File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1997/97-04-13.095, message 2


From: blunose-AT-interserv.com
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 17:03:13 -0700
Subject: RE: M-I: cyberseminar


Louis Proyect wrote:
Mon, 7 Apr 1997 15:10:31 -0400 (EDT)
----------------------------------
I think we have to face the reality that the cyberseminar 
on nationalism has no future. It was a desperate attempt 
to put the list back on a solid footing after the pointless 
flame wars of February and March, but nobody seems to have 
any interest in the topic. I personally have no interest to
try to coordinate the thing and also think that this list 
will never have such an organized activity again. Too bad, really.

I wrote on Nimni and got no response. Louis G. has obviously 
been putting some hard work into his report, but this has 
elicited very little response either. Meanwhile, two of the 
remaining four reporters have fled marxism-international 
in complete disgust. The only other two reporters are
Zeynep and Blunose, but I suspect that their lack of response 
to the thread is not a good sign either. I have a feeling that 
Blunose is just one comrade among many who is standing back 
about ten feet in shock at the automobile accident that 
m-i has turned into.

Gay (aka blunose!) replies:
--------------------------

Oh Hell no!

My lack of response, quietness, whatever ... is the 
result of overtime at work, turmoil in personal life, 
battling over computer time with my partner, two long 
weekends away catching up with friends and trying to fit 
in reading and research for my cyberseminar report.

Let me assure you, it will take more than these occasional 
cat-scraps to keep me away from the l*st. (One and a half years 
of turmoil and counting!)

I've found some very helpful material about Quebec nationalism 
and expect to make an interesting contribution to the seminar. 
With my shortcomings in "theory", I'll emphasize historical/class 
description and let the readers analyse and put in context for me.

The deeper I get into my reading, the more I'm looking forward 
to comments and analysis from l*st-people. Quebec nationalism 
and class structure in the province have changed dramatically 
over the last two centuries. The parallels may be enlightening 
for the study of "nationalism" in general.

Sure the l*st goes through some "rough" spots, when discussion 
about the l*st or personalities dominates. [As a longtimer 
and resident "l*st-historian", you'd be as aware of this 
as anyone.] I *hate* the fact that we lost Gary, but I do 
think the thing to do is forge ahead, ignoring the static. 
In fact, during times like these I try to increase the number 
of posts I make. During periods of higher quality, I'm too
busy reading and learning.


Louis P:
-----------
I expect that cyberseminars are only useful when a list 
has some momentum going. This list has lost all momentum 
and the cyberseminar would appear like the effort of a 
lifeguard to resuscitate somebody who has been under
the water far too long.


Gay:
-------
You may be right about *this* cyberseminar. I think it 
simply got lost in the turmoil. But future seminars *will* live. 
As a desperate, lonely Marxist, I'm still a believer in the M-l*sts. 
For me, the cyberseminars were the best part of a very good thing! 
I hope you continue to organize them, whether in this or any other 
forum.


Gay Harley
Toronto, Canada


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