Date: 24 May 1996 15:06:15 EST
Subject: SOKAL AND THE STAR SYSTEM



          Somebody posted  an  article  here  claiming  that  Alan  Sokal's
          article was published in SOCIAL TEXT because he is  a "star," and
          nobody questions the work of a "star."  This is, simply, absurd.
          Sokal  is  not  a  star;  and  I   am  told  that  NYU's  physics
          depopartment, where Sokal teaches, is not considered particularly
          strong.  The program headed  by  SOCIAL TEXT editor Andrew  Ross,
          also of  NYU,  is another story:  the  big bucks were located for
          him, and he genuinely is a "star" --  a celebrity of the cultural
          studies scene.  Guess which one is most likely to  get whacked by
          the stockholders.



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