Big Brother is watching you
by Eleanor Bailey - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:10 PM
The slightly sarcastic and threatening title will be explained but first forgive the essay-esque form of this post. Unlike some of my piers I don’t have the confidence to plough on writing wherever my thoughts take me secure in the knowledge that what I’m saying is either coherent or relevant.
To quote someone else’s post “writing on a forum is a much more free and expressive form of academia” A beautiful and most likely prophetic sentence but for me in reference to this particular forum it doesn’t quite ring true.
I agree in the world wide web there are forums a plenty where you can log on post your opinions safe in the knowledge that it will not impact on your everyday life and this encourages people to write more freely and with more passion than their fleshy counterparts would otherwise.
With this one it is not exactly the case, we don’t have the luxury of anonymity here, our ability to create another persona, one where we are able to freely express ourselves without any fear of repercussion has been taken away. For most of us we see each other every day and regardless of what people may think this affects the way we respond to posts as this person is no longer a faceless entity.
To some extent it’s brilliant as we cannot hide behind cute and flippant usernames such as rosiecheeks2000, instead its “this is me and this is what I have to say” and at least for me its forced made me think clearly and laterally to create a clear/structured argument/point even if I haven’t written much till now.
Yet it’s also inhibited me to freely express myself and maybe for others as well I don’t know. The notion of “Pier criticism” and learning through your piers is, I believe, one of the most effective ways of learning but it is also one of the most daunting. To willingly put yourself out there and prepare to be judged takes a lot of confidence and I’ve noticed some have thrown themselves into it more than others, treating as a kind of duel with an almost aggressive air to some people’s writing.
The reference to Big Brother comes from the feeling of being constantly monitored through the forum of what we say or more importantly don’t say
(in my case anyway) both by our piers and our tutors. The way we’re all informed every time there is a new post it’s like we’re all each others “thought police” (reference from 1984 not some stupid thing I’ve made up) able to immediately read and judge what one of thinks/believes. As soon as someone post we all temporarily become Big Brother, a silent ever looming/omnipresent danger which could strike at any time.
The use of smiley faces as people’s profile pictures also reminds me of the Big Brother emblem or countless of symbols used throughout history, something on the surface which is seemingly harmless masking the true threat that exists underneath. Pretentious, moi? Or maybe I just suffer from a heightened sense of paranoia than most people.
Basically what I’m trying to say that there is an underlying menace/potential threat that goes with the forum inhibiting the free flow on information/communication/learning rather than opening it up to a new level.
Saying this, with the introduction of this forum and the discussion of cyberspace now being an integral part of our social development and with the constant need for new innovative technologies for faster and more immediate communication. This for me relates back to the old debate about the dilemna of the human condition.
To get deep for a minute man is inherently a lonely and afraid, searching for any distraction from the ultimate fear of being truly alone. Along came the internet and provided the perfect vehicle to distract ourselves from our insecurities. Human contact, albeit virtual, became readily accessible 24 hours a day.
The discussion threads on Facebook, Myspace and Youtube with their rising importance in popular culture and their now being an integral part to people’s lives, to me prove this. These sites allow people to feel constantly linked to others, allowing people to share their feelings, opinions and People bear their souls for all to see. The way such sites as Facebook display any alterations on anyone’s profile whether it is your love life, recently added photos etc in an alarmingly efficient way keeps everyone constantly updated with your life.
In a very long winded way perhaps what I’m trying to say is that we create Big Brother like scenarios in which we allow people a completely unfiltered view into our lives in exchange for the feeling of being accepted or connected to another human being even for just a short amount of time?
That’s me done, I know some of you are waiting for this, so go on play Big Brother its actually quite fun.
I’ll leave you with a quote, not sure what this specifically relates too but somehow seems relevant.
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you'd thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you've never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it's as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.”
Reference Points
“1984” by George Orwell
“The History Boys” Allan Bennett
But my main reference was all you guys, learnt much more about “Culture” than from reading any articles or books.
Kudos to you and Julian, wicked idea wish I’d have played more.
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Picture of Aimee Hulme
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Aimee Hulme - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:31 PM
I agree with alot of what you are saying but who says we can't hide behind a persona on here, yes clearly it says our name but we can use the opinons of research and quotes to hide what our real view maybe?
