[Reader-list] Lists and assaults

[Gargi Sen]

Dear All,
I am shifting the threads of conversation into another that began with the
post below, a conversation I was very interested and want to participate in
but couldn¹t being engaged elsewhere. I am going to write at length sometime
but right now, re-reading Naeem¹s post of last evening, I am delighted to
see another picture: Naeem¹s anxiety about Indo-centric nature of recent
debate and Kirdar¹s annoyance with Shuddha¹s thoughts, job and position, and
how these two ­ anxiety and annoyance merely - also relate to Rana¹s
reflective thread on reader-list as a site and practice of debate.

Lest it is misunderstood, I am in no way implying that Naeem¹s anxiety is
not genuine. I agree with him in most scores, especially when he evokes one
my favourite inspirations, Rokeya Begum. My simple point though is that does
such a list ­ or engagement in a space of this nature - allow us to talk
without anxieties and the boundaries of us-and-them that that anxiety
normally draws? As far as Shuddha the toilet clear - tome reader is
concerned, I am not here to defend either his thoughts or searches - I am
normally delighted with the complex and intricate pictures he draws whether
I agree with them or not ­ but I can¹t but wonder in a virtual space of
thoughts how does it matter which physical space he is writing from, whether
it is Istanbul or Punjabi Bagh or even when he is cheerfully whistling while
cleaning latrines.

Both these, the anxieties and annoyance, gave me some insight into the inner
depths of the reflective thread that Rana began. But more on that later when
I can pull myself away from the duel-of-wit with he ARKP+VD lot and my other
endless but real responsibilities.

I can¹t resist signing off with copy-pasting the monotonous mantra of global
capital: have a good day (even while you are being utterly and completely
screwed, emotionally, politically, spiritually and monetarily in your daily
life.)

So, dear all: have a good day.
Gargi

On 9/8/07 5:00 PM, "Rana Dasgupta" <rana at ranadasgupta.com> wrote:

> It's been an interesting few weeks on this list.  Some might say "We've never
> had it so good" - since there have been far more posts, with far more
> responses, than usual. Others might feel that this has been the Reader-list's
> lowest ever point - its usual solemn tone and good opinions giving way to a
> running sit-com of ad feminam assaults. Given the seriousness of some of the
> issues at stake, and the enormous gulfs of understanding between some of the
> contributors, I have to say I've admired the restraint of many of the writers
> on the list.  People have held themselves back from expressing outright
> disgust, or from violent attacks. It seems that there's a sense that one can't
> say just anything.  Or if one did, it would erode the fabric of the list.
> People have to balance their own irritation or repugnance with a desire to
> uphold the hospitality and vitality of the list. I think this says something
> very positive about the culture of a list.
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