"Is the List dying?

[Chris Burford <100423.2040@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One thing (not the only thing) I like about Hans and Lisa is that
they have broad shoulders. I would not want Hans to have too
many sleepless nights. In his comment on this theme he drew a
careful distinction between the l'st being in crisis and the
l'st being dead. I agree with this.

BTW if Carrol has already deleted this post that is fine. I think
Carrol contributes valuably to the whole range of opinions in this
community, and represents those who do not want to talk about group
dynamics.
But most human societies do spend some time reflecting and even
celebrating what they do together, as well as discussing what
is going wrong. Even 10% of posts on this would not be unhealthy.
Everyone is free to delete.

The l'st almost proceeds by crises. It is certainly chaotic. That does
not mean there is not an underlying dynamic and a momentum from the
continual process of marxist ideas being subject to challenge from
whatever quarter.

There *may* be a danger that Spoons would no longer wish to support
this community. Rightly or wrongly that is most likely to occur I would
guess if they see it (however unfairly) as largely a vicious
sectarian battle ground between small Maoist or Stalinist sects.
We have a limited ability to alter their perceptions on this.

As to whether the l'st is dying, that is a completely different
question. It is a question I suggest, of ecology. In ecological
terms an environment may be judged by the richness of the life-forms
that it can sustain. An amazonian jungle is a frightening but
rich environment.

To a superficial observer the conflicts on this l'st may look
purely destructive, but I would suggest a systems analysis would
make the case that this l'st is supporting a greater variety of
marxist life forms than a year ago.

Structure is inherently very difficult in a medium like this.
Any structure at first becomes a focus for attack.
But it is worth reflecting that the Amazon jungle proliferates
on sand.

I think we faltered badly when the momentum for Louis to
set up a structure for an inhouse seminar on Cuba was
deflated.

Another idea about structure:

There is an unfilled niche for someone like an editor, who would
give an overview once a month, or once a week, of themes that have
interested him/her. Not revolutionary, not impossibly risky,
but it would help to reflect on the underlying momentum, which
sometimes gets lost in the flurry.

About technology, if Malgosia is reading, I still think that tweaking
the software to reduce the speed of retorts would be useful.
(The half life of adrenaline in the blood is 15 minutes). And I
do think it would be better if new subscribers were automatically
put on digest *unless* they had a special request to go on
instant, instead of the other way round.
 Let me emphasise that I am quite aware these proposals are
nothing to do with ensuring effective censorship of unacceptable
posts. It is about adjusting the average temperature of this
eco-niche a little.


Chris Burford
London.





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