Also linking to Kieron's post can we not just type it up and cut and paste into here from word therefore giving us a good opputunity to change how we may really talk.
I agree that some people do find it easier to post and I personally am not concious of raising my voice (thanks to those nodding along) but i am aware that others are but part of the fun of this is letting people see into your lives.
Who can say they havn't wondered why someone got a better grade then them and this could be becuase we couldn't see what they have written in thier evaulation and/or essay. This allows us too learn from our peers like you Said Ellie - we do learn the best from our peers criticism
We all fear what people think about us and thier is nothing that you can do, only do your best. After a discussion with Kieron about the Forum, we both said that it got us thinking, it was refreshing to be able to read and think instead of the boring essay style- where you are soley comsumed by working on your own.
Do we not have discussion like this in real life?? Is that not what Big brother is? analysis each other in the real world...judging the other people we see just passing in the street.
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Picture of Sarah Miller
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Sarah Miller - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:44 PM
Unsure of which subject to post this in, I am going to use both Ellie’s “Big Brother” post and Kieron’s “Cyberspace” post as my two points of reference.
Kieron mentioned in his first post how people write in this forum “pretending to be someone else” – in saying this he has touched upon something which has been one of my main concerns in this project, and links in closely with Jordan’s post in which he (I suppose) questions the need for the work we are doing to be submitted online rather than in essay form. For people who are less conscious of raising their voice this perhaps not a problem, but for those who are less opinionated it can been quite daunting to share their own opinions quite so openly.
When we first received this brief it seemed as though the format of a forum would make the project more approachable. For me however it has had the opposite effect, and has made me more aware of what I am writing in the knowledge that my work is being read by not only my tutor, but also my peers (as touched on by Ellie). I have found that I have been reading other people’s posts and trying to write in a similar fashion to them, in fear that they have understood the idea of cultural theory more than I have, or that my understanding of the topic is not correct in comparison to them.
Ellie sees a tutor monitoring our posts as a form of Big Brother type interference (if that is the correct way to put it), but I can also see it as an advantage, as it allows us to be corrected if we are working along the wrong lines, and to be given the opportunity to improve upon our work and make it more suitable to meet the brief. When looked at like this, is the knowledge that we are being listened to really so daunting?
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Picture of jessica davey
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by jessica davey - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:59 PM
I agree with Sarah that the knowledge that our peers our reading what we post is making us more aware of the way that we are writing or how many references we have made to how long the post is that we have done. But while it was meant to cause healthy comparision and debate within our year group i think that everyone has made it more of a competition to how others write, or how many quotes they can get into a post, where it was put to us in the brief it isnt always about who you are quoting from but understanding and responding to the presented arguement.
I will admit that i have been very aware of how i have been writing on here and will not by my own admission reply to certain students as i feel inadequate to reply or feel they are too much of a big personality in our year group to then further the talk when i see them around college. If this was an anmionous forum where others couldnt see who was replying to who i feel this may have been better and not created this pressured environment in which to make a certain number of posts, when these are relyed back to our college email to see who has posted and who hasnt with how many words they have posted or not as the case may be.
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Picture of Kt Milne
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Kt Milne - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:53 PM
Firstly, Aimee, i was nodding!
Secondly, Ellie, i said this to you face and to prove my point i will add it here, i think you are a little paranoid.
I feel that your whole arguement against this forum is based on your own view that you dont want to be judged by others. As you put it you dont have the confidence to express your views without that security of anonymity. However i have heard your opinions on many topics, i have seen you contribute in classes and i have judged the things you have said. Sometimes ive agreed and sometimes i haven't. This hasnt changed my overall opinion of you and although you have opened yourself up to greater analysis by having your thoughts written down for people to come back to you have not faced any greater risk by entering them on this forum than by venturing them in a classroom envrionment.
You have also contradicted yourself in saying that you are writing in an essay style because in fact later into the post you become more relaxed in your style. Your opinions and your passion about them should not be something you are afraid to express because;
"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit."
