Stop making lurkers wrong LO8271

Keith Cowan (72212.51@CompuServe.COM)
02 Jul 96 23:12:38 EDT

Replying to LO8111 --

Joseph O'Connor <jj71@dial.pipex.com> makes a musical analogy:

>...Unless a message 'sings the same song' it's hard to get a foothold if (I
>may mix a metaphor.) Everyone has their notes to contribute, but there is
>powerful pre-existing harmonies.
>
>I have never felt that lurkers were 'being made wrong' only that it is
>hard to sing the same tune. Someone who wishes to join the discussion may
>need to model threads carefully. I am also aware that this message is not
>in key, but may generate some interesting aleatory harmonies.

I feel like it is a cocktail party that has been underway for a while and
there are a series of small groups (threads) talking. I have to go up and
join the group. This definitely involves listening to pick up the tune and
topic before contributing. Often it involves moving among several groups
before finding the right chemistry.

The more strangers in the group, the harder it is to hit the right keys or
pitch and the longer it takes to get in the swing. IMHO

Valdis E. Krebs" <InFlow@cris.com> adds the following point:
>...I have found that some of the best feedback I have gotten is from smart
>individuals who are NOT expert[even 'naive'] in the topic they are
>asking/wondering about. IMHO, it is through these type interactions that
>many serendipitous discoveries are made.

Sometimes the best insights come from people who DO NOT share the same
preconceptions of the experts. Something about naturally asking WHY five
times (after respectfully listening long enough)...Keith

-- 

Keith Cowan <72212.51@CompuServe.COM>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>