what an interesting debate this is. so many mixed feelings, pros, cons,
facts and opinions.

smithsonian magazine, the publication that started letterboxing in the
united states. and just how many years ago was that? time magazine, how many
years ago was that?

perhaps not so long ago in terms of years, a long time ago in terms of the
need for publicity.

is not the need for publicity over? why does anyone feel a need to tell the
masses about letterboxing? secrecy, stealth, the joy of discovery. let those
that will be attracted discover letterboxing, or let letterboxing discover
them!

the information is already out there, in various forms of print, on the web,
and in various parks and organized group activities. we spoonfeed the masses
and then wonder why the masses want to be spoonfed.

yes, i am protective over who i share this wonderful hobby with. well, it is
more like obsession, but that is a different story. the same way i am
protective over anything that i consider special and full of wonderment. i
am selfish, i want my children and grandchildren to experience the wonder of
nature, the joy of discovery, the art of creating. i do not want a future
with a disney style letterboxing theme park. therefore, i believe in the
secret nature of letterboxing. secret does not equal mass publicity no
matter which way you look at it. well, with maybe the exception of that idea
on writing the article in cryptic form.

i am now rambling so will go to bed.

smile
uneksia

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True, true. The paper I work for is actually excited and I am going to be
planting a box named after the paper and publishing clues on how to find it
with the article. Should be interesting.

On 6/1/07, Silver Eagle wrote:
>
> Ironic that you want to spread the hobby even more in the state with
> the most boxes, but as a letterboxer who is also a journalist, I can
> see why you feel compelled to write an article about your passion. I
> think asking for help from this List is a good start, but if you
> decide to write it, might I suggest you do it different than all the
> others. Take advantage of the fact that you are a letterboxer and
> write it as if you are writing cryptic clues to a box. By all means
> explain the history and general idea of the hobby, but don't publish
> the websites or any box clues. Give the story an air of mystery so
> that if anyone is really interested they will find out more on their
> own. You can even be somewhat tongue-in-cheek and say that you will
> be tarred and feathered by the LB community if you say too much.
> Come to think of it, that might not be so tongue-in-cheek :)
>
> Silver Eagle
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> "Gormegil Menaechmi
> Sunderdragon" wrote:
> >
> > Hello all. I am a journalist in Meriden, CT and I am looking for a
> few
> > people from the towns listed in the subject to interview for a
> story I
> > am writing on letterboxing. I figure I may as well write about
> > something I like to do and it is an opportunity to spread the hobby
> > even more. I know I learned about it from a newspaper article a
> long
> > time ago.
> >
> > If there is anyone out there who would be willing to chat with me
> about
> > letterboxing who is from those areas I would appreciate it. Thank
> you.
> >
> > - Jesse
> >
> > jstanley@...
> >
>
>
>


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