-- Mary Lou Retton
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Picture of Julian Bryant
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Julian Bryant - Monday, 18 February 2008, 08:20 AM
Fascinating paradox here. You're all degree students, and it sounds as if you're just realising what that means. You are all engaed in what others have aclled the "knowledge project". It's not enough just to be skillful; you also need to be aware of your skill, and to be prepared to hold and share opinions. This is a key attribute of a graduate, and one that will stand you in great stead for the rest of your life. I'll reiterate and expand the quote I put in the email to everyone -
My own reading at the moment is a sociologist called Richard Sennett, writing about the importance of craftsmanship. "I make two contentious arguments: first, that all skills, even the most abstract, begin as bodily practices; second, that technical understanding develops through powers of the imagination. ..... The argument about imagination begins by exploring a language that attempts to direct and guide bodily skill. This language works best when it shows imaginatively how to do something" (Sennett, R: The Crafsman. London, Allen Lane, 2008 p10)
Regarding Big Brother - what, moi? - let's imagine that we are sharing in a community of practice, and that I'm just an old fart who's been around the block a bit. Who knows, we might make it happen. By the way, there's a sense in which you, and society, pay me to help you develop.
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Picture of Ceri Payne
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Ceri Payne - Thursday, 13 March 2008, 01:14 AM
While I'm on here and I seem to be in full swing - i would like to add my two pennies on a slant on the original topic proposed by Ellie.
This is a question posed to Julian mainly but i would like to see if i'm alone in this.
Personally, with me, when it comes to writing essays or presentations. I spend forever fine-tooth combing through the Syntax and spelling until its perfect.
On here, it feel it is suppose to more of a free flowing place of discussion, and conversations started on here have transposed into real world discussions with Jai and Spencer and vice-versa.
But now looking through the above posts and the other topics posts i suddenly feels a little less, intellectual - my post are researched and thought through but not as well presented as many of these have been.
Julian, what did you expect from this forum, is it our research?, our ideas?, our passion?, or our language?, our punctuation?, spelling or syntax etc etc..
that we are marked upon?,
I understand that as a degree level student my work is supposed to be of a high standard, however i'm saying that here i have been more loose and free flowing with my posts and i feel this is a excellent idea, however should i have treated it as more of a essay style of writing?
How does everyone else feel about this?
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Picture of Jamie Howell-Griffith
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Jamie Howell-Griffith - Thursday, 13 March 2008, 09:19 PM
On reading Ceri's post I have to say I had the same sort of thinking/worry about the forum. We know we are being graded on this so do we write in a way that is suitable for grading like we all do with our essays and evaluations or is it supposed to be a completely different type of thing where we can be more relaxed when it comes to word count, puncation etc...
I find that with this online forum that I can be more honest and if it makes any sense more me in what I say and how I say/write it instead of saying all the right words and making sure the puncation and things are absolutely correct with mininium mistakes! Also, on reading Ceri's point of everytime we do a essay do you read through it so it's perfect Ceri isn't the only one in this I have found that even if I have written the essay, I have made sure everything is spelt right and even got someone from my flat etc to read it through and for them to say it's fine I still feel like it need's perfecting in a way.
I have to say, personally, when it comes to this forum I feel like I am not exactly one of the top posters as my topic on "Queer Theory" didn't get many responses and also it wasn't intellectually written as many other post's have been! Does this make me less intellectual then others?
Also I think the online forum in my own opinion was a fantastic idea because we have been able to be ourselves and talk as ourselves and have a big group debate and I have found the whole experience so much more creatively stimluating then doing lots of research and then writing yet another essay!
Great idea Julian! smile
Jai
xxx
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Picture of Julian Bryant
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Julian Bryant - Friday, 14 March 2008, 04:54 PM
I think what is emerging is that this forum is a place where intellectual debate can happen, but in a mode that you guys own. Therefore to reassure you, it's not some abstract notion of essay style that matters here, but the way you all play with ideas. There's another balance to be met, which is between opinion and knowledge. Knowledge is what other people have said and are saying - hence the research angle.
Happy posting - make it yours!
Julian
by Eleanor Bailey - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:10 PM
The slightly sarcastic and threatening title will be explained but first forgive the essay-esque form of this post. Unlike some of my piers I don’t have the confidence to plough on writing wherever my thoughts take me secure in the knowledge that what I’m saying is either coherent or relevant.
