Please keep it going Anita,
It is of immeasurable value, and while these discussions might seem
tedious sometimes, they are part of the didactic process and do play an
important role in developing a consensus about what it is we are doing.
If it is to be democratic (which I don't necessarily assume) then the
tone of many responses might push the list to broaden or narrow its
scope and definitions. If it is to be determined by the list moderator
that it should go in one way rather than another, then the members will
make their own decisions about whether to stick with it, join other
lists, or set up their own.
The Marco Polo thing might have originally been off topic, but if it
leads to reconsidering where the discipline is going, and what fields of
investigation have importance in archaeology, then it serves a purpose.
Perhaps there is a generational change going on, where the pioneers of
the discipline are handing over to a new group with different
perceptions and priorities.
Gary Vines
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Anita Cohen-Williams
Sent: Tuesday, 31 March 2009 9:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Should HISTARCH continue?
Considering all the discussion around whether or not Marco Polo should
be included in a discussion of Historical Archaeology (i.e.
archaeology of the modern world, 1400 forward), I am wondering if I
should continue running HISTARCH.
I have been running this discussion list alone since 1994 without pay
from any source, as a labor of love. I am not a professor nor librarian
in any university, the SHA does not pay me (although they do use this
forum), and I am not an employee of any governmental agency.
Nor am I paid to run ArchaeoSeek, although several people have stepped
up and donated monies for the $20 a month that it costs.
In light of that, and the fact that, while I do keep an eye on the
discussions and attempt to keep them on topic, this list is NOT
moderated nor censored. Considering the current tone of this latest
discussion, I am wondering if it all was a waste.
--
Anita Cohen-Williams
Organic SEO and Social Media Marketing
http://www.mysearchguru.com
Twitter: @searchguru
Listowner of HISTARCH
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