The swedish Academy tumbles- Will it fall?

[Kurben]

Don't know if this is the right place for this or not but here goes. Today three people from The Swedish Academy left their work in protest against a decision concerning their involvement and degree of guilt in a person accused of sexual harassment. That person is married to a member of the Academy and has received money, grants and unlawful privileges to his ties with the academy. For the academy to work its statutes demand that at a minimum 12 people are involved or it loses its right to make decisions and in practicality cease to function. It has 18 members elected, also according to the statutes, for life. Earlier members had resigned in the wake of the Rushdie affair. They are still living so are technically members though they dont do any work. Today three more chose to withdraw because of the scandal and how, in their view, the academy has put personal friendships before both personal integrity and the academys integrity and rules and they say they cant support or be a part of an institution that acts in that way. Now its down to 13 working members and if one more decide to leave it might be the end. if two more goes it is definitely the end. Then they cant make decisions. The last Nobelprize has been awarded if this scenario plays out. A lot of cultural grants will not be paid out because the power to make decisions about them are not there anymore. Who, to get them? How much? and so on. And since it is a fund the government cant go in and establish order. It isn't private either so the solution, if there is one, must come from the 13 remaining. The simplest, if its possible i dont know, should be to adjust the statutes to a modern world (after all they were written by Gustav III in ca 1790). Not elect for life but instead until you, because of high age or cooperation difficulties choose not to be a part of the institution. Then they can elect 5 new people and be 18 again.

 

[Neesy]

Don't know if this is the right place for this or not but here goes. Today three people from The Swedish Academy left their work in protest against a decision concerning their involvement and degree of guilt in a person accused of sexual harassment. That person is married to a member of the Academy and has received money, grants and unlawful privileges to his ties with the academy. For the academy to work its statutes demand that at a minimum 12 people are involved or it loses its right to make decisions and in practicality cease to function. It has 18 members elected, also according to the statutes, for life. Earlier members had resigned in the wake of the Rushdie affair. They are still living so are technically members though they dont do any work. Today three more chose to withdraw because of the scandal and how, in their view, the academy has put personal friendships before both personal integrity and the academys integrity and rules and they say they cant support or be a part of an institution that acts in that way. Now its down to 13 working members and if one more decide to leave it might be the end. if two more goes it is definitely the end. Then they cant make decisions. The last Nobelprize has been awarded if this scenario plays out. A lot of cultural grants will not be paid out because the power to make decisions about them are not there anymore. Who, to get them? How much? and so on. And since it is a fund the government cant go in and establish order. It isn't private either so the solution, if there is one, must come from the 13 remaining. The simplest, if its possible i dont know, should be to adjust the statutes to a modern world (after all they were written by Gustav III in ca 1790). Not elect for life but instead until you, because of high age or cooperation difficulties choose not to be a part of the institution. Then they can elect 5 new people and be 18 again.

I don't know what to say about this - but I did look up all the Nobel prize winners for literature and was pleased to see a Canadian won in 2013 - Alice Munro.

I think your final suggestion would be the best way to handle the situation.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...no surprise, that scandal never recognizes a city, state or country's borders.....I hope they can get it intelligently sorted out Kurb, a black-eye like this does no one any favors.....

 

[Spideyman]

Don't know if this is the right place for this or not but here goes. Today three people from The Swedish Academy left their work in protest against a decision concerning their involvement and degree of guilt in a person accused of sexual harassment. That person is married to a member of the Academy and has received money, grants and unlawful privileges to his ties with the academy. For the academy to work its statutes demand that at a minimum 12 people are involved or it loses its right to make decisions and in practicality cease to function. It has 18 members elected, also according to the statutes, for life. Earlier members had resigned in the wake of the Rushdie affair. They are still living so are technically members though they dont do any work. Today three more chose to withdraw because of the scandal and how, in their view, the academy has put personal friendships before both personal integrity and the academys integrity and rules and they say they cant support or be a part of an institution that acts in that way. Now its down to 13 working members and if one more decide to leave it might be the end. if two more goes it is definitely the end. Then they cant make decisions. The last Nobelprize has been awarded if this scenario plays out. A lot of cultural grants will not be paid out because the power to make decisions about them are not there anymore. Who, to get them? How much? and so on. And since it is a fund the government cant go in and establish order. It isn't private either so the solution, if there is one, must come from the 13 remaining. The simplest, if its possible i dont know, should be to adjust the statutes to a modern world (after all they were written by Gustav III in ca 1790). Not elect for life but instead until you, because of high age or cooperation difficulties choose not to be a part of the institution. Then they can elect 5 new people and be 18 again.

That would by logic seem the best solution.

 

[doowopgirl]

Don't know if this is the right place for this or not but here goes. Today three people from The Swedish Academy left their work in protest against a decision concerning their involvement and degree of guilt in a person accused of sexual harassment. That person is married to a member of the Academy and has received money, grants and unlawful privileges to his ties with the academy. For the academy to work its statutes demand that at a minimum 12 people are involved or it loses its right to make decisions and in practicality cease to function. It has 18 members elected, also according to the statutes, for life. Earlier members had resigned in the wake of the Rushdie affair. They are still living so are technically members though they dont do any work. Today three more chose to withdraw because of the scandal and how, in their view, the academy has put personal friendships before both personal integrity and the academys integrity and rules and they say they cant support or be a part of an institution that acts in that way. Now its down to 13 working members and if one more decide to leave it might be the end. if two more goes it is definitely the end. Then they cant make decisions. The last Nobelprize has been awarded if this scenario plays out. A lot of cultural grants will not be paid out because the power to make decisions about them are not there anymore. Who, to get them? How much? and so on. And since it is a fund the government cant go in and establish order. It isn't private either so the solution, if there is one, must come from the 13 remaining. The simplest, if its possible i dont know, should be to adjust the statutes to a modern world (after all they were written by Gustav III in ca 1790). Not elect for life but instead until you, because of high age or cooperation difficulties choose not to be a part of the institution. Then they can elect 5 new people and be 18 again.

i agree with neesy's idea.

 

[Neesy]

i agree with neesy's idea.

Well yeah - I just agreed with Kurben but I get your drift

 

[Arkay Lynchpin]

What is it with the Swedes and their [meat]balls?

 

[Kurben]

Its just gets sadder and sadder. Now some of the remaining members in the academy are starting to throw personal attacks on the other fraction, both these that have left and the ones that decided, after consideration, to remain. How the swedish academy ever is gonna get credibility, respect and purpose again is beyond me. They act like 10-year olds and is perhaps being kind to the grownups in comparison.
Even the King (he is after all the protector of the academy though he has nothing to do with its work) has stepped in and asked several members to a meeting. Something that hasnt happened before in over 200 years existence. Without a doubt the biggest crisis ever for the academy.

 

[Kurben]

Two more has left and one is still thinking about it. I'm ashamed for their sakes. They have vowed, when entering the academy. to upheld the academys honor, dignity and act in good taste. Instead they have, in just a few days totally destroyed everything the academy is supposed to stand for. Even if they go on giving out nobelprizes who will care? Their credibility is down to zero. And thats just one of the literary grants they give out. They support many authors and cultural stages with money. I think a radical solution is necessary. Throw all of the old members out!! Elect 18 new ones and change the rules slightly so they are not elected for life but can resign if they want to for some reason. Right now only 11 members are active which means they cant elect a new member if someone dies. 12 members must, according to the statutes, vote to elect a new member. So if they not change that rule it will slowly die out otherwise. So much for traditions and the all changes are bad changes thinking that has been nesting inside their brains.