Salient. An organ of student opinion at Victoria University, Wellington. Vol. 23, No. 9. Wednesday, November 9, 1960

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Return To "Salient"

Sir,—Criticism of late has been levelled at Salient. The editor has been much maligned.

Might I suggest sir, that this is an 'example of scapegoat-finding or (psychologically) protection? How can the editor produce an organ of student opinion when there seemingly is not any opinion around? Surely Salient reflects the present "tone" of Victoria. Criticism of Salient is in effect criticism of oneself.

Perhaps however there is plenty of opinion around but those producing it do not consider there is to be any worth in writing their conclusions for Salient. Are they ashamed of their thinking? Do they fear being "branded?" Surely if someone throws out an opinion he is not committed to that point of view for the rest of his life? If he is not vegetating his opinions will be sprouting, blossoming, evolving, changing.

Diana Picton

Diana Picton

Or maybe the "opinionated" have lost faith in their contemporaries' ability to make an honest appraisal of new ideas.

Admittedly there is too much of the "my ideas are right for me therefore they are right for you" attitude rather than the "my ideas are right for me and it is possible they are right for you" attitude. I would not call the situation hopeless though, as others whose contributions to Salient are conspicuous by their absence, are implying.

These are two suggestions as to why Salient at the moment is only feebly fulfilling its function as an organ of student opinion. Perhaps readers will be sufficiently concerned to offer others.

The recent appearance of Ulysses was an attempt to shock students out of inertia rather than to criticise Salient.

Yours,

Diana Picton.