RE: virus: Second Class Netzizens
MarXidad (marxidad@idirect.com)
Thu, 12 Mar 1998 05:06:04 -0500
I think the inability to articulate at a certain level accounts for why
there aren't as many people regularly contributing to this list as there
could be. Every mailing list has their lurkers, yeah, but this list in
particular and mailing lists of intellectual discussion in general are
probably more intimidating to some, inhibiting them from speaking out. At
least this is my case. I joined this list a long time ago (when Brodie an
KMO posted daily), and I was stimulated by the discussion right away and
had so much to say. The reason I didn't, though, was because I was still in
a major depression which crippled my ability to think very well at all.
I got out of the depression last November and I was able to think faster,
remember more, and be more expressive among other things. So I could have
become a regular here, and even though I am busier these days, it's still
the hesitation to put my thoughts in just the right words that keeps me
from posting here frequently. Actually, I've wanted to formally introduce
myself saying why I didn't post that much before, but I wasn't able to say
exactly why. I knew it was intimidation of what I was going to write, but
funnily enough, it was my lack of articulation that prevented me from
saying that it was my lack of articulation. I have been thinking about mine
and other's articulation and ability to explain something clearly and
concisely for some time, but I'm not sure why I couldn't connect that with
my involvement with the list.
And I don't think intelligence necessarily has to with it. Someone with
an IQ of 80 probably wouldn't be very articulate (though I thought Forest
Gump was pretty good) but even in my depression my IQ was clocked at 128
and I still had a problem of expressing myself clearly. Even some of those
who've had a thorough post-secondary education have the same problem,
unless they majored in English (and maybe philosophy).
I really don't have that problem in a real-time environment, though. I can
talk about something complicated to someone in the same room fluidly, and
in places like IRC, there's isn't much of a delay between thought and
execution. I think with mailing lists like these, there tends to be a more
formal debate kind of format and so maybe there's pressure for someone to
make sure they don't say something that sounds dumb and make an ass of
themselves.
The articulate are separated from the inarticulate in the real world as
well. For example, it's important for a politician to be articulate and
eloquent to be charismatic and convincing. Imagine Dan Quayle running for
presidency--he'd have to keep his mouth shut if he's to have a fighting
chance.
I wouldn't say that those who aren't as good at putting things in written
words on the Net, where it is almost necessary, are "illiterate". It's the
same disadvantage as people have out there, but it may just be greater
here.
I go sleep now.
/_/ / /o / /
/ / / / / / Mark
/ / /) / / / _ http://www.marxidad.com/glub
/ \/\ \_/\/\_X/ ^^^^
"The illiterate of the 21st century
will not be those who cannot read and write,
but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
- Alvin Toffler