Although I have been very busy and therefore silent for a few months I wanted
to just make a comment about private/public communications. Private
communications within a framework of public discussion are fraught with the
appearance of secrecy and therefore support a sense of in-groups and
out-groups, which in turn supports a very real impression of defacto power. A
discussion can be open handed, with participants knowing what they have to say
is their responsibility and up for discussion in the public arena, or
communications can be stratified and segmented into a semblance of class
distinctions representative of a belief in greater and lesser cognitive
abilities or special privileges.
There is also the issue of control and agendas. When some communication is
underground then lack of visibility becomes fraught with potential for
misinterpretation.
I would suggest that there be a commitment to keep things public.
Jan
Jan Coker
C3-10 Underdale Campus
University of South Australia
+61 8 8302 6919
"Everywhere the signs multiply that the earth's peoples yearn for an end to
conflict and to the suffering and ruin from which no land is any longer immune.
These rising impluses for change must be seized upon and channeled into
overcoming the remaining barriers that block realization of the age-old dream
of global peace. The effort of will required for such a task cannot be summoned
up merely by appeals for action against the countless ills afflicting society.
It must be galvanized by a vision of human porsperity in the fullest sense of
the term - an awakening to the possibilities of the spiritual and material
well-being now brought within grasp. Its beneficiaries must be all of the
planet's inhabitants, without distinction, without the imposition of conditions
unrelated to the fundamental goals of such a reorganization of human affairs."
from The Prosperity of Humankind Baha'i International Office
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Friedman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, 12 August 2003 8:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Thanks, Jonas
Dear Jonas,
Thank you for your private note, and thanks for your post to the
list. I appreciate your comments and accept your apology.
After reading the exchange, my dog Jacob wants to contest one minor
comment in your earlier post. You wrote that I lack humor and
self-irony. Jacob says this is not entirely true. He says that I am
one of the funniest people he knows. Nevertheless, he agrees that I
lack self-irony.
Warm wishes,
Ken
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