Because of the e-mail lists I know what books are published and how to get
them.
I know what readings are happening (what I'm missing).
I can tell people about my own publications, including any web work I've
done (like http://partlyinriga.wikispaces.com - visit often). Maybe blogs
and wikis exist becasue of the lists, not despite them. What do you think
Edmund - how important was the list to starting up your blog?)
I can try to get people to come to readings.
I can advertise my magazine to the type of people who migth be interested
and ask for contributions.
I get reports of conferences and readings (sometimes)
Lively informed entertaining debate is as hard to come by in the average
dinner party or drink with friends as it is on the list.
Lively informed entertaining debate is very difficult through a medium which
has all the apparent immediacy of speech and all the inherited pomposity of
writing.
i still get more lively, informed and entertaining debate on the lists than
i did before the lists came into being.
I don't not go to see my friends to talk about avant garde art and sit at
home and wait in case something comes up on the list. I'm pleased if
something happens (Melissa's bit on Robertson is a good example, or Alison's
theatre blog - I probably won't contact either but i appreciate both).
the utopian promise of the internet - it's let us all down
Going to do some work now
love to all
Ian
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