re: what kinds of exchanges: a playground for loose constructs

Brian Gaines (gaines@cpsc.ucalgary.ca)
Sun, 30 Jun 1996 18:41:54 -0700

The mailbase definition of the PCP list is:-

"This list is concerned to offer both a forum for the discussion of Personal
Construct Psychology, in terms of the theoretical and methodological concerns
of this discipline, and an analysis of the relationship between this discipline
and other perspectives within the social sciences."

The text mailed to all those who join is:-

"As outlined in the list description this list is concerned to offer both a
forum for the discussion of Personal Construct Psychology, in terms of the
theoretical and methodological concerns of this discipline, and an analysis
of the relationship between this discipline and other perspectives within
the social sciences. Beyond this there are no firm guidlines as to how this
list should proceed. List members should feel free to initiate discussion
of any areas they feel will be relevant to the list.

A final point, new members are encouraged to send a brief synopsis of their
work or interests to the list by way of introduction (this is not mandatory
but does offer useful information to other members)."

This text substantiates both Jim's remarks that anyone contributing
should have a good knowledge of PCP (else how can they discuss it),
and Lois' that the list is open to anyone to initiate a discussion
(but, presumably, with the parameters of the list definition).

Part of the problem of communication through list servers is that much of
the normal background to discourse is missing -- you cannot see if someone
is making a provocative remark as rhetorical device, whether it is ignorance,
or whether it is a statement to be taken at face value (or many other
possibilities) and it can take a number of exchanges to find out. Meanwhile
the dialog can get somewhat confused.

Many list servers post an FAQ with their terms of reference and list of
relevant resources on a regular basis, usually once a month. Maybe we
should do that. I believe it was discussed at NAPCN96 and that there is
some plan to put together such a document.

b.

Dr Brian R Gaines Knowledge Science Institute
University of Calgary
gaines@cpsc.ucalgary.ca Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
403-220-5901 Fax:403-284-4707 http://ksi.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/KSI

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