To quote someone else’s post “writing on a forum is a much more free and expressive form of academia” A beautiful and most likely prophetic sentence but for me in reference to this particular forum it doesn’t quite ring true.
I agree in the world wide web there are forums a plenty where you can log on post your opinions safe in the knowledge that it will not impact on your everyday life and this encourages people to write more freely and with more passion than their fleshy counterparts would otherwise.
With this one it is not exactly the case, we don’t have the luxury of anonymity here, our ability to create another persona, one where we are able to freely express ourselves without any fear of repercussion has been taken away. For most of us we see each other every day and regardless of what people may think this affects the way we respond to posts as this person is no longer a faceless entity.
To some extent it’s brilliant as we cannot hide behind cute and flippant usernames such as rosiecheeks2000, instead its “this is me and this is what I have to say” and at least for me its forced made me think clearly and laterally to create a clear/structured argument/point even if I haven’t written much till now.
Yet it’s also inhibited me to freely express myself and maybe for others as well I don’t know. The notion of “Pier criticism” and learning through your piers is, I believe, one of the most effective ways of learning but it is also one of the most daunting. To willingly put yourself out there and prepare to be judged takes a lot of confidence and I’ve noticed some have thrown themselves into it more than others, treating as a kind of duel with an almost aggressive air to some people’s writing.
The reference to Big Brother comes from the feeling of being constantly monitored through the forum of what we say or more importantly don’t say
(in my case anyway) both by our piers and our tutors. The way we’re all informed every time there is a new post it’s like we’re all each others “thought police” (reference from 1984 not some stupid thing I’ve made up) able to immediately read and judge what one of thinks/believes. As soon as someone post we all temporarily become Big Brother, a silent ever looming/omnipresent danger which could strike at any time.
The use of smiley faces as people’s profile pictures also reminds me of the Big Brother emblem or countless of symbols used throughout history, something on the surface which is seemingly harmless masking the true threat that exists underneath. Pretentious, moi? Or maybe I just suffer from a heightened sense of paranoia than most people.
Basically what I’m trying to say that there is an underlying menace/potential threat that goes with the forum inhibiting the free flow on information/communication/learning rather than opening it up to a new level.
Saying this, with the introduction of this forum and the discussion of cyberspace now being an integral part of our social development and with the constant need for new innovative technologies for faster and more immediate communication. This for me relates back to the old debate about the dilemna of the human condition.
To get deep for a minute man is inherently a lonely and afraid, searching for any distraction from the ultimate fear of being truly alone. Along came the internet and provided the perfect vehicle to distract ourselves from our insecurities. Human contact, albeit virtual, became readily accessible 24 hours a day.
The discussion threads on Facebook, Myspace and Youtube with their rising importance in popular culture and their now being an integral part to people’s lives, to me prove this. These sites allow people to feel constantly linked to others, allowing people to share their feelings, opinions and People bear their souls for all to see. The way such sites as Facebook display any alterations on anyone’s profile whether it is your love life, recently added photos etc in an alarmingly efficient way keeps everyone constantly updated with your life.
In a very long winded way perhaps what I’m trying to say is that we create Big Brother like scenarios in which we allow people a completely unfiltered view into our lives in exchange for the feeling of being accepted or connected to another human being even for just a short amount of time?
That’s me done, I know some of you are waiting for this, so go on play Big Brother its actually quite fun.
I’ll leave you with a quote, not sure what this specifically relates too but somehow seems relevant.
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you'd thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you've never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it's as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.”
Reference Points
“1984” by George Orwell
“The History Boys” Allan Bennett
But my main reference was all you guys, learnt much more about “Culture” than from reading any articles or books.
Kudos to you and Julian, wicked idea wish I’d have played more.
Edit | Delete | Reply
Picture of Aimee Hulme
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Aimee Hulme - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:31 PM
I agree with alot of what you are saying but who says we can't hide behind a persona on here, yes clearly it says our name but we can use the opinons of research and quotes to hide what our real view maybe?
Also linking to Kieron's post can we not just type it up and cut and paste into here from word therefore giving us a good opputunity to change how we may really talk.
