Subject: Re: Political debate From: Robert Zatorre <robert.zatorre(at)MCGILL.CA> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 16:32:06 -0400--=====================_26791381==_.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed I think I have to agree with Al here. There are many appropiate forums for discussion of political issues, but this isn't one of them. I think many people tend to judge the appropiateness of this sort of thing by how much we agree with the content. Consider, for example, your reaction were someone to send a message to the list indicating that they were forming a new organization entitled "Scientists for concerted action against terrorism" and they circulated a letter suggesting that strong military action was now of the essence in light of the mass murder perpetrated last week. Would y'all be so keen on having a back-and-forth on this? And even if you are, do you think the auditory list is a good place to do it? Robert At 15:48 18/09/01 -0400, Al Bregman wrote: >Dear Colleagues, > >I think I agree with recent postings that have argued against the >use of the AUDITORY list for political organizing. The names of >all members and their e-mail addresses are available (I believe) >on the list's web page. So concerned parties could contact their >colleagues privately through individual or group mailings. > >The list is not moderated, so anybody can, in principle, post a >message about anything, and I certainly understand the intense >feelings that the New York tragedy has evoked, and the concerns >about the US administration's possible response to it (I have >taken some political action myself). > >However, given that we are not uniform in our political opinions, >and the list was set up to discuss the perception of sound, my >feeling is that this topic, and certain related professional >issues, such as ads for jobs in this area, should remain the >topic of discussion. > >Best wishes to all, > >Al > >------------------------------------------------- >Albert S. Bregman, Emeritus Professor >Dept of Psychology, McGill University >1205 Docteur Penfield Avenue >Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1 > >Office: > Phone: +1 (514) 398-6103 > Fax: +1 (514) 398-4896 >Home phone & Fax: +1 (514) 484-2592 >Email: al.bregman(at)mcgill.ca >------------------------------------------------- -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Robert J. Zatorre, Ph.D. Montreal Neurological Institute 3801 University St. Montreal, QC Canada H3A 2B4 phone: 1-514-398-8903 fax: 1-514-398-1338 e-mail: robert.zatorre(at)mcgill.ca web site: www.zlab.mcgill.ca --=====================_26791381==_.ALT Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" <html> <font size=3><br> I think I have to agree with Al here.<br> <br> There are many appropiate forums for discussion of political issues, but this isn't one of them. I think many people tend to judge the appropiateness of this sort of thing by how much we agree with the content.<br> <br> Consider, for example, your reaction were someone to send a message to the list indicating that they were forming a new organization entitled "Scientists for concerted action against terrorism" and they circulated a letter suggesting that strong military action was now of the essence in light of the mass murder perpetrated last week. Would y'all be so keen on having a back-and-forth on this? And even if you are, do you think the auditory list is a good place to do it?<br> <br> <br> Robert<br> <br> <br> At 15:48 18/09/01 -0400, Al Bregman wrote:<br> <blockquote type=cite cite>Dear Colleagues,<br> <br> I think I agree with recent postings that have argued against the<br> use of the AUDITORY list for political organizing. The names of<br> all members and their e-mail addresses are available (I believe)<br> on the list's web page. So concerned parties could contact their<br> colleagues privately through individual or group mailings.<br> <br> The list is not moderated, so anybody can, in principle, post a<br> message about anything, and I certainly understand the intense<br> feelings that the New York tragedy has evoked, and the concerns<br> about the US administration's possible response to it (I have<br> taken some political action myself).<br> <br> However, given that we are not uniform in our political opinions,<br> and the list was set up to discuss the perception of sound, my<br> feeling is that this topic, and certain related professional<br> issues, such as ads for jobs in this area, should remain the<br> topic of discussion.<br> <br> Best wishes to all,<br> <br> Al<br> <br> -------------------------------------------------<br> Albert S. Bregman, Emeritus Professor<br> Dept of Psychology, McGill University<br> 1205 Docteur Penfield Avenue<br> Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1<br> <br> Office:<br> Phone: +1 (514) 398-6103<br> Fax: +1 (514) 398-4896<br> Home phone & Fax: +1 (514) 484-2592<br> Email: al.bregman(at)mcgill.ca<br> -------------------------------------------------</font></blockquote><br> <div>-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+</div> <br> <div>Robert J. Zatorre, Ph.D.</div> <div>Montreal Neurological Institute</div> <div>3801 University St.</div> <div>Montreal, QC Canada H3A 2B4</div> <div>phone: 1-514-398-8903</div> <div>fax: 1-514-398-1338</div> <div>e-mail: robert.zatorre(at)mcgill.ca</div> <div>web site: <a href="http://www.zlab.mcgill.ca/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>www.zlab.mcgill.ca</a></div> </html> --=====================_26791381==_.ALT--