[372] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
RE: Questions from Patrons
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (KINGH%SNYSYRV1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE)
Fri May 29 11:33:58 1992
Date: Fri, 29 May 1992 10:24:10 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: KINGH%SNYSYRV1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
The subject line does not seem to wholly reflect the content of M Hart's
message. I interpret M Hart's message as a kind of alert -- something's
happening here, but what it is is not exactly clear" but it might not be good
for us. I also heard M Hart ask listserv members to take a risk and get
involved in a discussion, take a stand, express an opinion. And I heard
him advise people to use the delete key rather than to demand more regula-
tion of the electronic environment. I agree with M Hart. The way we attack
each other in these discussions discourages others from participating. We
need to show more openness, tolerance, and respect for what people write and
the risk they're taking in writing anything at all. What we cannot control,
unfortunately, is misuse, misquoting, misinterpreting, maliciousness. And
we take the chance that taking a stand that is contrary to that of the elite
or the powerful will result in often unanticipated danger to our jobs and
professional standing. Personally, I believe the damage has already taken
place -- this is no longer a free-wheelin', give and take, brawl and shout
environment. When I first began to participate on the listservs I likened
them to the French cafe society where the "intelligentsia" met to argue
ideas as if ideas and theories and mysteries were life itself. But, I
now feel that every word that's written here can and will be held against
you, particularly in the court of librarian opinion. But, hey, so what? That's
life!
Hannah King
SUNY HSC Library at Syracuse
kingh@snysyrv1
kingh@vax.cs.hscsyr.edu