I agree that some people do find it easier to post and I personally am not concious of raising my voice (thanks to those nodding along) but i am aware that others are but part of the fun of this is letting people see into your lives.
Who can say they havn't wondered why someone got a better grade then them and this could be becuase we couldn't see what they have written in thier evaulation and/or essay. This allows us too learn from our peers like you Said Ellie - we do learn the best from our peers criticism
We all fear what people think about us and thier is nothing that you can do, only do your best. After a discussion with Kieron about the Forum, we both said that it got us thinking, it was refreshing to be able to read and think instead of the boring essay style- where you are soley comsumed by working on your own.
Do we not have discussion like this in real life?? Is that not what Big brother is? analysis each other in the real world...judging the other people we see just passing in the street.
Show parent | Edit | Split | Delete | Reply
Picture of Sarah Miller
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Sarah Miller - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:44 PM
Unsure of which subject to post this in, I am going to use both Ellie’s “Big Brother” post and Kieron’s “Cyberspace” post as my two points of reference.
Kieron mentioned in his first post how people write in this forum “pretending to be someone else” – in saying this he has touched upon something which has been one of my main concerns in this project, and links in closely with Jordan’s post in which he (I suppose) questions the need for the work we are doing to be submitted online rather than in essay form. For people who are less conscious of raising their voice this perhaps not a problem, but for those who are less opinionated it can been quite daunting to share their own opinions quite so openly.
When we first received this brief it seemed as though the format of a forum would make the project more approachable. For me however it has had the opposite effect, and has made me more aware of what I am writing in the knowledge that my work is being read by not only my tutor, but also my peers (as touched on by Ellie). I have found that I have been reading other people’s posts and trying to write in a similar fashion to them, in fear that they have understood the idea of cultural theory more than I have, or that my understanding of the topic is not correct in comparison to them.
Ellie sees a tutor monitoring our posts as a form of Big Brother type interference (if that is the correct way to put it), but I can also see it as an advantage, as it allows us to be corrected if we are working along the wrong lines, and to be given the opportunity to improve upon our work and make it more suitable to meet the brief. When looked at like this, is the knowledge that we are being listened to really so daunting?
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Picture of jessica davey
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by jessica davey - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:59 PM
I agree with Sarah that the knowledge that our peers our reading what we post is making us more aware of the way that we are writing or how many references we have made to how long the post is that we have done. But while it was meant to cause healthy comparision and debate within our year group i think that everyone has made it more of a competition to how others write, or how many quotes they can get into a post, where it was put to us in the brief it isnt always about who you are quoting from but understanding and responding to the presented arguement.
I will admit that i have been very aware of how i have been writing on here and will not by my own admission reply to certain students as i feel inadequate to reply or feel they are too much of a big personality in our year group to then further the talk when i see them around college. If this was an anmionous forum where others couldnt see who was replying to who i feel this may have been better and not created this pressured environment in which to make a certain number of posts, when these are relyed back to our college email to see who has posted and who hasnt with how many words they have posted or not as the case may be.
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Picture of Kt Milne
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Kt Milne - Friday, 8 February 2008, 03:53 PM
Firstly, Aimee, i was nodding!
Secondly, Ellie, i said this to you face and to prove my point i will add it here, i think you are a little paranoid.
I feel that your whole arguement against this forum is based on your own view that you dont want to be judged by others. As you put it you dont have the confidence to express your views without that security of anonymity. However i have heard your opinions on many topics, i have seen you contribute in classes and i have judged the things you have said. Sometimes ive agreed and sometimes i haven't. This hasnt changed my overall opinion of you and although you have opened yourself up to greater analysis by having your thoughts written down for people to come back to you have not faced any greater risk by entering them on this forum than by venturing them in a classroom envrionment.
You have also contradicted yourself in saying that you are writing in an essay style because in fact later into the post you become more relaxed in your style. Your opinions and your passion about them should not be something you are afraid to express because;
"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit."
