Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 16:17:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Robert S Gossweiler <baubb@UDel.Edu>
To: SOCGRAD <socgrad@ucsd.edu>
Subject: Imputing meaning to Lurker's attitudes
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.961021161545.4724A-100000@strauss.udel.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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I am one of the lurking people who support both Christian
*and* TR's dialogue about the issue of lecturing on a discussion group. 

(I guess Tim Chester missed methods class when they were talking about
non-response rates and what they mean. I also find it interesting that
TC wanted to go private only after he gets the last word/flame in.)
Please take flames to alt.flames or go private.

I've always wondered why students spend so much time sniping and back
stabing each other rather than being supportive.  Do we not get
enough crap from faculty not to be pounding on our fellow
students? Or are some of what we do is just reproducing what we learn
(e.g., right of passage, lack of self confidence....)? Please forgive my
overgeneralization, but I know there is a sociological question in here
somewhere....

Here's an issue for discussion: Why and when do
flames occur?  That is, what are some sociological reasons/theory of
flaming?  Are some dialogues or topics more likely to flame than others?
Are flames more likely to be associated with certain social arenas or
communications mediums (e.g., electronic discussion groups vs
discussions at professional meetings)?  How does the raising of a
question get turned into a personal attribute, and what does this mean 
for us as teachers (who sometimes want to ask abrasive questions)? 

Later,
Bob G.

PS who wants to make a bet that TC flames me next?  Can we come up with a
predictive theory of response?  ;-)

On Mon, 21 Oct 1996 Ologygrad@aol.com wrote:

> Once again, I ditto Christian's comments fully.  I also ditto Laura Miller's
> suggestion to remove this discussion from the realm of TR and his lectures.
>  Timothy M. Chester, I am of the opinion that you are out of control.
> 
> Ivy Kennelly
> 

Robert S. Gossweiler, Email: baubb@strauss.udel.edu
U.of DE, Soc.Dept., Center for Drug & Alcohol Studies