Hi all
First I would like to say on the theme of the quality of exchange on this
group and when criticism becomes disparaging that being referred to as a
knocker and told that this is no good I find disparaging. If this is a
research discussion group then difference should not be disparaged but
encouraged. This remark makes this reply difficult and hard to make but I
will.
I am a fan of this discussion group and Sandra's efforts with Intercom. The
spirit of individually created, global networks is something the web can do
well for our world.
I wish to 'knock' the involvement of organisations in this process. I am
sure there intentions are benign and supportive. I am also aware from
critical social theory that organisations seek to control and possess. Once
there is territory to hold there is difference to defend rather than open
debate to be had. With outres we have already had one round in which an
organisation sort to tell us what we should and should not discuss so this
is not far away. The same has happened with Intercom. We already operate in
two ways that can be liberating and so a focus for institutions to control -
the outdoors and the web. There are choices here that matter to the quality
of our discussion. At the least our bodies want us to belong as members. We
do not need to belong to - all we need to do is join in. This is very
different and this difference is precious. And of course we can choose to
belong too but as individuals.
I raise this because it is an issue in our work too. Those who know my
writing will know that I am concerned about the alignment of institutions
with outdoor adventure, with the construction of good citizens instead of
the development of creative intelligence.
We already struggle on this list with several 'tyrannies':
- the tyranny of those who can respond quickly in discussion;
- the tyranny of the English language;
- the tyranny of the male hegemony that frustrates the men as much as the
women but exists on this list.
I am guilty of at least 2 of these and working with them is a big enough
task.
If you want me to be a doer then do avoid paths that constrain the
discussion and tyrannise it further, do take paths that keep this a location
for creative discussion, do let others know about Intercom and outres, do
find ways to encourage this that avoid champions and sponsors, do disagree
with me on this lis, do 'parage' (if there is such a word!) and not
disparage.
Regards
'Tommy' knocker Chris
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