Pat wrote
>The thread title says it all -- except what
>would we like the ng to do for us? Is there
>a point to having a women-in-biology newsgroup?
>Or is 'women in biology' really not a useful
>grouping -- are we more interested in entomologists'
>or physiologists' newsgroups? What newsgroups do
>we find useful, and why?
>>I'm assuming this is our ng and we could make it
>into something we find useful or amusing. Right now
>it seems to be very decorous, sort of like
>a polite tea-party to which only five or six people
>have shown up. Five or six people make for a small
>party, but they can form a lively conspiracy, strike
>force, writer's group, or jug band -- can't we come up
>with something fun to do on our very own newsgroup?
>>Pat
After reading Pat's note, I realized that I started reading and
writing to this newsgroup as a graduate student. Years later (yes
Susan, it's been THAT long!) I'm now a faculty member, and I still
look forward to the discussions here and find them just as pertinent
and valuable. Over the years I've come to accept the ebb and flow of
the group-sometimes (like at the beginning of a term-now) it's very
quiet. Other times I have trouble keeping up with the postings. But
the impact of the newsgroup is NOT reflected in the number of
postings. I can't tell you how many times I've met people at
meetings (in areas as diverse as plant biology, microbiology, and
research ethics) who say-"I read your post on women-in-bio" or "I
loved the discussion about X". In only one case had the person
making the remark ever posted something her or himself (we have a lot
of closet male readers). So I always try and remember that I am not
posting to 5 people, but to hundreds, and that the impact is often
far greater than we expect.
I read other newsgroups in my discipline, but this is the only
newsgroup that really deals with the social/political issues of being
a woman in science. And now that I'm a faculty member, the number of
female peers I have to talk to in my department don't even total
pat's five or six person party.
I don't see a problem with the newsgroup-it's served me well for at
least six years and continues to challenge and inform. It is exactly
what you make of it-as the charter says-if you don't like what you
see posted here, start a thread. Digging through the archives of the
newsgroup is always an eye opener-there are threads from the past
that could start all over again with a fresh insight, having lain
dormant for several years. Just please don't bring back Mr. Chen for
those of you who remember that episode :).
A satisfied customer,
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Julia Frugoli
Asst. Professor
Biological Sciences
Clemson University
132 Long Hall
Clemson, SC 29634
PHONE (864) 656-1859
FAX (864) 656-0435
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