-- Mary Lou Retton
Show parent | Edit | Split | Delete | Reply
Picture of Julian Bryant
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Julian Bryant - Monday, 18 February 2008, 08:20 AM
Fascinating paradox here. You're all degree students, and it sounds as if you're just realising what that means. You are all engaed in what others have aclled the "knowledge project". It's not enough just to be skillful; you also need to be aware of your skill, and to be prepared to hold and share opinions. This is a key attribute of a graduate, and one that will stand you in great stead for the rest of your life. I'll reiterate and expand the quote I put in the email to everyone -
My own reading at the moment is a sociologist called Richard Sennett, writing about the importance of craftsmanship. "I make two contentious arguments: first, that all skills, even the most abstract, begin as bodily practices; second, that technical understanding develops through powers of the imagination. ..... The argument about imagination begins by exploring a language that attempts to direct and guide bodily skill. This language works best when it shows imaginatively how to do something" (Sennett, R: The Crafsman. London, Allen Lane, 2008 p10)
Regarding Big Brother - what, moi? - let's imagine that we are sharing in a community of practice, and that I'm just an old fart who's been around the block a bit. Who knows, we might make it happen. By the way, there's a sense in which you, and society, pay me to help you develop.
Show parent | Edit | Split | Delete | Reply
Picture of Ceri Payne
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Ceri Payne - Thursday, 13 March 2008, 01:14 AM
While I'm on here and I seem to be in full swing - i would like to add my two pennies on a slant on the original topic proposed by Ellie.
This is a question posed to Julian mainly but i would like to see if i'm alone in this.
Personally, with me, when it comes to writing essays or presentations. I spend forever fine-tooth combing through the Syntax and spelling until its perfect.
On here, it feel it is suppose to more of a free flowing place of discussion, and conversations started on here have transposed into real world discussions with Jai and Spencer and vice-versa.
But now looking through the above posts and the other topics posts i suddenly feels a little less, intellectual - my post are researched and thought through but not as well presented as many of these have been.
Julian, what did you expect from this forum, is it our research?, our ideas?, our passion?, or our language?, our punctuation?, spelling or syntax etc etc..
that we are marked upon?,
I understand that as a degree level student my work is supposed to be of a high standard, however i'm saying that here i have been more loose and free flowing with my posts and i feel this is a excellent idea, however should i have treated it as more of a essay style of writing?
How does everyone else feel about this?
Show parent | Edit | Split | Delete | Reply
Picture of Jamie Howell-Griffith
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Jamie Howell-Griffith - Thursday, 13 March 2008, 09:19 PM
On reading Ceri's post I have to say I had the same sort of thinking/worry about the forum. We know we are being graded on this so do we write in a way that is suitable for grading like we all do with our essays and evaluations or is it supposed to be a completely different type of thing where we can be more relaxed when it comes to word count, puncation etc...
I find that with this online forum that I can be more honest and if it makes any sense more me in what I say and how I say/write it instead of saying all the right words and making sure the puncation and things are absolutely correct with mininium mistakes! Also, on reading Ceri's point of everytime we do a essay do you read through it so it's perfect Ceri isn't the only one in this I have found that even if I have written the essay, I have made sure everything is spelt right and even got someone from my flat etc to read it through and for them to say it's fine I still feel like it need's perfecting in a way.
I have to say, personally, when it comes to this forum I feel like I am not exactly one of the top posters as my topic on "Queer Theory" didn't get many responses and also it wasn't intellectually written as many other post's have been! Does this make me less intellectual then others?
Also I think the online forum in my own opinion was a fantastic idea because we have been able to be ourselves and talk as ourselves and have a big group debate and I have found the whole experience so much more creatively stimluating then doing lots of research and then writing yet another essay!
Great idea Julian! smile
Jai
xxx
Show parent | Edit | Split | Delete | Reply
Picture of Julian Bryant
Re: Big Brother is watching you
by Julian Bryant - Friday, 14 March 2008, 04:54 PM
I think what is emerging is that this forum is a place where intellectual debate can happen, but in a mode that you guys own. Therefore to reassure you, it's not some abstract notion of essay style that matters here, but the way you all play with ideas. There's another balance to be met, which is between opinion and knowledge. Knowledge is what other people have said and are saying - hence the research angle.
Happy posting - make it yours!
Julian
Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 2:15 PM