I do not like people hurting each other straight ahead or in escalating
spirals. And up to now I have been reading the exchanges through this
list with a certain pleasure of looking out through a window, which I
had refused to look through too much because of the (imagined) danger of
going blind - and then there are thoughts lingering outside of that
window which make me think. So I like the list as a means to look
without going blind. And every now and then I write a note, which gets
distributed through the list. The same was true for the exchange in this
list on what Philip and Peter put up in the context of ZKM.
I feel that the level of exchange is now reaching a level, which is such
a spiral of reciprocal "hurtings". I certainly do understand why and how
this happens. But there is a very simple truth that I think applies to
all of us: We cannot (should not?) expect from someone to understand,
what we know they cannot understand. The only way we may change the
capacity of the other to understand is through changing our own approach
(words, manner, thoughts, actions etc.). And I have so far seen the
potential to reach such a change only in very personal exchanges, one on
one in letters, and in face to face meetings. Fora as market places do
never ever help.
I am aware that I can sign off the list. So this is my (hopefully,
Johannes) last note on this string of exchanges, which has been very
interesting to me. Thank you and Bon voyage. Until we meet again, in
this space or that space or this place and that place (and I do love to
meet in person - please do come by!).
Johannes
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