Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 22:13:51 +0100 From: Chris Burford <cburford-AT-gn.apc.org> Subject: Re: M-G: On the close down of Marxism space At 07:41 PM 5/22/98 +0100, Mark wrote: >How on earth, by what dreadful mischance, did you new subscribers >stumble into this stinking morass? > >This list has no connection with marxism and arguably never has had. >This list is for chernobyl-fans, moronites, chamberpots and sparts. I do not really see that Mark in this post is doing more than trying to get people for whom he has contempt, expelled from an unmoderated lists. There are several moderated lists now. Why try to close down the only unmoderated one? Why ignore the quality of the newcomers contributions (and there have been two or three newcomers per month), when they could be engaged? Doug's challenge to Hugh is one of the reasons for one unmoderated list. Marxism space as a collective entity is shaped by such challenges. What if all moderated lists were separate from each other? While I am on record as criticising Bob's contributions which I think are typically spart - no potential for dialogue in the criticism, just exposure of everything wrong in everyone else's position; Hugh will argue a mean argument. I have to think how to counter his reply on united fronts. And while I have certainly challenged the stereotyped nature of Hugh's history it just isn't accurate to say that he doesn't report issues of current struggles. I gave the example of workers aid to Bosnia. That is a concrete initiative in a very complex political situation. And it was well thought out. And even with Spartacists it is not right to be totally undialectical. I think I record Doug making a positive remark about the material produced by the former spart (Norton?) before the split in recent years. I know Hugh feels he has to polemicise with bravado, but that is not confined to Trotsyists. I really do not understand what you, Louis P and Doug mean if you are implying that Hugh's contributions are totally worthless. To expect newcomers to accept on principle that his IQ is significantly less than Louis's and he is some sub-mensch is implictly it seems to me to tell newcomers that any one on this list is at risk of being dehumanised. I am not questioning the right of moderators on a moderated list to bar someone. I can see that Hugh just would not add to the mix that is shaping up on LBO-talk at present. But we are talking about one unmoderated list here, and I cannot accept that to dismiss it as a morass is appropriate to the over 100 subscribers it has. What purpose are you trying to serve? Chris Burford London. --- from list marxism-general-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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