I wish to personally thank everyone who has posted on this board regarding the tragedy in New York City. Though we disagree it extremely worthwhile on many different levels. In not necessarily the correct order: 1) The education we receive in the give and take and shared links on this board is in many ways better than a graduate seminar on the issues. 2) Because we are a cross section of Houston and the World exceeding the contacts of even the most cosmopolitan individual members we get a perspective that cannot be attained in the classroom or even by extensive exposure to varied media. 3) The range of emotional reactions exceeds that permitted in the classroom or practically any other forum. This can be frustrating or even intimidating, but it deepens the knowledge gained. 4) It allows us to work out our own emotional issues, grief, anger etc. with regards to these important issues. I guess I should have not have been so surprised at this given the unbelievable power to cover the Roackets, the love of which has brough us all together. Enough of this mushy stuff, let the ideological battle resume
Agreed Pole Glynch, I often feel initial disgust upon reading your words, but I found that once I relax, you often present a few very important perspectives. Without visual communication cues, a BBS can create some difficulties communication. The converse is that it also allows a moment of contemplation, and 're-listening', before responding. This board is surprisingly articulate. Also, I relish the global perspective from our Rocket fan cohorts around the world. It is particularly important to listen to our friends from Arab and Muslim countries right now (although it seems that they have been quiet lately). Good post.
I don't agree with your views, or what you did in ducking the draft. Howver, I do read them, and believe you have the right to feel as you do. Just different people with varying views. DaDakota
To correct the record, I never said I went to Canada. I "evaded" the draft through a bit of deception which gave me an extra semester of deferment. I also followed my religious beliefs and applied to be a conscientious objector. Just before my case was to be heard, the draft ended. I'm proud I followed my conscience. I along with hundreds of thousands of other American marched in deonstrations against the war.
I disagree with some of your points (1 & 3, I guess), but I won't insult you or anything. I dont really see how, in general, a big b****fest is conducive to intellectual growth or interpersonal understanding. I further think that it inhibits true discourse. If many of these threads were converted to a seminar format, there would be actual yelling at each other (unless you factor in the possibility of people over acting because this is not face to face, in which case they are useless -- from a discourse stance -- anyway). Seminar decorum, either self-imposed or prof imposed, is there for a reason...to better facilitate true discourse, understanding, and learning. Without this factor, nihilism would prevail among those wanting to learn.
Rimbaud I sort of see your points with regard to #1 and #3. Perhaps I'm just burned out on school courses whose content and mode of interpersoanal interaction are often dictated by careerist needs.
Have you seen Ali lately? I think DaDakota would be safe. Just make sure Ali's daughter isn't around though.
Well stated all of you. I disagree with the disagreement (is that possible?) on #1 & #3. Those are both accurate assessments in my view, Communication by any means is always a step forward in any issue,especially one as rift with emotion as the present one in topic. Education researchers has known for decades that learning and the method why which you learn are closely related. All those studies that indicate that the prettiest girl (or the handsomest boy), the best dressed, or the most homogenous culture in a classroom receive added attention. The vocalization in classroom communication, whether teacher selection or by classmates attention is also usually left to this very same group. In a medium with benign identification of participants ... the views are displayed .... and the ardent attention of the reader and persuasiveness of the communication by the poster takes precedent. As stated ... communication by any means is always a step forward. Effective communication without the trappings and biases of stereotypying lends itself to a clearer understanding of any subject.
Pops, Shut up, I hate you, you suck! Seriously, though. Effective communication without the trappings and biases of stereotypying lends itself to a clearer understanding of any subject. That is what I am saying does not always happen in certain "b**** fests" on this board. There lies the problem, along with a few other issues. I am not saying that a forum such as this cannot be good, just that it is not good when things deteriorate...when tags get put on peolpe, insults are wielded liberally (uh, oh...I used that word), etc. Communication by any means is always a step forward in any issue,especially one as rift with emotion as the present one in topic. Emotion is good, but can quickly turn counter-productive if it turns the discussion into insults, stereotypes, and humiliation. Education researchers has known for decades that learning and the method why which you learn are closely related. All those studies that indicate that the prettiest girl (or the handsomest boy), the best dressed, or the most homogenous culture in a classroom receive added attention. The vocalization in classroom communication, whether teacher selection or by classmates attention is also usually left to this very same group. I am not sure I follow this...would you mind explaining both it and your intent for including it? I guess this is not really a disagreement with glynch as much as it is an ammendment (for me) to his 1 and 3. Is that better?
What he means Rimbaud, is that in real life, pretty people such as myself have it easy. But in a setting such as this...where no one knows how devastatingly handsome I am...we're all on a level playing field.
Glynch, Sometimes I think that you are more disliked than me! But, I think like me you wear your heart on your sleeve sometimes--it's only completely different from me. Seriously, good post.
