Blixa wrote:
This is not an example of being a successful scholar, Markk.
I don't know what else to tell you.
Also this bit of "common sense" is not true either: "You can find equal criticize which is a testament in its self that he was successful...when critics read your work consistently...it says a lot. "
Being the target of criticism does not "say a lot" about the worth or value of a person's work. And if by "critics" you mean contemporary scholars of antiquity, well no. They aren't commenting on Nibley at all. His work is only under discussion in the tiny world of people interested in Mormonism.
I have show objectively that he was successful to his audience, in fact very successful...all you have offered is subjective conjecture.
Being the target of criticism does not "say a lot" about the worth or value of a person's work. And if by "critics" you mean contemporary scholars of antiquity, well no. They aren't commenting on Nibley at all. His work is only under discussion in the tiny world of people interested in Mormonism.
What it shows is that your work is getting out...it is printed, believed, criticized, quoted, etc. It is a evidence of the success. I agree it is not a bench mark of the work, in regards to accuracy and truth...but it is in regards to his work on a personal level and too his audience.
His work is only under discussion in the tiny world of people interested in Mormonism.
Which was his audience and which whom a was very successful and made a respectful living in doing what he apparently loved.
I'll ask you the same question I asked others, where and what is the line in being a successful scholar? What is the opposite of being successful Blix? failure? In your mind was Nibley a failure? Or maybe you are saying that he did not meet his potential of what you believe he should or could, have been?
Don't take life so seriously in that " sooner or later we are just old men in funny clothes" "Tom 'T-Bone' Wolk"