Re: The Coming Rapprochement

["Bob LeChevalier (lojbab)" <lojbab@lojban.org>]

At 07:58 PM 01/01/2000 -0500, xod wrote:
>On Sat, 1 Jan 2000, Bob LeChevalier (lojbab) wrote:
> > compatibility with TLI Loglan was very high in priority because we 
> believed
> > rapprochement was inevitable.  (I still believe it is inevitable, but
> > probably not while JCB is still alive to keep his core
> > together.  Afterwards, similarity between the language versions will be
>
>Do you foresee LLG forsaking baseline, or TLI adopting Lojban after
>JCB's passing?

LLG will not forsake the baseline.  That is no longer a consideration.  TLI 
had many chances to negotiate with us when Lojban was still open for 
change.  (Even if I were willing to consider it, the membership voted at a 
LogFest a few years ago to close this option).

I don't see TLI surviving as a meaningful organization unless they reach a 
rapprochement with us and I'm not sure that is possible - I just think that 
the TLI supporters will migrate to Lojban due to a vacuum at TLI).  On 
language design issues, that rapprochement will be based on the Lojban 
design.  To put it frankly, I don't think TLI has any leverage to ask for 
anything else.  We have in place things like the alternate orthography, and 
rudimentary tools for inter-version translation that could be 
enhanced.  for the language users, we have superior teaching materials, a 
superior book, and a lively community (and your efforts are not hurting in 
the least, xod).

It is still possible if not especially plausible that JCB will devise a way 
to have someone meaningfully assume his role.  He has implied that some 
legalities are in place or in process.  But I don't think there is anyone 
with the wherewithal and commitment to do the job, because by nature JCB 
has not tolerated people of that sort anywhere close to 'power' for very 
long.  Most likely, if there is someone who could do the job amongst the 
TLI supporters, JCB's legal setup will ensure that that person would not be 
the one who got the job.

McIvor has been the person who has kept the technical aspects of the 
project together at TLI, and done a most excellent job of maintaining the 
unmaintainable (and I would say that even if he wasn't reading %^).  But I 
don't think he would want the job of "TLI Loglan Central".  They have a 
couple of people who want to use the language, but none have publicly shown 
organization leadership.

The only caveat is that TLI is run on a private mailing list that I have no 
direct access to.  I have checked on occasion with people plugged in who I 
trust, and I haven't heard of anything to change my point of 
view.  Something could emerge to keep TLI alive.  But it would be better 
for the Loglan project if the TLI version of the language fades away after 
transition in favor of Lojban.

Note that I have no evidence implying JCB's impending passing, though he is 
79 years old.  Some people including him might think that I would wish for 
it to happen, but I have never managed to summon up dislike for JCB, much 
less hatred; I understand too well and I personally liked the man a great 
deal before the fight.

lojbab
----
lojbab                     ***NOTE NEW ADDRESS***           lojbab@lojban.org
Bob LeChevalier, President, The Logical Language Group, Inc.
2904 Beau Lane, Fairfax VA 22031-1303 USA               703-385-0273
Artificial language Loglan/Lojban:
   see Lojban WWW Server: href=" http://xiron.pc.helsinki.fi/lojban/ "
   Order _The Complete Lojban Language_ - see our Web pages or ask me.