Listeners LO12303

Crossman, Harold (crossman@OSI.SYLVANIA.com)
Fri, 31 Jan 1997 11:56:57 -0500

Replying to LO12289 --

Regarding the suggested change of the term "lurker" to "listener," I
prefer the latter. While lurker has certain negative connotations
according to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, (to lie in wait in a place
of concealment esp. for an evil purpose), the word also suggests action
and preparation to respond to an opportunity. Listening, on the other
hand, does not have an external action component outside of the dialog
where one is a participant. There is no suggestion of applying what one
has understood as a result of listening, merely idea formulation,
acknowledgment, and similar internal processes.

As a lurker (or listener), I have never felt any disrespect among
participants in this list. Just the opposite. When I joined, I received
several notes of welcome from members of the "inner circle" that were warm
and encouraging.

Harold J. Crossman
OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
Lighting Research Center
71 Cherry Hill Dr.
Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: (508) 750-1717
E-mail: crossman@osi.sylvania.com

Our web sites: www.sylvania.com
www.siemens.com

-- 

"Crossman, Harold" <crossman@OSI.SYLVANIA.com>

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