Dear Friends,
My apologies. I sent a note to to the list by mistake concerning our
efforts to slowly expand the PhD Design community that began in Ohio
and La Clusaz and continues on this list. Some of you know that I
undertake an outreach campaign every fall, and I appreciated the kind
thoughts that came in from Jane Cookery. Meant to send it to one
colleague with whom I share the development effort.
Having sent it, I will say that I welcome efforts to expand the list.
In a field as large as ours, a list with 612 members represents a
very small segment of the population. In many fields, I observe that
rich lists have a critical mass that sustains conversation and flow.
Admittedly, the terrible events in the world have things running
quiet on all scholarly lists, but things are up and down more than
they should be on our list due to the lack of critical mass. I was
startled that the request for thoughts on list tone sent the list
quiet rather than generating more activity.
Two of the great presentations of recent years for developing a
culture of design research were the paper that Klaus Krippendorff
gave in Ohio on building a field and the paper that Tore Kristensen
gave in Helsinki where he addressed the important concept of a
progressive research program.
A list such as this offers opportunities that would not have been
possible to our field only a generation ago. The value and the
importance of dialogue, across nations, across cultures, among
research traditions, among fields, cannot be underestimated. I do not
think it necessary for everyone to agree with everyone else to
reflect and interact fruitfully.
At this sorrowful moment in history, the interaction of human beings
who share common goals and interests despite different approaches is
more important than ever.
This year's fall circulation growth campaign had just come to an end
when the events of September 11 took place. I had intended to send
Jane Cookery's letter to one colleague rather than to the list. I owe
Jane an apology for publishing her thoughts by mistake, and I
apologize to you all for having done so.
I'm not apologetic for my belief in the value of communication and
scholarship, and I don't apologize for hoping that what we can share
and build together can make a small but valued contribution to a
better world.
I hope that in the days to come, we will return to our former lively
conversations.
Best regards,
Ken Friedman
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