I began this article as a note to Jim Benenson, the subject of a recent dis-
cussion concerning my policies on NativeNet moderation, but as I continued
writing, I discovered that this topic led naturally into a few others, so
I've turned it into an article about the management and direction of Native-
Net. I encourage everyone to read at least the outline at the end which
indicates a number of items of potential development.
Though Jim has left the LISTSERV list, I will be sending him a copy of this
article via the local list I control directly, after which time he will
receive no further articles, unless he elects to resubscribe.
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Jim,
This morning I was informed by the LISTSERV software that you have signed
off NATIVE-L:
> As of Monday, February the 10th of 1992, Jim Benenson <BENENSON@CFRVM> has
> signed off the NATIVE-L distribution list (NATIVE-L Issues Pertaining to
> Aboriginal Peoples).
I'm sorry you've chosen to leave the mailing list, particularly after saying:
| Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1992 10:22:04 GMT
|
| Actually, one of the best sources of knowledge about Native American thought
| and people is this list!
I imagine you're quite offended by the way I handled your article, a fact
that I regret just as much as the fact that I felt at the time that I had
no other choice but to do so. Apparently you are unable to distinguish
censorship, which has to do with suppressing an opinion, from moderation,
which relates to trying to maintain a modicum of reasonableness in a dis-
cussion and to make it as clear and evident as possible what is being said
and who is being criticized and why. I, on the other hand, have learned
from this experience that it might be a better technique of moderation in
most cases to permit a remark which I feel I have reason to question to be
made, adding whatever comments I might feel to be necessary, rather than
to just send the article back to its author. However, I suspect that some
people, possibly including yourself, would object to that practice also.
In that case, I find myself at a complete loss.
The principle I am attempting to uphold in this situation is one of a cer-
tain responsibility I feel toward readers of this list to avoid dealing in
personalities rather than primarily in issues and information. I always
lament those occasions when members sign off the list explaining that they
find the information and discussion interesting and useful, but find that
they don't have the time or patience to deal with the rancor (which we've
experienced a few times). I cannot and do not want to suppress normal
human emotions which people feel and with which it might seem natural to
invest certain of their writings. As Kerry Miller pointed out recently
(if in a fairly abstract manner :-), there is often a kind of "flatness"
almost inherent in written communications. However, it is still not at
all clear whether language suggestive of emotion can or will in a given
instance be interpreted consistently with the intention of a person using
such emotionally charged language.
I think it's just going to end up being a "judgement call" in a particular
circumstance. There may be times when I pass an article on with comments,
and others when I'll return one to an author asking for clarification. It
is certainly not my desire to become a censor, but I do feel that readers
expect of me that I attempt to keep this mailing list from having the kind
of "noisy" feeling of other mailing lists or Usenet newsgroups. I have
received enough compliments along these lines that I know there are a very
substantial number of members of our NativeNet who prefer a more focussed
channel, and so I will continue to endeavor to help provide such a thing.
As always, I welcome comments, either public or private, but I am hopeful
that this discussion itself won't become a long drawn-out kind of affair.
I would like to get some sense of a mandate from the readers concerning
what you feel you really want, but I don't want to be seen as "fishing for
compliments" and I do recognize the principle that it's impossible to
please everyone.
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This might be a good time to mention a few ideas that I would like for
members of this list to know about, which have been "waiting in the wings"
for some time. They include:
1. PERSONAL SURVEY
A number of people have expressed an interest in knowing more about
their fellow NativeNet members, both in general and in specific terms.
My intent is to circulate two kinds of electronic questionnaires, one
asking for a brief introduction, giving whatever biographical facts
you might like others to know about you, so that you'll have a basis
for conducting your own personal exchanges, and the other requesting
such things as your preferences for how the list is used, and whether
you might have a willingness to work on specific projects, and what
particular knowledge or talents you could bring to a certain task.
I will be helped in this effort by NativeNet member Scott Camp, who
has a particular expertise in conducting surveys as a social scientist.
If others are interested in helping, please get in touch with me.
2. INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE PRODUCTION
A number of people are working on designing a brochure which could be
sent out to organizations representing indigenous peoples, human rights
organizations, and new members of the IGC and APC systems, which can
access NativeNet through a series of electronic conferences. If any-
one has any ideas for a logo for this brochure and/or artistic skills
which might be lent to this project, please let me know.
3. CREATION OF SPECIALIZED LISTS
So far, we have four distinct lists, as follows:
LISTSERV Name IGC conf names
NATIVE-L gen.nativenet indig. peoples info & discussion
gen.nativeam Native American information
web.native Aboriginal peoples of Canada info
gn.tribalsurvive Survival International conference
rainfor.<various> rainforest issues & information
NAT-1492 native.1492 Columbus Quincentenary information
(none) native.lang languages of indigenous peoples
(none) (none) ("nn.edu") educational subjects
As this chart shows, NATIVE-L is linked with a number of IGC confer-
ences, NAT-1492 with one, and native.lang does not have a corresponding
LISTSERV. The "nn.edu" list has not yet formally begun operation, and
so it's not yet clear whether it will be connected with a LISTSERV list
and/or an IGC conference. There are names on the list, though, and I'm
still accepting requests.
At such time as it seems appropriate, additional lists can be created
to handle specialized subjects. It is tempting to think about separating
the discussion from the "hard information" in NATIVE-L. Let me know if
you have an opinion on the subject. Also, I've been talking with a few
people about the idea of developing specialized lists for the purpose of
a more formal discussion about certain books on the subject of particular
historical events, such as the Spanish conquest of the Americas. I would
like to think about informal "telecourses" being possible by such means,
in fact - which might eventually develop into courses offered for credit
through degree-granting institutions. Perhaps we could establish a group
which would work for such a development, by researching what is currently
available (I can point you toward databases, newsletters, and other infor-
mational sources that could serve as the basis of our search). I'm hoping
at least to soon have a reading list from Prof. John Mohawk (SUNY/Buffalo)
which we could use initially to think about starting a trial discussion.
4. USE OF LISTSERV FOR DOCUMENT STORAGE & RETRIEVAL
The Revised LISTSERV software in use at Texas A & M ("TAMVM1") makes it
possible to store electronic documents on line which can be retrieved
by anyone via electronic mail, just as one can retrieve articles which
have been posted via either of the current lists, NATIVE-L and NAT-1492.
I would like to make available the text of such documents, which would
include items that are too long and/or of too specialized an interest
to make them suitable for general distribution. Perhaps a bulletin
could be circulated via the list every couple of weeks indicating recent
additions to this archive, though an index of the archive would be avail-
able via email request also.
5. DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT AREAS
There are quite a number of specific projects which I and a number of
others have been wanting to develop for quite some time. In fact, I
often think of the existing mailing lists as merely a demonstration
prototype for these projects, which would have a much more definite
purpose and focus. They include such items as using this computer
communications technology to link Native schools, social and legal
service agencies, and community or national support organizations, as
well as the development of a Native press network. Through attendance
at conferences and seminars, and via correspondence (some of it paper-
based), I have attracted the interest of some organizations working in
areas that would make them natural allies, and I am currently exploring
developing more formal working relationships in some cases.
In order to accomplish significant development in these areas, it will
clearly be necessary to obtain sources of funding, most likely through
foundation support. If you or anyone you know might be interested in
helping think through and/or develop these projects, please get in touch.
I can send you a copy of an outline that describes the scope of this
project and what the specific needs are in each area.
As I and others I've been working with and talking with envision it, at least,
this NativeNet idea has a great deal of potential beyond what we've currently
explored. In fact, it may be in the more specialized channels of communication
that it has the greatest potential to work for the positive change in the life
of indigenous communities and their members that I think we would all like to
see. Any suggestions or offers of help would be most sincerely appreciated.
--
Gary S. Trujillo gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us
Somerville, Massachusetts {wjh12,bu.edu,spdcc,ima,cdp}!gnosys!gst