Nibley: Footnote faker or not?

[_Quasimodo]

Well, we can keep tweaking the definition of successful (moving the goalposts) until practically anyone's performance is deemed successful. Draws breath? Check. Has pulse? Good.

You asked people who are in the same profession Nibley practiced. You got your answer. No, we do not deem him a successful academic. But, of course, you are free to continue to be as thick-skulled and obtuse as you like.

LOL...that was about 98% DCPish? "Draws breath? Check. Has pulse? Good. " Gotta love it:)

What I asked is for folks to show me how he was not successful...objectively?

He was a patriot. He was a professor at BYU for how many years? How many books did he write, and how many are still available? He was a favorite on the LDS "speaking circuit." And he carries a legacy today.

How is that a failure Kish?

What is the benchmark for success in being a scholar?

Forgive my intrusion (out of my league here), but maybe the benchmark for success in the academic world is the approval of one's peers. Who else could judge?

Financial success is a good thing in a personal way, but that can be achieved in any field without intellectual integrity. Maybe integrity could be a drawback for financial success. Erich Von Daniken comes to mind.

[_Markk]

Prove me wrong?[/size]

How about a nice game of chess?

Actually I haven't played chess since I was paroled from San Quentin ...

[_Markk]

Forgive my intrusion (out of my league here), but maybe the benchmark for success in the academic world is the approval of one's peers. Who else could judge?

Financial success is a good thing in a personal way, but that can be achieved in any field without intellectual integrity. Maybe integrity could be a drawback for financial success. Erich Von Daniken comes to mind.

Seeing that HN was pretty much limited to LDS circles, wouldn't his peers be LDS scholars...which again he was a rock star?

But if we use that same logic and apply it to Movies...Sylvester Stallone, Jim Carey, Adam Sandler and alike were never really successful in that the "academy" does not recognize their work...and folks like Michael Fassbender are?

Okay, I am stretching it here, but it drives my point that there is enough common sense evidence that HN was a success in his chosen field to his chosen audience.

Do you looking at HN life really believe he was a failure? You can believe he was a hack, as i do, or a saint, as many LDS do, but i think anyone with any objectivity can see he was successful in his world and environment. There is BJ Roberts? Widstoe? Milton Hunter? who else comes close to HN in LDS "scholarship?"

[Guest]

There is BJ Roberts? Widstoe? Milton Hunter? who else comes close to HN in LDS "scholarship?"

Dear Lord. Save us. B. H. Roberts. Why do you even bother?

I would say that the one book Nibley wrote that has a chance of leaving a noteworthy mark as a work of Mormon intellectualism and social commentary is Approaching Zion.

But, it is highly unlikely that you will see this book published as was Talmage's Jesus the Christ, which has a para-scriptural status and was long considered approved reading for LDS missionaries. Nor do I think it will ever be as well regarded or respected as Roberts' and Widstoe's major contributions.

Is there any definition of successful that Nibley fits? Sure. He had a long career inspiring a small number of Mormon geeks to get into ancient history, biblical studies, etc. He inspired other popular Mormon intellectuals, and he was a big inspiration for FARMS. Most everything that he inspired has been consigned to the intellectual and spiritual dustbin, but it did have its day. Approaching Zion is still worthwhile reading for believers, although precious few will do so.

[_Bret Ripley]

How about a nice game of chess?

Actually I haven't played chess since I was paroled from San Quentin ...

Right, let's settle this, then: Prawn to King's Horsey 4, which is a Double Word Score square. I rolled doubles, so I get to go again ... damn, I landed on Free Parking. Your spin.

[_Markk]

Dear Lord. Save us. B. H. Roberts. Why do you even bother?

I would say that the one book Nibley wrote that has a chance of leaving a noteworthy mark as a work of Mormon intellectualism and social commentary is Approaching Zion.

But, it is highly unlikely that you will see this book published as was Talmage's Jesus the Christ, which has a para-scriptural status and was long considered approved reading for LDS missionaries. Nor do I think it will ever be as well regarded or respected as Roberts' and Widstoe's major contributions.

Is there any definition of successful that Nibley fits? Sure. He had a long career inspiring a small number of Mormon geeks to get into ancient history, biblical studies, etc. He inspired other popular Mormon intellectuals, and he was a big inspiration for FARMS. Most everything that he inspired has been consigned to the intellectual and spiritual dustbin, but it did have its day. Approaching Zion is still worthwhile reading for believers, although precious few will do so.

So then in your mind, Nibley was a failure... is that a fair assessment?

Are you a success?

[_Markk]

Right, let's settle this, then: Prawn to King's Horsey 4, which is a Double Word Score square. I rolled doubles, so I get to go again ... damn, I landed on Free Parking. Your spin.

Actually Kish is doing all the spinning!

[_Bret Ripley]

Right, let's settle this, then: Prawn to King's Horsey 4, which is a Double Word Score square. I rolled doubles, so I get to go again ... damn, I landed on Free Parking. Your spin.

Actually Kish is doing all the spinning!

No, Ma'am, That's Not Chess.

[_Lemmie]

Interesting, I ask you for support for the assertions you are making, and your answer is:

1. Google his name.

Here I will do it for you ,the first of many book reviews

Paula Bothwell rated it liked it
Hugh Nibley is a genius. I am not a genius. It took me forever to read this book, not because it was boring, but because half of the time I was not even familiar with what he was writing about. I think it is a good reference book to have.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5399 ... _of_Mormon
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/399199.Hugh_Nibley
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3992 ... on=service
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3992 ... on=service

With little effort Lemmie you can spend hours finding support to my assertion that he was very popular to his audience (rock star).

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.

Show me now equally... how he was not successful.


_

You consider cherry-picked positive amazon reader reviews by nonprofessional readers to be evidence of rockstar status? that's gullible.

This does not constitute evidence, support, or a reference: "you can spend hours finding support to my assertion that he was very popular to his audience (rock star)."

Show you now equally.... what? you didn't show anything.

[_Kishkumen]

Failure, success...

Rock star...

Villain...

Child rapist...

Saint...

I'll go for teacher who inspired me to study antiquity.