[Web4lib] wikis in libraries

[Walter McGinnis]

I would think that people who are charged with supporting libraries  
would understand reading as a form of participation.  You shouldn't  
discount an audience member as a non-participant.  I think you vastly  
simplify the process of participation in all of your examples.  A  
student may never raise their hand in class, but after class they  
might explain the concept lectured upon to a fellow class member who  
finally grasps it as result.  This theoretical contribution was not  
seen by anyone besides the two talked outside of class, but did  
benefit the rest of the class.

I'm not saying in the real world this is what always happens, but  
that isn't my point.  My point is it's easy to get up on a high horse  
about others not "participating".  Easier than opening up your eyes  
and seeing that world is not black and white and that there are many  
ways to contribute, not just the way YOU choose to.

Cheers,
Walter McGinnis

On Oct 24, 2006, at 7:48 AM, Dan Lester wrote:

>
>
> It doesn't have anything to do with growing beyond toddler stage OR
> tech snobbery.  It is basic human behavior in all environments. How
> many members of this list ever post?  A small percentage.  The same is
> true for students raising their hand in class, people who contribute
> to a face to face meeting, and any other group environment.
>
> Even if everyone who contributed to a meeting was given a beer, a
> piece of chocolate, or something else, the majority still wouldn't do
> so.
>