On Tue, 3 Jan 2006, Jon Lincicum wrote: > Philip Hart wrote: > > >A simple scenario: Dragaeran X creates a box that communicates with SKZB. > >X teaches him the language via the box. X gives the box to Vlad. Vlad > >has never met SKZB. Vlad gives the box to Sethra, leading to the > >SKZB-Paarfi interview. Paarfi has met the person who gives him the > >box, but has never physically met SKZB. > > > > > Ah. I see, you're contending that the "old fool" who gave Vlad money to > talk into the box was not actually Brust himself, but rather, it was an > intermediary? I'm pointing out one of various simple scenarios consistent with SKZB being bound to here/now. Incidentally, it is not necessary that X be an intermediary. > Possible. I.e., your earlier assertion was entirely wrong. > However, this begs the obvious question No, it doesn't. Perhaps Mark will explain. > who could serve in such a capacity? And how did Brust get into contact > with HIM? (Or his intermediary, or however many levels of intermediate > negotiators you'd like to add.) You've just discovered that we don't know all the details of how the Texts got transmitted, in case they did. > Furthermore, this scenario does NOT address the Paarfi interview That's incorrect.