(some reflections)
Dear all,
I rarely post to this list – I prefer to lurk, read, learn and make notes
for things to look up and read into later. This does not mean I am without
opinions, of course. Rather it is a reflection of many complex things,
including the the time I choose to devote to this activity among the many
others I am engaged in...
I receive this list as a digest, rather than as individual posts, and this
gives me the opportunity to take a break at some point when I am able and
peruse the day's conversations and offerings. The long and the short posts
are all of value to me. As is their diversity. Though I don't often get to
read them all (whatever their length), I always learn something related to
content, tone, evolving qualities of engagement in an ongoing conversation,
etc. which is why this list remains important to me. I may sometimes be
surprised at the charged nature of conversations, but I learn from that
too. and when a de-sophistication of argument follows, I take heart from
the fact that people feel strongly, and even the most senior among us are
human. Such conversations remind me that there is space here for my
humanity, and for those less senior among us to contribute as we learn and
grow. They help me to see how different qualities of contribution may or
may not take a discussion forward, and help me to reflect on the qualities
and impacts of my own choices of language and tone.
When Terry made his farewell post, I was surprised to be mentioned by name.
I had posted one comment to the conversation, not more (my second comment
ever posted to this list if I'm not mistaken). In it I pointed to a
manifesto that offered a strong contrast to Terry's stance. I was very
careful to make my post as succinct as possible and to not state whether
the view was one I shared, because it was not intended as a slinging match.
I only stated that I felt the manifesto raised relevant points that might
enrich (and perhaps enlarge) people's thinking on the matter in question.
Was my comment such that it cut Terry or others down? No, I don't believe
so. Was it received that way? I certainly hope not. I believe one should be
able to posit strong views that might contrast powerfully with other
discussants opinions, so long as one does so without personal attack. If we
do not have spirited conversations within this list sometimes, I might ask
why it exists... I have never been interested in sitting around and
agreeing with everyone. In such a scenario, how can one truly evolve?
Many people lurk on this list. Many people give up on it because it is not
to their taste. Many people stay. We all have freedom of choice. I might
suggest that we also have a responsibility for the qualities of the
communities we engage in. While all I have done here is state my opinion
and describe some experiences, I have done so with the desire to somehow
contribute to and enrich the conversation and in some small way, the
community. I hope I have succeeded.
Best regards
Danielle
--
Associate Professor of Research.
University of Southern Denmark, Kolding
www.daniellewilde.com
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