From: jaapjl@tab00.larc.nasa.gov (J Lee Jaap)
Newsgroups: news.groups
Subject: Re: Usenet Culture (Was: Re: CFV? What's a CFV??)
Date: 19 Nov 1992 23:29:43 GMT
Organization: AS&M Inc
Reply-To: J Lee Jaap <J.L.Jaap@larc.nasa.gov>
NNTP-Posting-Host: cmb00.larc.nasa.gov
In-reply-to: gvh@metrosoft.com's message of Mon, 16 Nov 1992 21:09:34 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.210934.3698@metrosoft.com> gvh@metrosoft.com (Gordon Van Huizen) writes:
   What it relies on is that readers have a similar notion of "good sense" to  
   those that have created the system as it exists. Not all people have the  
   same values, interests, backgrounds, time and ability to learn. As the use  
   of Usenet broadens (and this is happening rapidly) the overlap in culture  
   between the creators and the new users will become smaller. This is a  
   problem in that it will become increasingly difficult for new users to  
   function within the system.

   No one is to blame here, although there seems to be a strong tendency for  
   one culture to want to blame the other. What will happen though (and is  
   happening to some degree) is that if the culture that created the Usenet  
   process doesn't allow for adaptation of the process for the new culture,  
   the new culture will be excluded. Not a good thing, in my opinion.

But on a volunteer-run system, you don't get new volunteers
(when you need them, as the net grows) by flaming the current
set and what they've done.

What I see your post acknowledging is one culture invading (a bit
harsh, but it's the first I thought of) another's turf, which includes
systems that have been set up to run rather effectively.  The invaders
then expect things to change to suit them, without real power to force
the changes, but they scream loudly when the existing system (which
they don't understand and haven't taken the time to learn about) runs
over them or hurts their feelings.

Yelling about the deficiencies of the invaded culture can have few
good reactions.  The first responses I imagine are

	Leave us alone; we didn't ask you to come here.

	Who made us your slaves?

	We don't like listening to your constant complaining, without
	understanding what's going on here.  We'll let you keep the
	existing system (even though we know you won't be able to keep
	it running) and build ourselves a new one (different enough
	that we can restrict your access to it from the current system).

I can't blame the first group for any of these responses, in the face
of destructive criticism of their volunteer efforts.  Money does not
equate to power on the net, and there are no real armies, which
eliminates two of the more effective tools for securing others'
efforts for the good of another.  Respect (and some power) is accorded
on the basis of technical capability and cooperation.

   If these two directions continue, however:

   1. Less actual users of Usenet will be able to function well in it
   2. There will be less understanding of one culture by the other
   3. Disagreements regarding process will in general become more vocal
   4. The 'will of the net' will come to mean 'the will of the creators'
   5. Each group will likely feel intimidated, persecuted or simply annoyed  
   by the other

   This isn't just new users and their lack of "good sense". I maintain that  
   there is a real demographics shift happening and that it will only get  
   larger. Ignore it if you want to. But I think it's in everyone's best  
   interest to accept it and do whatever we can to deal with it. 

Yes, as you and irilyth seem to be heading up quite nicely.  But
others seem to be more in the business of destruction and
demoralization of the volunteers who have built the net to be what it
currently is.  Not that the `creators' require obeisance and
sacrifice, just some respect (or lack of disdain) for their efforts in
builting the mighty tool for sharing info that's been built, including
the documentation that's been accumulated.

Summary for new, non-computer-savvy folks who use the net:  Be
aware that you are reaping/sharing the fruit that others have
planted and grown.  Don't flounce in as if you owned the place
and demand accomodation (or you may indeed end up owning the
place without being able to maintain it).

I'm just trying to say that there's a world of difference in the
attitudes expressed by
	This machine is broken; fix it.  Yesterday.
and
	This is broken.  How can I help you fix it?

I'll be glad to help in the task.  I don't have time for a lot
of creative writing, but I will criticize (constructively) with
suggestions for improvements of drafts.  Feel free to borrow any
of the prose I've written in these threads if it's usable.
--
J Lee Jaap <J.L.Jaap@LaRC.NASA.Gov> +1 804/864-2148
    employed by, not speaking for, AS&M Inc, at
         NASA LaRC, Hampton VA 23681-0001
Newsgroups: news.groups