Date: 30 Apr 96 02:31:29 EDT
From: "Chris, London" <100423.2040-AT-compuserve.com>
To: marxismlist a <marxism-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU>
Subject: Peace reigns?


Tempting fate, but is April 30th one of those rare moments when
there is no focus of vituperative conflict on the l'st?

The outbreak of good humour, the bust up between Luis and Adolfo,
the unexpected warmth between Adolfo and Gary, for a moment make this
seem like one of the more benign phases of a some strange collective 
soap-opera.

>From 18 months on this l'st I have a systems theory that there always
has to be a focus of overt, emotionally bitter conflict at any one time,
even while the majority of posters remain broadly highly responsible and
largely constructive in the way they argue over issues.

This l'st is a space created by argument, an arena of conflict, and
the question is not the reality of conflict but how we carry it out, 
whether by argument or by personal or symbolic attacks.

Anyway I predict that peace is an unstable condition for this l'st and 
that it will only be a short time before another focus of conflict flares
shockingly. 

Meanwhile the great majority of subsribers and contributors
will plod away looking for jewels in the ashes, in many ways making this
l'st what it is, a cross roads, a city in the sky, crowded, argumentative,
largely civilised, but with inevitable brawls.

Peace reigns? Not for long, is my prediction.

Chris B, London.


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