On 04-23-98, ELVIS HARGROVE most eloquently expounded thus to JIM SANDERS:
> ->     Do you think it is worth the time and effort to keep
> -> Aviation and Flying conferences alive?
> 
> AVIATION though will be here as long as *I* am and there's a Fidonet to
> 
> -> Are there comments from anyone else?  I try to keep updates
> 
> -> of interest but get very little or no feedback.
> 
> my true convictions)  I don't think I've damaged this conference.
> but like you say we aint exactly overwhelmed with traffic.
Howdy Elvis... and Jim Sanders...
First of all, I do not mean to offend anyone here with my two cents.
Second... no Elvis, y'haven't damaged this conference at all!
Third, since the packet ramming episode, I have been lurking and I must 
say "enjoying" Jim's news.  It's a heck of a lot of work, I'm sure.
Thanks Jim, for your devoted support of AVIATION.  You're a good old boy
from the old school, that's certain!
Fourth, since the question was posed... I would like to draw a parallel 
to this echo and a room full of people, in which there is a TV set.
When the TV is off, there is usually lively conversation.  
When the TV is turned on, conversation tends to ebb as attention is 
diverted to the 'news' and the occupants are satisfied to be 'entertained',
rather than engage in any further conversation between themselves.
I propose that there is a similarity here on the echo.  I know that 
I 'reach the end of my attention span' after reading several pages of 
history and news... sort of like laying back and being entertained,
rather than replying to any direct questions, or offering any further
spirited comment to a contributor's point.  In other words, the 'news and 
history', although very informative and entertaining, is not conducive 
to dialogue between echo participants.  As I said Jim... I really enjoy 
the posts, and I certainly don't mean to offend, but it's an obsevation 
from this end, ...since you asked.  A thousand pardons for any imprudence!
~Mitch
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