I think that the suggestion to look at the process of the list is a good
one. Here are my own thoughts, for what they are worth.
I have been a subscriber to the list for sometime now but only occasionally
have contributed. I read most of the e-mails sent and in general terms
find them extremely interesting and useful. I do wonder why I don't
contribute much given that I am heavily involved in research in counselling
and pychotherapy and am not usually hesitant in putting forward a point of
view!
I do feel sometimes that the list can be a somewhat exclusive 'club'.
There are regular contributers that attract much response and comment -
their names seem to have a 'currency' on the list. The times that I have
made some input the response his been limited, or sometimes nothing at all.
Now I know I might well be projecting onto the list all sorts of
insecurities here, but having acknowledged that I also feel that the
discussions can be a little excluding on occasions. I end up feeling that
I am witness to a private converstation - you know, the feeling of walking
into a room and suddenly feeling that you have interrupted something... or
maybe that is just me?
I would suggest that given the volume of mail generated by the list that
those posts that are one-liners, offering thanks for information or not
furthering the discussion might more usefully be sent off-list? Given the
large number of people that are current subscribers to the list there must
be reasons why relatively so few actively contribute.
These are my own opinions and are not intended to rubbish any previous
contributions. I do feel that this is a valuable and informative list. I
would hope that we could work towards allowing it to feel more accessible
and less excluding and continue to encourage new debate and points of view.
Andrew
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