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An interesting point that raises the fundamental issue of 'what is a list
such as this for?' Over the years I have heard many postgraduate students
remark upon the possible isolating effects of doing research at postgraduate
level AND of the importance of peer support groups. If this list is one such
peer support group then surely a request for reading around a topic is valid
on several levels: first, it is an important academic exercise to discuss
the usefulness and availablity of other research in your own areas; second,
it is an easy way to generate discussion among your peers, particularly for
newer postgraduates who are often less sure of themselves; third it
(re)produces notions of sharing, community and support - research on elists
suggests that elist communities can generate higher levels of social
capital; fourth, not all postgraduate researchers have the luxury of being
close to their university campus at all times and having contact with their
local/departmental peers.
I have myself been running an anthropology list for several years (since
1999 I think). In the beginning it was unmoderated but after several 'odd'
postings I now moderate it. As I have got to know people on the list better
over time I give them the right to post unmoderated and it works. My worry
in moderating has always been that it can be too prescriptive, and of course
I am the one wielding the power (it makes me feel like a petty dictator!).
Interesting discussion - please let's have some more views.
Denise
> Recently this list has begun broadcasting emails that are of the general
> form "Hey, can anyone suggest readings on [insert topic here]?"
>
> While I think that asking this sort of question of friends and colleagues
> can be very useful when one is entering a new field of study which one is
> unfamiliar with, it also seems, especially considering the time of year
> when they are arriving, to be a way for students with pressing essay
> deadlines to farm out their library research to the list. This is a
> problem that has taken over and even crippled other anthropology
> listservs, so I wonder:
>
> a)Is there a moderator on the list who could keep an eye out for such
> abuse?
>
> and,
>
> b)Would it make sense for AM, if it feels that there is some value in
> people posting and answering such emails, to set up a separate listserv
> for that purpose. That could keep this listserv from simply becoming a
> reference service.
>
> I hope this email does not cause undo annoyance to anyone.
>
> Thank You,
>
> -David Leitner
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