In a message dated 6/12/99 2:35:38 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

>You are leaving the field after only stating the problem.  You have
>said that direct control is a requirement to make a public university
>a socialist institution.  You have made a statement about what is
>required in the metamodel for a socialist structure, but that doesn't
>say anything about whether and how that metamodel will generate a
>socialist model.

        This involves convincing people that socialism is a worthwhile
project to attempt, building a climate of solidarity that is that allows
people to feel secure enough to attempt it, and then working out the how on a
daily basis through practical efforts on practical projects. It involves
building socialist/anarchist culture, and extending socialist/anarchist
practice into everyday life, into the relationships you are involved in
everyday.
        There are lots of practical situations where these issues arise, and
where opportunities arise to put these ideas into practice. In my case: when
dealing with colleages at work, students in the classroom, people in the
community activist groups I'm involved in, and in personal relationships.
        We aren't about to take over the university at this point, far from
it, but at my age I've lost any impatience I might have had year ago. I'm
content with making little strides at this point. I'll be perfectly charmed
if I manage to get out a newsletter for one group I work with. I'll be
delighted if I can manage to come up with, propose, and have accepted changes
to the way the food coop i belong to is governed. I'll be overcome with joy
if i can get an anarchist softball league started.
        These are my modest personal goals currently. Hopefully they will
contribute to building a different society in the long run. I shall breath
deeply while waiting. I certainly won't be holding my breathe as they say. I
wish I had nine lives. I find it very interesting.

> You state a general requirement: For a public
>university to be a socialist structure, the students, faculty, etc
>must have direct control of it.  ...but you don't say how it can be
>implemented.  You don't account for the problems it will create.  You
>have added a requirement to the metamodel and then you have left the
>field without actually building anything.

There would be problems, no doubt, but I don't want to talk about something I
have no practical experience with. I haven't attempted to have the people
seize control of a university lately.

> You get to bask in the
>cheers from all the socialists in the stands, but then you disappear
>into the locker room

What! Get those socialists out of the stands and onto the playing field!!!

>and the real work hasn't even started yet.  You
>haven't built anything from the metamodel.  You haven't produced a
>solution.
>
Well,  who knows. I might eventually get around to this university thing, but
like I say, I'm real busy at the moment, though my projects are really quite
modest. I'm only one person. I burned myself out once 15 years ago, but I was
so much older then. I'm younger than that now.

OK, so I think we're starting to bore some some of our fellow listers. Let's
leave socialism for a bit. To the showers Martin!!!

all the best,

john korber

PS: Funny reply Brett