I have been hesitating whether or not to intervene in the discussion of Meta ET. I am a very recent user and I have not contributed anything so far, and I do not have ability to contribute hardly anything in the future, but I am a helpful reader user. In addition, my English is bad.
Finally, I thought that I must state my opinion:
a) ET has a level much higher than most equivalent sites, in relation to content, the level of argument, and the general tone and style. There are blogs and sites that are full of inconveniences and very inappropriate attitudes, which does not happen in ET.
b) In my opinion, ET allowed to raise all issues with a wide range: on aspects that are processed, and on space that are the subjects: Europe and the World. And an open thread for more personal exchanges.
c) I think that ET should not be a site of finishes themes, systematically treated. If you accumulate points that can be considered as "ET knowledge", they must be the result of normal development of the site itself.
d) If anyone wants to see here some issues not raised initially, everyone can introduce them as commentary or as a diary, without being prevented anyone to do so.
e) I think that we should not pretend a balance between the "technical, scientific ..." and "the cultural, humanistic ..." topics. ET is not a self-sufficient encyclopedia. Those who miss certain aspects, which included him and try.
f) To me, voluntary participation, "gratis et amore", in the realization of ET is a value, not an inconvenience. In fact, I consider that a "professionalization" is negative. That would not be ET, but "something else", I think. Do we want "personalities" write articles and editorials on specialized topics? And then the other of us say "amen"? That would be -as we say in Spain- almost "Jesuitical". To find out the views of "personalities and authorities" I am going to their sources. That is not what I'm looking for when I enter in ET.
g) Search for "agents" who "promote" our site as a saleable product strikes me as strangely inappropriate for our site. To do that is to think that ET is something else other than what it is. Do we think that we need to take more useful promotional presence in the world? As a lobby? As a think-tank from which we can take advantage? What for? Those are legitimate things, but I think that anyone wishing that he should not convert ET merely a way to do that.
h) The importance of the elections in the U.S. for the world explains that ET has an extensive treatment of the topic. All the media talk about the primary daily. Nevertheless, ET continues to treat many other points.
i) The mutual and comprehensive understanding of our respective countries can be subject to occasional diaries. But I think it should be treated in ET points that we do not find in comprehensive and specialized existing sources. The contribution that each can do on their own country is on those special and curious points which do not easily find in these specialized sources.
j) We could develop -but with help for those who are pulling ahead ET, devoting much of his time to it!- an index of treaty issues, so that new users know easily what already was treated. Anyway, see diaries lets us know this aspect. If we think there is any reason to come back to something from another perspective or that have arisen reason to revive a treaty matter, we can first floor for consideration by users.
Finally, I like ET as it is -without discarding the possibility of improving it, but without distorting it- and I thank all those who every day make possible its continuation.
Sorry, if I have exceeded or if I have not been able to make me understand. When Procrustes looks after you, you're sure to fit in.
PerCLupi:
Sorry for my English. I hope to be able to explain what I think without giving rise to confusion.
My first language is English and I worry about that just as much. I do find your comments interesting, thoughtful and informative whenever I read them in diaries. Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
(I do not know how to put emoticons) When Procrustes looks after you, you're sure to fit in.
i agree with you about professionalisation and distortion.
there must be a middle way...
the collective writing and editing of LTE's has been a good thing to see, if we want more outreach this seems like a good way to go, though i can understand people wanting the firepower here harnessed to something a little more pervasive or significant, or enduring.
plus, the fact of us sneering at them for being clueless, or worse disingenuous, doesn't mean we shouldn't want to change that by becoming the change we want to see, or as mig reminds us 'we are the ones we've been waiting for'.
growth on the internet is exponential, and quality should be more important than effect. the former is at least somewhat under our control. ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
Higher up, Pereulok said something interesting, among other things: Is there any "thinking network" on the web? ET could be one ... So I would suggest an organized ET to focus not only in the content, but on the creation process of the content, because that's what, I think, could give you all a window of opportunity, as it's the special feature of ET. When Procrustes looks after you, you're sure to fit in.
