Participation in Net forums
From participants' comments about taking part in our forum, as well as from my own observations, conclusions can be drawn which are interesting in relation to this form of communication on the Net:
Lack of time
The main reason for not contributing to the discussion was said to be a lack of time. In fact, it is the most active protagonists and theorists who are under the greatest pressure due to their numerous commitments. Many would obviously rather not contribute if they do not find enough time to write something which is able to meet their own high standards. In Net forums however, polished essays are by no means necessary. It would still be an enrichment to the debate if experiences and knowledge were incorporated at least in brief remarks.
Language barriers
For participants who do not come from English speaking regions, it is a great handicap that the discussion takes place in English. In the interest of having as widespread communication as possible, we decided to use the language spoken by the majority of Internet users. It certainly may be difficult to overcome language-related inhibitions, when the spokesmen of such a forum are eloquent specialists with a perfect knowledge of English. In this case more self confidence is indeed appropriate, since grammatical correctness is not nearly as important as the core meaning of a statement. Many of the forum participants proved that one can very actively take part in such a debate, even with a limited vocabulary.
Silent majority
As with »real« conferences, it is also very common in Net forums and newsgroups that many just have a quick look in, and/or keep to the role of passive observer the entire time. In Web jargon, these people are called »lurkers«, though the expression isn't necessarily used in a negative sense. It seems remarkable that the fluctuation within our mailing list was relatively small. Once people signed up, they usually stayed on the list.
No forum without exchange
Indeed, such a forum only has meaning when people communicate with one another. This is a truism of course, though it seems that its conclusion, as well as the opportunities in this form of exchange are not obvious to all. Not without cause, Olu Oguibe wrote: »Though it may sound like a cliche, I still believe that one of the fundamental glories of the internet is that we have the opportunity to generate multiple voices and perspectives on such crucial matters, interactively and in critical tandem, rather than lean on the intellectual mercy of those few 'experts' or 'authorities' who have the opportunity or patience to write it all in the next, definitive book on the subject, or the funds and time to go to a limited-registration conference.«
Presentation of projects
Once again, Olu Oguibe should be quoted: »My own expectation is that this forum would bring forth stories of practical successes in cultural exchange through the internet, new ideas for practicable strategies and projects, as well as theoretical explorations of lessons drawn from existing projects and instances, and the possibilities and implications of different strategies, ideas, and proposals. ... A forum like this provides ample opportunity to share those lessons, but also to explore collectively, aspects of success or shortcoming that might not be obvious to those who are directly involved.«
In fact, during the forum many such projects and activities on the Web were introduced, and particular experiences were described. Up to now however, there has hardly been any real discussion. As a rule the postings weren't more than informative presentations.
Psychology of the interaction in forums
Ricardo Basbaum analyzed the psychological mechanisms in Net forums: »What kind of psychology is transmitted through this limited type of interaction? ... the majority of the messages concentrate on describing oneself, in a self-statement with presentation purposes. Should we speak of a kind of narcisism? ... What makes this interaction so pleasureable for everybody is the feeling for a wide and open space where we can attach ourselves, feeling free to express what we do, who we are, what are our believes, etc. So, is the internet a place where to expand individuality?« In the WWW, sites compete for attention in a kind of »seduction game«. Hence Basbaum's interest in this forum was also »the possibility of exercising ourselves in a new communication game.« In this we discover »new practices of seduction and communication, new psychology which involves (and transforms) the old forces of attraction, repulsion, grouping, etc. combined with new tools, a new pragmatic.«
Cristina Ferran Jadick added: »When we use the internet to communicate with each other, we do not have the benefit of the usual visual (gestures, facial expressions, body language) and oral cues which normally provide specific context for meaning in face to face dialogue. Therefore, on the net, the autobiographical information... serves as a functional equivalent..., by giving us the background to develop a perspective from which to interpret the words we're reading.«
As Pedro Meyer emphasized, one needs a lot of time »in order to generate such dialogues that are mutual, reciprocal and multidimensional.« It is therefore very important that this forum be extended through 1999.
Suggestions for new projects
In this first phase of the forum some new projects and activities were suggested, at first rather vaguely, which should be further discussed when the forum continues:
Leandro Katz thought that a special section of the forum should be dedicated to networking and to the exchange of information on practical aspects.
José Tlatelpas suggested creating an »international network of alternative cultural organizations in the web«.
Sam de Silva would like to have an exhibition »through which we can express - artistically or otherwise - what we think? perhaps it could be part of a physical conference/event also...«
Britta Erickson went in a similar direction in suggesting to the House of World Cultures that they organize an »internet exhibition on the effects of the internet/speedy communication on world culture«. The board of directors of the HWC took this idea into consideration with great interest, and will comment upon it at a future time.
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