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Dear forumers



At risk of being controversial, could I make a plea for a more considered and judicious use of this forum? From a personal perspective, I feel that its value is diminishing as more and more subjective views and opinions are posted. I already subscribe to Greenpeace, FOE, Avaaz, etc, etc, and feel quite well informed of issues, campaigns and causes. I feel certain that other forumers also stay well abreast of our dire situation and the processes of social disruption and unravelling that we are living through. So I would like to suggest that this forum is not the place for constant reiteration of concerns that we all share.

  

When I joined as an independent and unaffiliated researcher/educator/activist, I was surprised, pleased and somewhat humbled to be accepted into the fold of what seems to me to be an unusually inclusive academic list-serve. I had looked in depth at the Crisis Forum website and was impressed both by the mission of the forum - the Study of Crisis in the 21st Century ­ and, in googling members and watching past workshop videos, the wide range of academic knowledge and experience involved. Personally I have found the forum invaluable in providing me access to wisdom, experience and informed debate that I could not easily find elsewhere.



The CF website <http://www.crisis-forum.org.uk/about_us/> gives one of its founding objectives as being to act ³as a magnet for academics or independent researchers from any discipline who want to analyse the nature of crisis (from whatever perspective) and seek lateral but holistic remedies for it². (My emphasis). I have been guilty in the past of posting messages to the forum that do not further that aim but instead satisfy my own need to feel that I have a voice! Over time I have realised that if I abuse my access by Œspamming¹ in this way many of those whose input I have valued quite rightly lose patience and no longer participate.



My plea is therefore to make sure when posting to keep the above objective in mind. There are many other outlets for venting personal opinions and concerns. This is an academic forum that is very rare in its inclusive and open nature and I feel privileged to belong. It is made freely available to us by the unsung and overstretched good graces of its founding members. But I suspect that its future is in the balance if I and others do not use it appropriately and constructively.



Very best to all for a fulfilling New Year and here's hoping the CF community flourishes into the future!

Jon           



On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 11:49 PM, KEVIN COLEMAN <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hello All,
I know we are supposed to discuss stuff of a critical nature but talking won't stop the problem. Neither will the extreme solutions touted as 'The silver bullet' cure alls and fix alls.  
So for Christmas; for these people, just watch the clip and sign the petition and get one of the biggest culprit nations on Earth to take Climate Change seriously enough to stop the polluting carbon emissions. No ifs or buts or maybe later. Now! These people are like billions of other people on Planet Earth. They are being taken for a ride by the same corporations as the rest of us. Its time for us to work together at a level that we can all do our bit. If that means simply signing a petition to get change the nthat is what we should do.
Regards
Kev C

PS I am Pagan. Have a Cool Yule!

https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/455/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=12043