An Open Letter to Julie Piering, at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Hi Julie,

I just read your article on Diogenes of Sinope at the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and I just wanted to say thank you. I knew little to nothing of Diogenes before reading your article, and now I feel like I’ve got a decent idea.

So…just wanted to say thanks 🙂

I’m usually a Wikipedia person, and it’s too hard to figure out who to say thank you to on there. As I was reading your article, I forgot that I was reading something in an encylopedia. I became deeply engaged with the stories you recounted of Diogenes, and appreciated your take on why certain philosophers look down on Diogenes with scorn and why they really shouldn’t.

It felt balanced between what we “know” of Diogenes and what we’ve “heard,” and it left the door open for your reader to continue their exploration of Diogenes’ life and thought. It felt summative while also inspiring a feeling of deeper curiosity.

As I got to the bottom of the article, I kept scrolling, not realizing that I’d come to the end, and there, at the bottom of the page, was your name.

I don’t know anything about you. I haven’t Googled you. And I’m not about to send you a personal email, because that would be creepy.

So instead I’m going to do this. I’m going to write you an email and post it as an open letter, because more people should know of your good work.

Thanks again.