[Tango-L] improving discussion in our forum -- sugestions

[Amaury de Siqueira]

I probably should just mind my own business and do as I have said before in other postings.... work instead of reading tango related messages.  However I see an opportunity here to help future online interactions.

The problem with text only computer mediated communication (mostly text-based applications such as chat, BBS and email) is that the medium is in itself very 'lean'.  By lean I mean we do not have other nuances such as visual and aural cues for us to interpret what someone is 'saying'.  

In such situations humans (showing remarkable adaptability) created strategies for coping with the lack of minimal cues.  Such strategies include the use of emoticons  :-) ... :-( .... ;-/ ; acronyms (LOL, IMHO, LOLAR) ; and certain writing strategies to minimize potential for misunderstandings.

Having said that... we can also really complicate communication in lean text-based communication .  Here are some approaches that do not lend themselves to constructive communication...

The use of absolute statements is not very helpful and sometimes alienating.  For example Myk writes --> 
"... must have _some_ difference"; 
" ...You cannot lead an underarm..."; 
"... All leading comes from the chest..."; and etc 

(I could go on extracting more text from the message... but this must suffice.

Another helpful hint for successful communication is to avoid complex constructs of ideas... for example our dear Chicho simply stated "not arms... just connection"... that should be enough.  I mean I don’t know you guys but I have the sense that our audience has shown over the years a certain amount of fluency and intelligence.  So there is no reason to offend the audience by repeating oneself an restating the obvious.

Finally, we should all know that the real experts seldom if ever post to the list... What I mean is that we are all AMATEURS... So we should show some humility and tone down our language and thoughts of intellectual and dance grandeur.  


Following these simple rules could help improve the quality of our discussions.

Amaury

PS:  On a side note I must note that some of these patterns of behavior are ingrained in people as a result of educational, cultural, and GENDER experiences.  So things will not change overnight ... but at least we can try. 

-----Original Message-----
From: tango-l-bounces at mit.edu [mailto:tango-l-bounces at mit.edu] On Behalf Of Myk Dowling
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 10:27 AM
To: tango-l
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] R-E-S-P-E-C-T

David Thorn wrote:
> It appears to me that both "traditional tango" and "social tango" are often used as code to mean 'close embrace all the time tango'.
> 
So what term can we use to refer to the tango that is not "nuevo tango"? 
That's what I was using "Traditional tango" for.

> Such use would seem to ignore the fact that, as has been oft noted in this list, the nuevo style of tango actually contains no "new" movements!  All modern tango movement can be found, or its roots found, in the dance of years past.  So perhaps nuevo is actually quite traditional and perhaps it is insulting to those who dance "modern tango" to be told that they are not dancing with respect for the traditions of tango.

The nuevo style must have _some_ difference, or we wouldn't be able to 
call it a distinct style. If it contains no new movements, then the 
difference would seem (in my observation) to be in the dancers' 
alignment relative to their partners' chests. Does anyone actually want 
to _discuss_ this?

> Finally, I'll mention the lead.  A good modern tango dancer nearly always leads with his chest, his core and his heart.  If my partner is to my side, I still lead with my heart and my core.  I don't ever shove her with my arms.  The arms are merely the extension of my core and provide the instantaneous connection between my heart and hers.  Yes, I do use my arms, my wrists, my fingers, but the lead is from my core.  The rest just adds nuance.  Again, it is both insulting and inaccurate to say that modern tango, when danced well, is not led with the heart and the chest.

You cannot lead an underarm turn without using your arms. (Surely that 
is obvious?) The motion and the intent still comes from the chest, but 
to claim that that's what "chest leading" means is to rob the term of 
any effective meaning. All leading comes from the chest (and the 
"heart", if you insist, but I'm really just talking about the basics) 
from one perspective. But in some dances, the arms play a greater role 
than others. It's simple fact. To guide your partner to move to your 
side (relative to your chest) and back in front can't be done just with 
the chest.

How this observation can be considered to be insulting, is what baffles 
me. I say "here is a difference I can see". And in response, I get 
people saying I'm being insulting.

What insult?

Why is perceived _difference_ an insult?

Myk
in Canberra