Hello from the mailing list

[wisecj@mozart.inet.co.th (Jay Ro]

A short response from a lurker to Bob writing us:

>I am starting to get queries about why things are so quiet on this list.
>The list, to the best of my knowledge is not broken. There has, however,
>been a significant lack of activity.

Is this not like many systems around us which flow and ebb? Has
end of first quarter activity gotten people tied up? Are there
other external factors effecting this system?

Also, why are the queries - is this list broken? why is it so
quiet around here? sent to the list owner?

Why not a statement or question about the system/the dynamics of
it/ sent to the list? Seems a perfect place for such a
discourse. Or are the majority of us just lurkers?

>An alternative explanation would be that the policy of asking people to
>direct answers to the senders of messages rather than the whole list
>tends to terminate conversations early. I would like to hear from everyone

Actually, I think this is a judgement call. Some answers may be
most appropriately directed to the asker. If this is so, then a
summary to the list would be appreciated.

In my short experience with lists - By sending most, if not all,
answers to the list will encourage dialogue between the
members. But then isnt that like most systems that we work with
or have I been involved in participatory development too long?


Cheers

Jay



Jay Wisecarver, REDD BARNA (Norwegian Save the Children)
[But the comments are mine and my responsibility only.]
wisecj@mozart.inet.co.th
---
7 :::: 7 Question Authority, then laugh at the dumb answer

[Bob L Eberlein]

Hello Everyone,

I am starting to get queries about why things are so quiet on this list.
The list, to the best of my knowledge is not broken. There has, however,
been a significant lack of activity.

I do not have a good explanation for this lack of activity. In order to
generate some discussion, I was tempted to suggest that it was because
we had all basically agreed on the truth and there was not much left to
discuss.

An alternative explanation would be that the policy of asking people to
direct answers to the senders of messages rather than the whole list
tends to terminate conversations early. I would like to hear from everyone
on the list (a little electronic vote). The question, should answers
generally be sent to the whole list?

Send a message to vensim@world.std.com. Use Yes as the subject if you
want to see more question responses and No if you dont. If you include
other info I will read it - then I will tally the responses and report back.

Bob Eberlein
vensim@world.std.com