Dear List members,
Interesting to see the current debate about politeness, respect, the
sharing of a common project etc. appearing on the forum. Not before
time I am sure. I empathise fully with Jenny's posting from this
morning concerning responses received after posting on the list. For
me, a *new to the game* geographer, it seems that this is the standard
style of *communication* on the forum and has, indeed, been that which I
have generally adopted when posting. I am sure many of us have suffered
the pain of unpleasant responses from our peers.
I think all of this raises questions regarding what it is that the
critical geography forum actually is - rather than what it (or the
current/past listowners) claim that it is. Perhaps it is both the
vehicle for serious critical debate and coordination as well as a
shouting-shop for those so inclined - certainly we cannot afford to
silence those with a lot to say, nor even those with a lot of offensive
drivel that they feel needs sharing with the wider community (rare as
this is). I think there is plenty of room for all of these voices -
surely the community can police itself ??
In response to Jo Sharp, not entirely sure that the trend in anonymous
emails is all bad and can only recall one such incident that was
abusive. Certainly, anyone that feels they need to hide under a cloak
of anonymity to make their opinions heard is perhaps misunderstanding
how the forum is *supposed* to work. But, why do they feel they need to
do this anyway ? Most members who do engage in abusive exchanges seem
more than happy to do so under their own names (and should be applauded
as such - perhaps very quietly though).
Just a couple of thoughts
Good wishes to you all
Dan
PS Not so sure about this common project thing.
--------------------------------------
Dan Knox
Research Postgraduate
Department of Geography
University of Durham
DURHAM
DH1 3LE
0191 374 2472
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|