I have been watching the MMD from a distance since last summer and for
the most part find it interesting.  I have not written a "Bio" as yet so
here goes.

I am a 42-year-old husband and father of four from St. Louis, MO.  Talk
about a "techno-nerd": I  have read and collected Popular Mechanics
Magazines since the age of 10 years old.  This collection of now over
1,500 monthly issues and other Popular Mechanics published books is one
of the reasons I am such a mechanical music "nut" today.  Though there
have been painfully few articles relating directly to mechanical music in
the issues of my collection, I have translated and applied many of the
things learned within them into mechanical music construction and
restorations.  I think using *gears*.

I have been a member of the MBSI since 1979 and authored my first article
for the MBSI Journal in 1981.  Since then I have written enough for the
MBSI to be considered a contributing editor.

I for one am not so pompous as to consider myself an expert in everything.
I believe in free and open exchange of ideas.  If you don't like the
idea(s) I put forth in my writings I invite you to write your own article
on the subject and in it prove *my idea* wrong!  I am bothered by people
who spout *their* ideas and cannot tolerate the ideas of others.  From
what I have seen on the MMD, you have done a fine job of saying "enough
is enough, let's get on with it," without censorship.

I, like others, am here reading and when necessary I respond to MMD
members one-on-one.  Thanks for letting me be included.

Gary Stevenson

 [ Editors note:
 [
 [ Thanks for writing your views, Gary.  The tough part of my job is
 [ deciding when to say "Enough is enough," when the writers are
 [ engaged in the philosophical battle-arena, but the onlookers are
 [ becoming weary of it all.
 [
 [ One result is that we have given favor to articles telling about
 [ "hands-on" techniques, and weighty theoretical dissertations have been
 [ moved to side discussion groups.  It seems that there is more light
 [ and less smoke, and hence better enjoyment among our readers, when
 [ the topic is about real machines instead of abstractions like physics
 [ theory.  (Isn't that similar to Popular Mechanics?  ;-)
 [
 [ Anyway, do write sometime about your interests.  We are always
 [ interested in music box articles, too.
 [
 [ Robbie Rhodes