I take the idea of “conversation” seriously.
#phdchat Breakthrough! Noticed how these never happen when you're all alone staring at data? Only in relation to & in conversation w/others.
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anna smith (@writerswriting) February 10, 2012In fact, I just tweeted about it this week. For a whole week I was stuck trying to figure out how to frame a very small passage of my dissertation. It wasn’t until I was talking to a friend about his dissertation —> that led me to read something —> that got me thinking about a whole new framework for another section —> that I bounced off my chair in an email —> that resulted in an exchange with another regarding another project. So incredibly productive.
I actually started this blog once my first book was published—not as a publicity stunt, but because the words—and more importantly, all the ideas and conversations and teaching and learning moments those words embodied—were sitting still on those pages. I wanted to breathe them back into life. And although I can see the great number of readers and clicks and shares (thank you!), I’d love to get more of you commenting…and in turn, us conversing!
Your post has me reflecting on the way academia culture is encourages in different institutions. I think the best work is produced when people enter into a dialgoue with others during the formative process of writing. Presentation at conferences, seminars, discussions groups and so forth all help this. The better universities foster a research community that encourages these activities, but it’s largely missing in the less good ones (I’ve worked in two universities in the same city – each manifested a different aspect of that dichotomy). However, we also have to be able to trust our colleagues if we engage in this process.
Yes. Very good point. I was just working on a post about a chapter that is “in press”… and I didn’t think about posting that material until now. And I just realized that none of my posts are about my dissertation—mostly because I have been specifically warned not to do so. I have, and will in the next months, present at conferences on the topic, but when our commodity in academia is thought, posting on a blog mid-thought could be dangerous. I hadn’t really considered that.
It seems like several of those in the digital humanities have been thinking about this as well. Have you seen Dougherty’s publicly produced book http://writinghistory.trincoll.edu/ or have you been to an “unconference”? I think those are two interesting ventures to encourage more dialogue.
I’ve not, and I’ve not – but I’m going to look both of those things up now you’ve mentioned them. An unconference sounds intriuging!
I think I started my blog for the exact same reasons! Because I still needed to think–and get feedback–about the ideas that informed my book. And interestingly enough, I’ve been thinking about putting up an interactive post next week but have been a little worried about what to do if there’s no interaction. So I’ll be really interested in seeing your polling results.
I’m right there with you. Here’s to hoping more than 7 people respond to the poll!
I just came across a post with some links about why and how people comment. I thought I’d share:
Why Is No One Commenting: http://nextness.com.au/insights/why-is-no-one-commenting-on-our-blog/
Are Comments Over: http://exitcreative.net/blog/2012/02/are-comments-over/
Comments are Dead, Long Live Feedback: http://www.thefoxisblack.com/2012/04/02/after-5-years-the-fox-is-black-gets-an-upgrade/
Why No Comments: http://www.marco.org/2010/06/16/comments
I can’t say I agree. I am not ready to give up on the opportunity to converse with others about ideas that take more than 140 characters or are easier to do in person (which imposes a sad, physical limit based on routine and geography). I can just hope there are others interested in the same.