Though I rarely post, I wanted to respond to your concerns about
publicity because your posts over the years have always been
respectful of others, cogent and thoughtfully written.
I was involved with the "Time" reporter and article. Like you, I
hestitated about doing this at all. I exchanged emails with the
others who were mentioned, all veteran letterboxers, and, I think I
can speak for all involved. We felt that if we didn't do this and
emphasize the traditions associated with the game, the wrong
impression would have been given to the reading public and, sadly,
even more letterboxes would go missing. Doing this was truly a double
edged sword.
Further, we invited the writer of the piece, Deirdre Van Dyk, to
Connecticut to letterbox with those of us in the East who had done
phone interviews with her. Deirdre graciously gave up her one day a
week off and joined us. Before we set one foot on a trail, we sat
with her at lunch and discussed in great detail the nuances of the
game and how playing it runs along a continuum from complete stealth
and anonymity to others who are much more open. Incidentally, in
advance of Deridre's coming to Connecticut and writing the piece, she
read Randy Hall's book. Most of us had several telephone
conversations with her and we emailed back and forth constantly
because she was committed to painting as accurate a picture as she
could. Shortly before publication, her editor reduced her allotted
space to 99 lines so she had to cut quite a bit of content from the
piece.
While we all were letterboxing with Deirdre, we happened upon some
technical scenarios that, I feel, helped her understand how the game
is played and some of the issues we all face and discuss on the talk-
lists. We came upon a poorly hidden letterbox, some clues that were
written in such a way as to cause undesirable impact to the
environment and a box hidden in plain sight of a family gathering
that we decided to pass on. We took the time to point these things
out to her and I feel she achieved a more balanced perspective that
most letterboxers are sensitive to the environment and LNT, are
thoughtful and respectful people who would pass up a letterbox rather
than compromise its location to non-boxers.
Whether the piece was 99 lines or 9 pages, it would have attracted
people to our beloved game who had both good and bad intentions,
some who will stay and become great and interesting players or others
who will try it, lose interest and fade away. In that regard, if
the "Time" article was to happen at all, ironically, we probably have
the writer's editor to thank for preventing too much from being
written about it. The downside is that regional media sources who
picked up on the piece are now clammoring for their own spin, as many
of you have already found out. Best kept secrets aren't secrets for
very long.
I think we are all saddened by the loss of a letterbox, particularly
when it happens at the hand of man. While art is ephemeral, it still
smarts and makes us ask why anyone would be so thoughtless. This is
one reason so many of us harp "ad nauseum" on the importance of
rehiding a box carefully and making good choices about hiding spots.
These things need to be reiterated over and over somewhere so that
those who are new to the game of letterboxing follow on with respect
for the efforts by and hard work from every boxer who preceded them.
It's also just one reason why so many of us are not publishing our
clues any longer and making them WOM.
Your comment about media people having their own agendas is true.The
nature of the press is that, in theory, it may strive for balance,
but the end result is always presented with a point of view. It was
extremely important for those of us who were involved with "Time" to
make sure that the article was as balanced as it could be. If it had
to happen at all, I, for one, am thankful to have worked with a
reporter who was generous of herself and her time, understood our
delimma and attempted to write about letterboxing as fairly as
possible.
Don and Gwen, I am very sorry for the loss of your letterboxes.
Alafair
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Gwen and Don Jackson"
... We were contacted by the Time writer, but we chose not to
respond. Not only do I think that the game is better served by word
of mouth, I have a great distrust of most news folks as they will
always follow THEIR agenda. ...Publicity for this game can be
detrimental to the viability of the planted letterboxes. That is just
the way it is. For those that only "Find" the missing letterbox is an
inconvenience. For those that "Plant" the missing letterbox is more
than that, and a little part of you is gone... Don