> Right, but, for somebody who's an uncompromising anarchist, isn't
> "professional" a rather tainted way of saying "look great" or "look better
> than that?" Competence is certainly part of a "profession," but usually so
> is a major dose of arbitrary power and privilege, right? That's why
> lawyers, for instance, insist on writing badly. Otherwise, everybody can
> see what they're saying and doing.
I'm aware of the connotations of that word. It is used frequently in our culture to describe a product of some quality. Perhaps a better word can be found to describe quality creative work.
> Don't think I've ever heard Noam Chomsky use the word "professional" to
> distinguish himself...
I wouldn't know. I use "professional" to describe myself sometimes because I am a librarian, in other words, a professional.
Chuck