New Kid on the Block

Eric Fholer (elfholer@MAILHOST.ECN.OU.EDU)
Sat, 19 Oct 1996 19:55:11 -0500

Hello everyone! My name is Eric Fholer and I have just recently joined this
listserv(as of 10/18/96). First, a little personal background: I am living
in Norman OK while attending the Univ. of Okla. but I am from Tulsa. I am a
Christian(whoops! I've said too much, I haven't said enough, huh Bob) and I
am sure that you will hear me voice my Christian Opinion on occassion, so be
warned. I am currently enrolled in the college of engineering but because of
my composition class(which is analyzing rhetoric in scientific writing) I am
considering changing my major. This is why I have joined this list. I would
like to be one up on my class mates and maybe gain brownie points in the
class by doing some outside research, but most of all, I want to hear what
others say about this thing called rhetoric and any other relevant topics.
So, please be patient with me as I am coming into the discussions a little late.

Now, onto other topics. The first post I read was Bob's post on ethos and
ethics. However, I would like to adress Bob's complaint about the the
nonconstuctivism of this list. My composition class listserv seems to be
having the same problem. So far, the list is working fairly well as rhetoric
is concerned, and in fact, personal writng styles, including my own, have
changed because of the arguments of others. The bad thing is that out of the
32 students subscribed to the list, only about 5 or 6 of us are using it to
it's full potential. As arguments arise on the list about the material
coverded i class and on assigned readings, instead of any kind of real
formation of ideas or understanding, there is badgering and one line
personal comments concerning one someones misinterpretation. Don't get me
wrong, there are also some phenomonal ideas discussed(and I mean *really*
discussed) on the list, but only those most active on the list participate
in their formation.

Also, there are those that are least active that complain most about what is
discussed on the list. These people think that ethos is inappropriate for
the list, something that Bob adressed in his most recent post.

Now onto arguing: arguing for the sake of arguing is nonconstuctive and most
of us can do without it, but arguing for the sake of understanding is a good
thing, and is something that I enjoy, so give me something to dissent against!

Also, has anyone read "Science in Action" by Bruno Latour? If so, let me
know what you think about it.

Until later, adios amigos. Ericus of Normanopolis

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The convoluted wording of legalisms grew up around the necessity to hide
from ourselves the
violence we intend toward each other. Between depriving a man of one
hour from his life and
depriving him of his life there exists only a difference of degree. You
have done violence to him,
consumed his energy. Elaborate euphemisms may conceal your intent to kill,
but behind any use of
power over another the ultimate assumption remains:
"I feed on your energy."

- Addenda to Orders in Council
The Emperor Paul Muad'dib

Eric Fholer<elfholer@mailhost.ecn.ou.edu>

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