I was not the most attractive child. I had two really big buck teeth. I was horrendous - long, lanky and gangly.
I am certainly not arguing for the de facto autonomy of the individual work, even though there is much to be said for making the attempt to see it in that light as one facet of the reception process.
As a reporter, I approach every situation knowing that everyone has his or her own agenda. It's not a bad thing; it's just a fact.