Peggy Schultz tried to send this messge to the list-serv several hours ago,
but our e-mail system appears to have crashed.  I'm trying again, as will
Liz Rykert from outside of OPC.  Peggy has asked some important questions
about how we will communicate, to listen and hear using the technology. Now
if only we could get our system to help us do it!  - Alison
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_____________________________

 Friday, June 28, 1996 1:38PM

First of all - good luck, to our facilitators, Alison Stirling and Liz
Rykert as they soon head to the CPHA conference in Vancouver to deliver
their workshop on computer-mediated communication (CMC) in health promotion.


I found myself identifying with much of JM Dupont's discussion about virtual
and real time - especially as it relates to the discussions of this
list-serv.  I wonder if "time" is the issue or whether the discussion topics
have limited relevance to participants, since the volume of response seems
to have lessened.

But if we, as health promoters, are to consider our place as "knowledge
workers" - to become more "intelligent and responsive" we need to be able to
have meaningful conversations via computer.  How do we know or, ensure that
there is listening and understanding (much of which we have to do as health
promoters - but often face-to-face etc).  How do we pay attention to what is
not spoken ?  I think this will take practice (as does dialogue in the real
world) and I still assume there is a powerful vehicle here which health
promoters can take into the 21st century .  I think that is the challenge -
that we  must figure out how to use this technology with its potential -
rather than being swept along by it.  Sam Lafranco's work helps to bring
focus to this "transforming" capacity through the use of virtual space.  The
technology can amplify the opportunity or it can reflect the dysfunctional
patterns.  Health promoters will, live, work and communicate in the virtual
and real world.

AND, then there is the question of access and equity in cyberspace...this is
not assured and I will end here.

Peggy Schultz
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