Date: Wed, 2 Aug 95 21:44:12 BST
From: Chris Burford <cburford-AT-gn.apc.org>
Subject: Drowning- stats and lifebelt



There have been some exchanges about the volume. These occur 
periodically as people drown. Or think they are drowning. However it is 
not essential that everyone is able to  read everything on this list for it 
to be creative and to help the reapplication of marxist ideas.

I think the quality of posts has increased a lot. I am very
frustrated that I have not been able to give the attention I 
wanted to a number of threads, including Steve Keen, Jerry and 
Rakesh on value.

What is necessary is that subscribers realise honest, well-written
thoughtful contributions will usually be welcome. Antagonistic
contributions picking a fight will leave you vulnerable to 
getting hot and bothered with lots of penetrating replies. 

We have learnt how to fire-fight time wasting squabbles by 
triangulation - stepping in and discussing the issues, not the 
personalities. We have also learned how to deal with the random 
incursions which may be hostile or just bizarre, or just students
enjoying themselves lobbing a few arkward questions.

This list is a self organising system. It does not require
everyone to be conscious of every move for it to be useful
Even if it never fed back into marxist journals, the very 
fact that people from different marxist backgrounds can talk 
to each other, and the liveliness of the list is a political message
in itself. It is at the very least a catalyst.



Numbers

Dec 13th  189 subscribers

Apr 30th  283 (of whom 34 on the new marxism digest)

May 28th  285 (40 on the digest)

Jun 30th  274 (35              )

Aug  2nd  275 (46              )

Although I have not counted possible double entries of digest and 
ordinary list, I think this is a pretty healthy count, considering 
that many would unsubscribe over the academic holiday period.

I do recommend the marxism-digest function

1) It is less addictive and makes it easier to read just once or
twice daily. On the other hand you only have to wait for a day to 
get a reply. Unless you enjoy flame wars this is enough.

2) It is neater with headings stripped off. The only bit I would 
sometimes like on is who the mail is copied to because you cannot
always make out the connections, and what it is replying to.

This is a sample of what you get>

marxism-digest        Wednesday, 2 August 1995      Volume 01 : Number 296

In this issue:
=============
   Re: MOOs etc. for marxism list
   Re: MOOs etc. for marxism list
   Bosnia- lifting the embargo
   Bosnia, CPUSA and the left
   DECONSTRUCTING MARILYN MONROE, again
   use-value/Keen
   Information overflow
   Re: Class, Internet, and the Industrial
   List size and form
   C.L.R. James and Ralph D. -- Does this shoe fit?
   Re: Bosnia and CPUSA
   Re: state cpitalism
   Re:  individual/selection, back to Paul C
   Bosnia

<snip>

------------------------------

From: om-AT-gambro.se
Date: Wed,  2 Aug 1995   11:22:54  +0100
Subject: Information overflow

Understatement: This list is an active one.

Call for help: I'm drowning!!!


<etc>