[Reader-list] On critical integrity of the list

[Monica Narula]

Dear Readers,

We have received complaints from several people on the list about 
what seems to be a tendency on Philip Pocock's part to pick on 
individuals for personal attack.

We are all distressed by the events of the last week, and the anger, 
sorrow and foreboding that has been expressed by members of the list 
is symptomatic of that. It is unfortunate that this is becoming an 
occasion for some of us
to hang out our personal peeves and impose ourselves on to the list 
at large. It is important to be categorical in pointing out different 
trends in a discussion, but personalised dismissal only shuts 
discussion down.

I think that it would be best to take the level of discussion on to a 
deeper level than simply accusing each other of being intolerant 
(especially in the name of tolerance and harmony).

We have noted, in particular, a tendency on Philip's part to cast 
aspersions on the characters or sensibilities of fellow list members. 
If he (or anyone) has a disagreement with a position, then he/she has 
every right to state that disagreement, but statements that say 
"outdated" or "psychopathic" do nothing to raise the standard of 
debate on the list, nor  posting material that has been already 
posted on to the list...

Let us not allow this flurry of postings to degenerate into a flame 
war that satisfies none of the purposes of the list. We have kept 
this list un-moderated, and this means that we all have a 
responsibility to ensure that disagreement does not become 
disagreeable. It is all our responsibility to keep the critical 
integrity of the list alive.

As list administrator, I feel I have the responsibility  to make the 
displeasure of many (which has also been communicated to me) known to 
Philip. I would also urge others on the list not to be provoked by 
this to counter flame. That servers no purpose either, and it clearly 
feeds the problem.

I think that everyone who has been upset by Philip's postings should 
realise that his views are his alone, and that by the sheer volume of 
postings he sometimes makes, they do not represent in anyway what 
people are thinking and
feeling on this list.

I would also urge the many silent voices to speak up, perhaps there 
are other perspectives, even news or ideas of other things that are 
not getting heard in the din of the debris of the events of last 
week. Of course we will continue to discuss what we are thinking and 
feeling about what is going on in the world as a result of the events 
of September 11, but let us do so as with sanity and without flaming 
each other.

Thankyou for all your attention

Monica Narula
List Administrator
-- 
Monica Narula
Sarai:The New Media Initiative
29 Rajpur Road, Delhi 110 054
www.sarai.net