>
>
> From: "tokyo dog" tokyodog@...
>
>Some questions for thought and discussion
>
>1) What is it about Japan history and samurai history that seems to
>foster over-romanticizing and wild historical inaccuracies?
>
>
This is not limited to Japan, the 'Wild West' and other periods have
this issue as well. I call it the 'Sir Walter Scott' effect though it
goes back even further in history than that.
>2) Can we "market" the samurai list in such a way that the purpose of
>the list is better communicated to list members and potential members? How
>can we better communicate our purpose as discussion of serious (but fun)
>Japan history, as opposed to discussion of the ninja crowd, or video game
>aficionados, or martial artists, or manga?
>
>
Give them to Tony along with a flensing knive? Change the group name to
something so obscure that nobody can find it? Force people to take a
langauge test showing that they can write in their native tongue? Have
them prove that they have read the FAQ? We have moderators when it comes
down to extremes.
>4) Can we create a discussion environment where we encourage more open
>free discussion without intimidation, and yet still raise the level of
>discourse?
>
>
That requires communication both ways. Some people require an
application of brute force for this to occur. I haven't found the 'beat'
key on my computer yet, but if I ever do, I'm going back to books!
Jim Eckman