, and on horseback, are patrolling the streets in force. I
just took the elevator down to the street level, and stood outside with the
manager of my apartment building, and several other of my fellow tenants.
Walking down the streets are groups of young (mostly black) people, wearing
the uniforms of various street gangs. Street-gang uniform in Seattle
consists of jackets marketed by the National Football League, each gang
choosing a favorite team. The largest street gang, the BGD's, wears
emblems of the of L.A. Raiders, black shiny jackets with the team insignia,
(football helmet and cross-bones) emblazoned on the back.
What I just saw in the street was this. These people, who have
stirred up a large police presence, and the fear in this community are
mostly 13 to 17 year old kids. I hear, outside my window as I write this,
a police bullhorn ordering a crowd to disperse. Thank God I don't own a TV
set, because with these sources of fear in the street outside my building,
I don't need the added source of fear, the sensational video from the TV
news. How is it that we have come to fear so much, the children of our
neighbors? But I digress.