Dear Ken and Listers,
I started lurking this list sometime around 2006 and I guess I now fall into the early career researcher category. Here are a few thoughts on the four questions.
1) Is list culture harsh and discouraging?
I haven't found the list culture discouraging. I have found the opposite to be true. First, I think participating in the list has encouraged me to improve my writing and critical thinking skills. The manner of the discussions has probably helped me become more conscious of the value of precise referencing, careful use of evidence, and reasoned argumentation. Second, the topics of discussion have helped me to better understand the core of body of knowledge about design.
2) Are list debates so intimidating that they discourage people from posting on any topic? Do some people value the debates even though they may not themselves wish to post?
IIRC when I first started lurking here I think I found some of the more robust debates more intimidating. Of course the better debates have been those that seem more like a sincere quest for truth rather than winning at any cost. I agree with Filippo that we need to remember the principle of charity in argumentation, and also to take care to list points of agreement and things we have learned from our interlocutors before launching into rebuttal or criticism.
3) Should those who post carefully argued, carefully reference posts stop? Is this killing the conversation and damaging the list?
It is rare in discussions that everything is clear to everybody, the need for interpretation is the rule. I value carefully referenced posts because I find that it is easier to understand others' points of view when I can read the particular passages they cite and so judge the merit of their interpretations for myself. I try to provide precise references in my posts as I hope this practice will enable my interlocutors to better criticize my arguments or to find common ground.
4) Should grumpy old (male) professors stop debating on the PhD-Design list? Is it time for older males to leave the conversation to younger folks? Apart from something friendly and wise from time to time, is it time for older males to save our disagreements and debates for another forum?
I think the debates are part of what make this list unique. But it is also possible to change aspects of the list without completely losing its character(s). For example, before the footer became automatically added to the posts, there would often be posts about how to unsubscribe. The footer is a small improvement but a real improvement nonetheless.
Best,
Luke
Luke Feast, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher in Design
Aalto yliopisto / Aalto University
Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Muotoilun laitos / Department of design
Helsinki, Finland
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