Is this a worthy ‘tradition’?

IS the accepted insensitive, demeaning and coarse mailroom training (“Boot Camp -- Hollywood Style,” by Patrick Goldstein, Feb. 18) for future “talent” agents the reason for the increasingly insensitive, demeaning and coarse movies and TV programs?

John Holmstrom

Hollywood

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ANYONE who tolerates or dishes out abusive behavior is mentally ill -- period. Don’t tell me that it’s a “badge of honor.” In the 18 years I have lived in Los Angeles, it has always been a source of wonderment that so many people who work in “entertainment” -- an industry that brings us musicals and Oscar-winning performances -- seem so miserable, unhappy and sadistic.

Dee Long

Van Nuys

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AS a producer, executive and lawyer observing the culture and personalities of the entertainment industry for 27 years, I still remain unsure whether the mailroom “tradition” of needless humiliation and disrespect speaks more to the personality of the supervisor or the subordinate. On reflection, however, it ultimately seems to make little difference, since the goal of the latter is to become the former, and thus, to perpetuate the process.

David R. Ginsburg

Santa Monica