It has recently come to my attention that my day to day, and even week to week, activities no longer include in depth discussion of current events, social justice, culture, politics, or the environment...the list goes on and on. While in University discussion and discourse of a variety of topics was just part of the experience. I find now that I am removed from the University environment, I have less access to people willing and ready to discuss complex, and sometimes controversial topics, at a moments notice.
In order to remedy this I have decided on a social experiment. Goal: To test facebook as an effective tool for academic discourse and my ability to engage other post-university students in discussion on their own free will.
This will also test my ability to adapt as I'm admittedly unfamiliar with the rules, etiquette and formats of blogs, forums and discussion boards.
My first step was to send an email to a small group of friends (real friends, not facebook "friends") via facebook explaining my void and my desire to fill it.
Email:
Hi,
I'm writing this message because I've noticed a distinct lack in political, cultural, and current event discourse in my day to day life now that I've left University and entered "Career world".
Although I work in a politicized environment (I work for Huu-ay-aht First Nations, who are involved in the Treaty process) I feel I'm still lacking a platform for discussions that delve deeper in to issues than just a jerk reaction or first impression.
Today, I came across two very interesting, potentially controversial articles. They're not articles that I want to argue for, or against, but rather, articles I want to explore further.
I'm thinking of starting an invitation based group where articles on gender, politics, culture, social justice, environment, current events...etc can be posted for FYI or discussion and to allow interested persons to participate at their leisure.
I am aware of sites like this that already exist, but personally, I find large forums to be overwhelming and over populated. I'm thinking, a smaller, more book club like, group.
The reason I'm hesitant to post articles openly on facebook as a wall post is the number of "friends" who many not understand the article, why it was posted or understand the difference between discussion and argument, nor the etiquette that applies to it.
The goal is to create a virtual discussion group and I would like to avoid an environment that lends itself to personal attacks and a devolution of the topic at hand.
This is why I'd like to create an platform for a smaller group that encourages discourse and discourages conflict for conflict sake.
If you're interested please let me know and I'll send the group invite.
~Crystal
There were two articles that spurred the idea of a virtual discussion group.
Multipy and Conquer: How to have 17 children and still believe in Jesus by Kate Dixon from Bitch Magazine 2007
http://bitchmagazine.org/article/multiply-and-conquer
and
White Privilage: Unpacking the invisible backpack by Peggy McIntosh from Independent School 1990
http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html
Reponses to articles, which will hopefully jump start discussions, to follow.
No comments:
Post a Comment