[Host's Note: Just so there is no possible confusion, people who only read
are absolutely welcome here on learning-org. ...Rick]
Between Stimulus and Response there is a space
In that space lies our power and freedom to choose our responses
In those responses lie our growth and our happiness. -Covey
I cannot speak for others, only myself. I choose not to respond based on
the content and relevance to what I am doing, and the degree I see my
point of view as very different from the thread, and will my point of view
provide significant value, or someone has raised a point/question I need
clarification on.
I don't know the origin of the word lurker, (I view it as a derogatory
term) but is most likely from the same source as people who coined "flame"
and advocate flaming. There is always an inference with the meme's
created, that's why they are used. Flame infers I burn you. Lurker
infers I steal a look without you knowing. Newbie infers you are
infant-like.
I don't use these terms anymore, they are all laden with negative
connotation. Its a way to create the distance between me and you, by
using these terms. We get into a mode and really mean to say: I'm right,
since I'm a contributor, list owner, etc. and You're wrong because you're
a newbie, lurker, etc.
Contributor infers I add value to the greater whole. But in a post, I am
biased in my assessment of my post's value. The object measure is others
perception of value.
I offer a different point of view I as you to experiment with. You can't
label yourself as a contributor. Only others can call you a contributor,
if they get consistent value from your consistent posts.
Keith's comment (to me, just my point of view, not a judgement of Keith)
feels like belief in cause and effect relationships (C&E) (i.e. I believe
lurkers are lurkers because they fear entering the fray, they want to wait
and see what emerges before they share their point of view). rather than
knowledge of C&E.
Why are 75% of LO list members just readers (what they really are)
and not readers & posters (what the other 25% really
are).
I have no true idea, I've never asked.
> =========start=======
> As an update to the above, 25% of the change agents on LO are active,
> much higher than average (as expected) but 75% are lurkers! This really
> reinforces the point that MOST people adopt a "wait-and-see"
> attitude before sticking their necks out! ...Keith
> =========end quote=====
>
> I do not know if it is just me but the meme 'lurkers' seems to convey a
> slightly derogatory, or even 'holier than thou' atttitude. *I am a
> contributor - you are just a lurker*.
--scypher@perform.vt.edu (Scott R. Cypher)
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>