Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 10:18:02 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re: Response to Styles post Andrew's "Faulkian" quote


On Fri, 30 Aug 1996, Edward ROSSITER wrote:
> To Andrew: at first I had your post confused as one in response to Cath
> Styles'. When you spoke of "Ms Faulk's" post on tea and cake, the need for
> "more productive discussion", PhD students in Australia lacking any sense
> of humour, any tolerance, and what the "majority" of Australian's do not
> "share" with Faulk's "interests", I became puzzled over the doubleness I
> was hearing.  

	i'm sorry i puzzled you - it was just a (failed) attempt at a
	witty reposte.

> To Tina and Andrew both, then,: what constitutes "productive discussion,"
> what rules on discourse might this list have to subscribe to?; how is it
> possible to know what (silent) majorities might be thinking? [please Tina,
> do not repeat the Liberal/media fallacy that they have a "mandate to rule"
> as a result of a "majority" vote - in the house of reps., not the senate,
> I might add]; how is possible to speak for the "lack of humour" in groups
> that you both homogenise? 

	maybe we were both just feeling a bit ratty?  in my net
	experience a response like tina's isn't because she's unaware
	of the above (can anyone who's got as far as subscribing to a
	list-server on postcolonialism not have heard "all that" before?), 
	but because she's carrying across some earlier argument or
	venting frustration from dealing with someone else on a
	similar theme.

	anyway, it's not for me to double guess someone else.  i just
	wanted to point out that email is - for many - akin to 
	conversation in the street rather than debating in a society.
	i like it, but it means people say daft things sometimes.  you
	know - life and all that...

	andrew

	p.s. i'm sorry about this.  i was only hear to listen to wise
	things.  no more sarcasm from me.


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